MEDIA
MOXIE MAGAZINE, REGINA JANUARY 1, 2018 By Florence Hwang Bev Zizzy is passionate about yoga, education, music, and travel; but not necessarily in that order. She was one of five early yoga instructors in Regina in the 1970’s, who together formed the Saskatchewan Yoga Teachers’ Association. Zizzy was the Founding President. The SYTA brought in Yoga Teacher Trainers from Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, San Francisco and Hawaii. “It’s not like now, where there are numerous studios and yoga teacher courses. It wasn’t like that. Yoga was a very novel concept, but there was an appetite for it," Zizzy says. She says yoga has never been just exercise: it is a way of life. “My yoga teachers in Bali say that the way you approach your mat is the way you approach your life. If you’re aggressive and hard on yourself on the mat, you probably will be so the rest of your day,” Zizzy explains. |
Professionally, she was trained as a French and English language teacher. Now, after 30 years teaching in Regina, she runs into former students everywhere. “Especially if I go to the north end, where I taught at Winston Knoll Collegiate for 15 years. I also have former elementary students who eventually cared for my mother in her nursing home. Others, now professional musicians, were involved in my last CD production. It happens often - so many lovely, hugely rewarding connections like that.” she says. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Zizzy and her husband still call Regina home, but they are also extensive global travellers. “Every year we try to visit a new country, and to date have visited about thirty. We now return primarily to Thailand and Indonesia, a country of many islands that feel like different countries,” Zizz explains. While there, she continues her yoga studies, learning her fourth language, Indonesian, and sharing music. Zizzy is generous with her talent and time. She recently completed her sixth benefit concert for the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers raising funds for AIDS affected women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Equally importantly, she raises awareness. She says her music is never about promoting herself. It is about sharing stories and making connections. “Hopefully [through the stories] and the positive energy, people can relate to the experiences and benefit from [them],” she explains. She released her latest album Standing on A Platform of Kindness in 2016. To young women, she offers two words of advice: Passion and Balance. “Nothing in life is worth it if you’re not passionate about it. If you’re loving what you’re doing, then the word ‘work’ doesn’t register on the radar screen,” she says, “but if you’re out of balance, everything falls apart. It’s not easy.” “Stay soft and strong; driven, but not driven beyond. Honour your passions. Follow your heart. Follow your intuitions. Don’t be afraid of hard work, as long as you love what you’re doing, and always remember to be balanced, and to care for yourself,” she says. For more on her life, music, and travels, visit www.bevzizzy.com |
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Concert in Port Alberni Supports Grandmothers
PORT ALBERNI TIMES B.C. CANADA
OCTOBER 27 2016 |
EXCLAIM.CA
OCTOBER 24 2016 |
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"Standing on a Platform of Kindness"
"Standing on a platform of KINDNESS metaphorically melds personal experience to societal struggles with Bev's velvety, smooth vocals and inspirational acoustic soul. The whole album works as an extended metaphor, describing the journey of life."
~Angela Shaffer, www.punchland.com |
Bev Zizzy will perform at local benefit concert to support grandmothers in Sub-Saharan Africa
PORT ALBERNI TIMES B.C. CANADA
OCT 2 2014 |
Regina vocalist gets personal
REGINA LEADER POST
AUGUST 27 2009 |
50 Saskatchewan Musicians You Should Know About
PRAIRIES NORTH MAGAZINE
SPRING 2007 |
Zizzy's concert benefits children
REGINA LEADER POST
NOVEMBER 8 2006 |
AWARDS
YWCA Woman of Distinction in the Arts Award 2009
I am grateful to the YWCA for acknowledging Women of Distinction over the years and honored to be in the company of such an inspiring group of women who share their strengths and passions to make the world a better place. I am very appreciative of the recognition my work as an artist has been given by being awarded the 2009 Woman of Distinction in the Arts, and recipient of the Jacqui Shumiatcher Arts Award.
Bev Zizzy, May 2009 |
BEV ZIZZY: THE JACQUI SCHUMIATCHER ARTS AWARD
REGINA LEADER POST MAY 8, 2009
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University of Regina Inspiring Teaching Award 2004
SASKATCHEWAN TEACHERS
FEDERATION BULLETIN NOVEMBER 17 2004 The more time I spent in this profession, the more I felt fortunate to have discovered it - or that it had discovered me. I had long believed that my life had been continuously enriched and inspired by the students I had met over the years, so it was with the deepest sense of heartfelt appreciation that I accepted this student engineered honour from the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation and the University of Regina, my Alma Mater. I cannot imagine a more special award for a teacher to receive. Thank You. Bev Zizzy, November 2004 |