Does your city have a free community-based yoga day? West Palm Beach is home to an amazing event called, of course, "West Palm Beach Yoga Day." It is an annual event that is free to the public and those who attend are able to participate in any (or all!) of the classes.
I interviewed the founders of Yoga Day and will have more about it once I write up the article. For now, I just need to unload my initial thoughts about the spectacular event. Let me begin by confiding in you that I wasn't too sure what Yoga Day was. I also had no idea it had been around for years! I'm relatively new to South Florida and am finding more things to love each and every week. Today's event ... well, it tops everything I've seen so far!
Free + yoga + outdoors + amazing instructors + photography = happiness! (simple math in my book!)
I decided to use Priyanka, my yogi, as my introduction, as well as my excuse, to attend Yoga Day. She was instructing around 3pm so I thought I'd get there a little before to check it out. I am so glad I did! The people who attend are from every age group, ethnic background, fitness level and interest level. People attended with children, with friends, with neighbors, with family members and some even attended with their dogs.
I firmly believe in yoga. I believe it can transform a person and to see it done on a community level is nothing short of remarkable. Positive vibes were abound in sunny South Florida today.
I am still working on the photos but here are a few for now. I will be sure to post more later.
More than 2,000 people attended Yoga Day 2012 in West Palm Beach. (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
Ashleigh Ruckert was one of the last instructors for the day. In front of her are her Tibetan Singing Bowls. Very cool music! (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
Yoga feet. More than 2,000 people attended Yoga Day 2012 in West Palm Beach. Many kinda dirty feet by the end of class. While the weather was absolutely perfect, the ground was a bit damp so feet were bound to get a lil dirty. (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
Priyanka Shanbag, an absolutely wonderful yoga instructor - and, my personal yogi. (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
Doing Lion's Breath sometimes makes people giggle. (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
Jerry Jefferson, Ashleigh Ruckert and Therese Abair. Both Jerry and Therese are the founders of West Palm Beach's Yoga Day. (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
Priyanka Shanbag teaching more than 100 people in her class along the intercoastal in West Palm Beach. (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
More than 2,000 people attended this year's Yoga Day in West Palm Beach. The vibe was incredible in downtown! (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
One of my favorite photos of the day. A mother was taking Priyanka's class and had her son with her. He was incredibly well behaved during the entire class. During her bridge posture, he crawled between her legs and gently played with her hands. It was adorable! Yoga kids are good kids!! Do you practice yoga with your kids? (Photo by Liesl Marelli)
** View the complete photo gallery here
Moderate comments