Fletch & I wanted to arrive early to get the lay of things since he was photographing the event & I was planning to write about it. We were way ahead of schedule but then 2 SUV cops pulled out right in front of us and we were road blocked for 20 minutes in order to let a motorcycle motorcade escorting a replica of the Memorial wall get by. I know its Memorial Day weekend but it’s not even the real wall, it’s a replica! It was frustrating, to say the very least. What a way to start a yoga experience. (Deep breath.....aaahhhhh)
When we finally arrived, Fletch got scooped up right away to go take photos from the roof of the 9 story Midtown Crossing building, while I checked things out. Each sponsor had a booth and I was dying to check out Spiritual Gangster. They had some kick ass yoga related t-shirts made of that really soft comfortable cotton you could just live everyday in. I was all set to pick mine out but then she said words I never like to hear “They’re not for sale today.” What? They didn’t get the vending license yet but next week all sales are on. Whew! That was close. I can’t wait to check them out & the other vendors next week.
I would guess about 250 were there, although more had pre-registered online. (UPDATE: 326 yogis + 40 little yogis) It did look like it could rain though. Fortunately, it did not. Mary Clare Sweet, the lovely being from Lotus House of Yoga, led the first yoga class. She has such a sweet soothing voice & even though we were surrounded by condos & downtown traffic it was an oasis in the park. Rhythm Collective set the mood by creating some cool vibrations. And Tres Johnson of lowercase sounds, both a local artist & dj, was creating his own style of organic paintings in the background all throughout yoga. Go talk to him if you’d like to take a piece home to commemorate your Yoga Rocks the Park experience.
People from all walks came to check out Yoga Rocks the Park today, and not just yogi’s. People passing by stopped to just watch, enjoy the music, read as they relaxed in their lawn chairs, hang out on blankets and some even jumped in & did their own yoga poses as they posed & took pictures. And the kids at Kids Camp looked like they were having fun with yoga too & afterwards I saw plenty of painted little faces.
My personal experience with my 3rd try at yoga was wonderful mentally, physically & emotional, again, at the same time. When I set my intention, I felt like I was praying for something I have no control over. Then strength & determination would take over & I realized that I am in control. This is my mind & my body & I am the driver! And as I relaxed into Savasana, the final resting pose in yoga, & reassured myself by softly singing along to No Woman No Cry, “everything is gonna be all right, everything is gonna be all right, everything is gonna be all right, everything is gonna be all right….” it hit me again, as I shed a tear hoping that I was right.
A very diverse group of people came together today as one energy in the park, as felt by the final group Om at the end. That was really cool! I hope to keep this feeling all week & can’t wait for next Sunday with Alex Austin from Phoenix and local musicians, the Mitch Gettman Band.
Afterwards we went to Crave where the official after party was supposed to be. But it didn’t really have that party feel. I asked if there were any specials & the bartender said “no”. They did offer a drink called Yoga on the Rocks, but no special pricing or happy hour until 8pm, which was 2 hours away. I, personally, think 8pm is a late start time for happy hour on a Sunday & thought they could’ve done something a little more to impress some new yogi customers. They did say they are considering that for next week, so I will try again. If not, there’s many great restaurants in Midtown Crossing
Peace, Love & Namaste
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