On October 13th, just before International White Cane Day, the Guangzhou Guide Dog School hosted a unique yoga event in Guangzhou led by yoga instructor and guide dog user Xiao Jia. Participants had the opportunity to experience yoga blindfolded, allowing them to discover the joy of exercising in the dark.
In an interview, Xiao Jia shared her inspiring journey to becoming a yoga instructor: “Due to my visual impairment, traveling and exercising became very challenging, and my weight significantly increased. Since I discovered yoga, I have been able to reconnect with the joy that physical activity brings to my mind and body.”
During the event, staff members, guide dog users, foster families, and volunteers at the Guangzhou Guide Dog School donned blindfolds and followed Xiao Jia’s guidance in their yoga practice. Additionally, attendees participated in activities designed to simulate visual impairment, demonstrations of guide dog work, and knowledge-sharing sessions about guide dogs, which deepened the community’s understanding of the stories between visually impaired individuals and their guide dogs.
Li Yuanzhen, the principal of the Guangzhou Guide Dog School and an international guide dog trainer, shared exciting news during the event: “This year, our school has successfully bred three litters of exceptional guide dog puppies, totaling 20 new guide dog recruits.” She also called on compassionate members of the community to consider becoming foster families for guide dog puppies, emphasizing the important role they play in supporting the development of guide dog services in Guangzhou.
As awareness and support for guide dog services and accessible travel for visually impaired individuals grow, more businesses and public venues are opening their doors to guide dogs. For instance, Guangzhou’s Yiqi Bus has welcomed guide dogs in training on all its routes since World Guide Dog Day in April. Furthermore, locations such as the Nanyue King Museum, Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich, and Tianhuan Plaza have fully accepted guide dogs in training into their facilities.
Li Yuanzhen expressed her hope that as more people come to understand the needs of visually impaired friends, they will support guide dog training efforts, contributing to a more inclusive environment in Guangzhou.
