Meet Keity Garcia: Making Wellbeing Accessible to Everyone

When Keity Garcia first offered a free yoga class as part of Mental Health Awareness Week in Wānaka, she had no idea it would help spark what has become one of the community's most successful wellbeing initiatives.

Today, Keity is one of the driving forces behind Mental Health Awareness Month, helping bring together dozens of events, workshops, and activities that encourage connection, learning, and wellbeing across the Upper Clutha.

For Keity, it all comes back to a simple belief: helping people.

"Helping people has always come naturally to me," she says.

That instinct has followed her throughout her life. As a child, if a classmate was struggling with a subject, Keity would sit alongside them and help them learn. Years later, when burnout prompted her to leave Brazil and take a break from her career, yoga was already a significant part of her life and became the foundation for a journey that would change her perspective forever.

Her travels took her to Nepal, India, Myanmar, and beyond, where she studied yoga and Buddhism while volunteering in communities recovering from devastating earthquakes.

What stayed with her most was the resilience of the people she met.

"Many had lost everything, but they were still incredibly generous, kind, and happy. That way of looking at life had a huge impact on me."

Along the way, she also saw the power of yoga to support people through difficult times. One client she worked with was navigating the grief of losing her mother. Through regular practice and support, Keity witnessed how movement, routine, and a safe space to reconnect with yourself could help someone slowly find their footing again.

Today, that same philosophy shapes her work in Wānaka.

When Community Link's Kenzie Mastronardi approached her about offering a free yoga session as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Keity was immediately supportive. The community response was so strong that what started as a week of events quickly grew into a month-long programme.

"We realised just how many people wanted to contribute and share their skills with the community," she says.

A passionate advocate for accessibility, Keity continues to offer free yoga classes during Mental Health Awareness Month because she believes wellbeing support should be available to everyone.

"Making it free removes the risk for someone who might benefit but has never tried it before."

As this year's Mental Health Awareness Month approaches, Keity hopes more people will take the opportunity to get involved, try something new, or simply make time for themselves.

"Together we can do so much more than we can as individuals."

Mental Health Awareness Month runs from 1-31 October. For programme details, registrations, and updates, keep an eye on the Wānaka App, Community Link's Facebook Events page, or visit our website.