Yoga in the Park at Gray’s Lake

August 31, 2009 · Posted under We Recommend 

If you haven’t taken the time to enjoy Des Moines’ version of yoga in the park at Gray’s Lake on Saturday mornings…you are truly missing out! Every Saturday morning June through September, area instructors and enthusiastic yogis meet for 60 minutes of stretching, twisting and breathing on the north shore of the lake. The event is modeled after Chicago’s Millennium Park classes- and has enjoyed great success in it’s first season in Des Moines, with an average attendance of 350-400 participants each week.

Last week I had the priveledge of leading class…what started out as a sunny, cool morning with lots of wet grass, transformed into a perfect morning over the course of sixty minutes- with warm sun and a cool dry breeze. The collective energy of a group that size is hard to imagine without experiencing it first hand! There are four classes remaining for the 2009 season, and I will be leading class again this Saturday, September 5, at 9AM. If you are free and decide to join us- remember parking is limited. Car pool with friends and arrive early. Many in attendance are trying yoga for the first time- so bring along your spouse, friends, neighbors, kids…anyone who has been wanting to try yoga, and needs a nudge to get going.

I was a little skeptical of doing Yoga outside at Gray’s Lake - but wanted to try it.  I have friends that attended Yoga in the Park and said it was great - I had to go….  But still I thought, hmm, it might be hot, or cold, or wet - and do I really want to practice yoga poses amongst strangers? Then there is the drive down and parking? Oh, and what to wear? what to take for a mat?  Basically I would be out of my comfort zone.  
I chose to attend on a Saturday that Sandy was leading (at least one thing would be familiar and comfortable)  As it turns out that morning was wet and cold and windy - but the drive down was quick and easy and parking a breeze.  
As soon as I rolled out my mat (I just put a towel under it) and sat down I didn’t notice the cool air or wind any more. The group was quiet but friendly. And by the first mudra everything around me faded away. I was never cold, and did not notice the wet or the wind.  Or maybe it really did go away. 
As it turns out I really enjoyed the experience.  There were hundreds of people there but it felt very personal to me. It was really cool to see 350 people all posing together and - Wow - there were way more men practicing than I expected.  
I guess the statement that sums it up is practicing yoga in the park with 350 others was one of the more rewarding things I have done this summer.  I will definitely go again and wish I had started attending earlier; there are only 4 weeks left!                         Deb Jaspers, balance yogi

What a fun and refreshing yoga experience.  The setting was perfect-blue sky, lots of green grass, a breeze coming through the trees and LOTS of people!  I loved the feel of the earth beneath your feet.  Plus Sandy led a terrific class!  A great way to start the weekend!        Barb Nessa, balance yogi

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s make September 5th the largest yoga in the park class of the season!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patty, Sandy and Mary pictured with Dennis Kelly, the founder of Yoga in the Park DES MOINES.

 

see more photos of the August 29th class on facebook  http://tinyurl.com/mwm6ds

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Comments (1)

  1. Malabika on September 2, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Great job Sandy — both the Yoga in the Park and posting this little blog. One gets a sense of the energy from the pictures.

    I look forward to joining you on Sept 5th.

    Malabika

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