It All Started 14 Years Ago — by Lenke Sifko
Our eleventh TOPS 'Back Stories’ guest blog feature writer is Lenke Sifko, Board Member of the Twisted Outreach Project for Back Care & Scoliosis, and Director of Extended Learning at Langara College in Vancouver. Lenke details her experience at this year’s TOPS Board retreat at Open Heart Mind Centre, and how the location and experience forever changed her.
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A few words from a long-term TOPS Board member
Fourteen years ago, Martha Carter launched Twisted Outreach Project for Back Care & Scoliosis (TOPS) as an extension of her existing non-profit and on the heels of performing her amazing work titled TWiSTED : Solo, which toured in different venues across Canada, detailing her personal journey with scoliosis through dance, music and visuals.
A couple of years ago, Martha began development on her latest vision: a retreat centre on Vancouver Island, a ‘home’ for TOPS workshops & retreats—a gathering place for healing, movement, connection and support—called OHM Centre.
As for me, I've been a member of the TOPS Board of Directors since the beginning. Our role as Board members is to support Martha with ongoing TOPS activities and participate with envisioning directions of growth and development for TOPS. Of course, we have fun along the way, and dream up ideas, including coming together once a year online or in-person.
This year, the TOPS Board was invited for a 3-day/2-night retreat at the newly completed OHM Centre.
There are some places that are simply unforgettable. As I wander along the road of my life, I still remember many impactful places and moments years later. I believe OHM Centre in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island is now one of those places.
As I arrive, I immediately feel immersed in the beautiful surroundings. This is a place to create memories; a place where the quiet of nature nurtures; a place where the support of beautiful architectural spaces provides safe, soulful reflection. At its core, OHM is Martha’s vision to create a special place for people to gather - to learn, transform and share. And it occurs to me that she got it right!
At OHM, I had the opportunity to not only reconnect with myself, reflecting and remembering how I got here and think about where I want to go; I also had the pleasure of experiencing some classes with Martha, who skillfully and soulfully guided me through the story of my life - the story that lives in my body.
Back to my arrival… I head down the road to the Alders Beach Resort—oceanside cabins close to OHM Centre—after dark to meet the rest of the retreat group. One of the highlights of the Board weekend is to spend meaningful time with the others on the amazing team who support Twisted Outreach Project. We get to hang out in this incredible, healing setting while discussing our mission to offer back care, scoliosis and spinal fusion education resources, including bringing internationally-renowned therapeutic specialists to OHM Centre—and brainstorm about the year ahead for TOPS. Yes, I know what you might be thinking, I am very lucky to have this opportunity. Don’t worry, that thought does not escape me for a moment.
Now settled into my room, after a quick freshen up, there was the welcome dinner, which happened to be in my cabin (I know, I know, how convenient is that!). An incredible spread of healthy, colourful, deliciously fragrant food, created by a local caterer and gorgeously lined up along the long table, assuring me that this was guaranteed to be an unforgettable feast — and it was!
After a lovely evening of connecting and reconnecting with my retreat partners, it was off to sleep. As a city dweller, I cannot adequately describe how much my soul releases with pure darkness and quiet. It’s the first night, and already I feel a deep sense of relaxation.
The morning light creeps in to wake me; refreshed, I wander out to the kitchen. Immediately, I stop in my tracks as another feast for the eyes washes over me. This time, not food, but the most incredible ocean view. Of course, I promptly fill my travel tumbler with coffee and hit the beach, just steps away.
Walking along the shore that morning, watching the dance of herons and waves, I thought about Martha’s somatic yoga class that I would be soon attending. I knew it would be in the yurt studio down the road. I had no idea what an amazing experience I was about to have.
Arriving at the gates of the OHM Centre property is its own unforgettable moment. Driving along the picturesque wooded driveway to the Centre, I felt as though the trees were sweeping away any residual stress that my perfect sleep and morning ocean walk may have missed. I rounded the last turn and parked, hopped out of the car, and walked toward the guesthouse and yurt studio. Once again, an expanse of ocean greeted me, but this time from high up; the horizon seems endless.
It was the end of November and, admittedly, I wondered what it would be like to take a yoga class in a yurt at that time of year. I am not a fan of the cold, preferring comfortable, dry warmth in the winter. Much to my joy, I entered a cozy yet stunningly expansive round room. We were seven students, plus Martha, and there was room for as many more. The fireplace warmed the space—and the floors are heated! What a luxury to lie on a heated floor.
We laid out mats, bolsters, chairs, and slings. The space held the gentle hum of informal chatter; a few laughs, and slowly we all sunk into our mats, as Martha started the class. With a mix of breath, play, guided self-awareness, and bits of education to inform the process, Martha masterfully led us through a gentle somatic movement practice. Together, we explored our individual experiences of expansion, contraction, length, flexibility, and breath. The joy of being in a class where there was no ‘right and wrong’, or ‘experienced and inexperienced’, is profoundly validating. I simply felt… me.
Following class, now that we were relaxed and open, we enjoyed a tasty lunch, and then all jumped into a TOPS brainstorming session. There is a heightened level of enjoyment and inspiration when the TOPS Board gathers with Martha, in person, to engage in visionary, blue sky, and aspirational conversations about TOPS’ accomplishments to date and what is possible for the future. Later, we all headed off for beach walks and naps before gathering again for dinner and a social evening.
And then we got to do this all over again the next day including more delicious meals and inspiring meetings. When it was all over, I was not ready to leave OHM Centre and the beautiful Comox Valley yet, so I stayed another night — this time in the OHM guesthouse. Modern architecture meets rooftop stargazing, meets hot tub and ocean views… But that’s another story!
And thus my opening thoughts… Some places are unforgettable! Some places on this Earth change you forever. Some places you just don’t want to leave.
With gratitude, I look forward to next year’s TOPS Board retreat.