Hiromi McPhail
Founder and Head Instructor
Born in Japan in 1968.
In 1989, Hiromi married her then diplomat husband and moved to Canada. They have two daughters, a son, and two grandchildren.
Wellness Instructor
In 1999, Hiromi began her career as a fitness instructor, working in aquafitness, pilates, personal trainer, tai chi, qigong, and other forms of wellness that transcend the boundaries of East and West. Institutions include the Ottawa Community Medical Center, Algonquin College, the Ottawa Board of Education, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
In 2007, she founded Aging Gracefully Ottawa and has taught Chair Tichi, Chair Yoga, Zumba Gold, and Aqua Zumba classes at a total of 25 retirement homes.
In 2020, she quickly adapted online classes in the midst of the Corona pandemic, and now her zoom lessons are popular classes that attract students from all over the world (Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, the U.S., and Canada). Students include pianists, violinists, opera singers, translators, architects, photographers, writers, politicians, police officers, diplomats, tai chi instructors, and yoga instructors. She is also a personal instructor for students with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses.
Cultural Activities (Connecting Japan and Canada)
As a wellness instructor, Hiromi’s activities are not limited to teaching fitness, but also include guiding tours for Japanese tourists visiting Ottawa for the past 15 years (places attended: Algonquin Park, Ottawa, Mont Tremblant, Montreal, Quebec City). She has appeared twice as a fitness instructor and commentator on Rogers TV, which focuses on international students in Ottawa. She loves to experience other cultures first hand and learn from traveling, and has traveled to more than 20 countries.
Her long-standing interest in Japanese culture is evident not only in her efforts to help establish the Ottawa chapter of Canada Yosakoi Team Kaede, but also in the Japan tours she has organized for wellness class participants in 2019 and 2020.
Hiromi has been studying ikebana under MASAYO GARDNER, who attains Teacher’s Diploma 1st Grade Jonin Somu (Flower Name: Shin En). Hiromi Also participated in the Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition "Ikebana In Motion" organized by the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa, 2021.
Community Builder (Enjoy Ottawa)
In 2016,Hiromi started a Japanese walking group which has become a gathering place for new immigrants (Issei) of Japanese descent who are often isolated in Ottawa.
Before the Corona pandemic, Hiromi organized a one day wellness fair in the summers of 2020 and 2021. Also in the winter of 2021, a gallery/cafe focused on the work of female artists living in Ottawa was organized with ARITAcafe. Beginning in 2022, Aging Gracefully Ottawa has pledged to donate 10% of its annual revenue to local groups working for health and peace.
From 2021, she has been distributing YouTube videos in both English and Japanese under the motto "Life and body given from heaven, let's be responsible until the end and cherish (life) more".
As seen in the word and expression "Old," aging tends to be perceived negatively in today's society, but she has been vigorously working to spread the message that "aging gracefully," is a form of utmost gratitude for the preciousness of life, and a way of life that allows one to experience happiness.
Our Instructors
Barbara Mackie
Certified Yoga Teacher (White Lotus foundation, California)
Barbara has been leading yoga classes for 15 years, and has come to regard yoga practice as the best companion for life. Her interest in the physical postures gradually evolved into a deeper understanding that yoga helps us develop not only strength and steadiness in the body, but in the mind and spirit as well.
Barbara aims to to encourage students to modify poses on a constant basis, then find peace or patience or perhaps some humor in whatever shape comes up!
Andrew Gill
Certified Seniors' Fitness Instructor (Canadian Centre for Activity, Aging and SPI)
Andrew has been working as a personal trainer and a fitness instructor for over 20 years, helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. His aim is to motivate people to participate in regular activity.
He also offers private tennis lessons.
Gloria Goodine
Certified Fitness InstruCertified Fitness Instructor, YMCA/World Bank, Washington, D.C., U.S.A
Certified Tai Chi Instructor in 24 Forms, Wu Shu Tai Chi Federation, Barbados
Certified Tai Chi Instructor, Basic Forms, Tai Chi Training, Ottawa, Canada
Certified Qi Gong Beginners Instructor, Lamas Qi Gong Association of Canada
Certified in Emergency First Aid, CPR/AED, Canadian Red Cross
Membership, Holistic Chamber of Commerce, U.S.A
Membership, the Council on Aging of Ottawa, Canada
Membership in IDEA, (International Dance/Education Association) and International Association of Fitness Professionals U.S.A; Membership in the Sacred Dance Guild of Canada
Originally from Hong Kong, Gloria has over 40 years' experience in the fitness industry. She has been fortunate to use this knowledge by teaching while living in many parts of the world - North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia. Gloria enjoys different forms of movement, from aerobics, belly dancing, SharingDance (an annual Canada Day dance performed at the National Arts Centre by seniors, and sponsored by the National Ballet School of Canada), as well as Sacred Dance, and is currently teaching Tai Chi to different age groups. She especially enjoys teaching seniors and encourages them to have fun while doing it! As a holistic practitioner, Gloria promotes her wellness program -SHIELD(which stands for S-sleep, H-handle stress, l-interaction, E-exercise, L-life-long learning, and D-diet) in order to assist others to integrate this approach into their own wellness. She strongly believes in a balanced lifestyle and continues to share this philosophy wherever she can.
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Yuko Suzuki
Certified Vinyasa Flow Yoga Instructor (Ashtanga Yoga Ottawa)
Certified Yin Yoga Instructor (Yoga with Kassandra)
YogaFit Sweat Instructor (YogaFit)
Certified Taichi and chair-Taichi Instructor (Aging Gracefully with Hiromi)
Certified Cosmic Healing I (Tao Center)
Standard CPR, First Aid and AED CertifiedTrained in Senior Fitness Instructor Training (CCAA)
Certified MY AGO (Aging Gracefully Ottawa)
Yuko’s journey to fitness and wellness began in 2003 when she first encountered Hatha yoga in Spain while working in a corporate world. She continued her practice in Japan and Canada, and was first certified as a 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga instructor in 2016 and then Hot and Yin yoga in 2019. She has been teaching in group, corporate and online environment as well as taking on private clients.
She has trained with Hiromi and was certified as a Taichi and a chair Taichi instructor in 2019.
Also she has taken the certification training for Fitness for Seniors, and is learning and teaching Qigong.
Yuko believes that physical practice of Yoga and Taichi can cultivate calm and stable mind, and over time guide you to meditative state.
She is passionate about providing safe practice for variety of age group in the welcoming environment.
She is looking forward to sharing the immense benefit of Taichi with you.
Ayumi Middleton
Certified MY AGO (Aging Gracefully Ottawa)
Ayumi has 10 years of experience working at a preschool and kindergarten, as well as 3 years as a sports instructor for both children and adults. Currently, she is teaching Chair Tai Chi for active individuals, helping them embrace graceful aging. She finds great joy in seeing smiles and happiness after her classes. "Let’s age gracefully together!"
Enmanuel Manzanilla
"I find joy in teaching aqua fitness to seniors, whose energy and spirit brighten every session. Their enthusiasm and dedication inspire me daily, making our time together truly rewarding."
Ryoko Itabashi
Certified MY AGO (Aging Gracefully Ottawa)
" I like to move my body every day, and hope to share this enjoyment and the importance of exercise with others. I want to be happier and healthier with everybody! "
Join Us Today
The Aging Gracefully Ottawa is always looking for talented and energetic instructors to join our team!
If you are interested in becoming the member of the Aging Gracefully Ottawa staff, simply send your resume to Hiromi McPhail at
aginggracefullyottawa@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to meeting you!