YMCA of Greater Toronto & Aga Khan Museum partner to offer mindfulness and educational sessions

Two charities join forces to bring well-being to the community in innovative ways

The YMCA of Greater Toronto and the Aga Khan Museum have partnered to offer a series of mindfulness and educational programs for the community. As leaders in programming with a focus on inclusion and diversity, this partnership is a natural fit for both organizations. We are eager to bring community members together in innovative ways to support overall health and well-being.

Now that Ontario is in Stage 3 of its Roadmap to Reopen, the YMCA and the Aga Khan Museum will offer both in-person and online mindfulness classes. Educational sessions hosted by Aga Khan Museum curators will be offered virtually through the YMCA’s online community for older adults, The Bright Spot, and the Museum’s virtual museum, #MuseumWithoutWalls.

Mindfulness sessions offered through this partnership aim to provide participants with a peaceful and serene means of practising mindfulness meditation, a method of meditation that combines “probing for inner truth” with physical relaxation. The educational sessions available through The Bright Spot and #MuseumWithoutWalls will take viewers on a virtual exploration of the Aga Khan Museum with specialized museum curators. These sessions will explore displays, collections, objects and more in interactive and engaging ways.

“This is a really exciting partnership for the YMCA of Greater Toronto. As we continue building new relationships with organizations that have similar values and goals like the Aga Khan Museum, we’re able to deliver new, innovative and original programming to our shared communities,” said President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto, Medhat Mahdy. “At a time when a return to normalcy is in sight, we’re offering both virtual and in-person programming to help improve people’s overall health and well-being.”

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, people have looked to the YMCA of Greater Toronto and the Aga Khan Museum for solace, inspiration, and opportunities to stay connected,” said the Museum’s Director and CEO, Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis. “By partnering together, our two organizations will touch even more lives with programs that promote inner peace and contemplation, spark curiosity, and strengthen community bonds.”

• Educational classes start on September 1, 2021 on The Bright Spot.


• Mindfulness classes are available through the Virtual Y (via the Sweat For Good app), and The Bright Spot.


• The next mindfulness session happening at the Aga Khan Museum will be on August 18, 2021 at 10 am. If you are a member of the YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Virtual Y is included in your membership. If you’re not a member and want access to the virtual Y, sign up here.