Mocean Yoga: Coming Home to Purpose

Born and raised in the Comox Valley, Susie Newson, Founder of Mocean Yoga, has always felt a deep connection to the ocean, movement, and community. Growing up in a commercial fishing family, she developed a lifelong relationship with the water and began dancing at the age of three, eventually pursuing a professional dance career.

After years of physical injuries, she discovered yoga and experienced its transformative healing power. At the same time, she was reconnecting with her Indigenous heritage, which her mother spent decades uncovering after generations of family history had been hidden to protect the family from the impacts of residential schools. Through yoga and Indigenous cultural practices, Susie found a profound sense of belonging, purpose, and connection to spirit, land, and community.

Determined to create a space that reflected her values, she returned home to Vancouver Island and founded Mocean Yoga. The business grew through classes, retreats, and teacher training programs, but like many small businesses, it faced enormous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as the studio was finding its footing, operations were forced to shut down.

With support from NEDC, Mocean Yoga received critical funding and grants that helped the business survive during an uncertain time. The funding allowed the studio to purchase a large outdoor tent and continue offering yoga teacher training safely, ensuring students could access much-needed wellness and connection when it mattered most. This support provided both financial stability and the freedom to remain creative and responsive to community needs.

Today, Mocean Yoga continues to thrive as an inclusive wellness space where “All Levels and All Relations Welcome” is more than a slogan—it’s a guiding philosophy rooted in Indigenous teachings of interconnectedness. The studio offers classes, retreats, and teacher training programs designed to help people find greater ease, resilience, and self-awareness.

Looking ahead, the business plans to expand its accredited training programs and explore additional wellness offerings. With the support of NEDC and a strong foundation built on culture, community, and healing, Mocean Yoga continues to grow while helping others reconnect with themselves and the world around them.