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Hi friend

You know what I love? I love the weird mishmash of people who end up practicing together at Yoga in the Park.

  • In the front you’ve got the retired folks who want to make sure they can hear my instructions.
  • Off to the side are the mom friends with toddlers who might need to bail for the playground halfway through.
  • In the middle are a few teenagers who just want to lay on their mats and work on their tans.
  • Somewhere near the back is a dude in jeans who was biking by and decided to join in spontaneously.
It is a merry, motley crowd, and to me it often feels like one of the most authentic expressions of Yoga. Despite who I see at Yoga in the Park, so many people still think yoga isn’t for them because online they just see images of acrobatics and tight pants. This couldn’t be further from the point of Yoga.

It’s been an uphill battle to counter the mainstream narratives of who belongs, but Yoga in the Park helps change the conversation. Yoga postures, or asanas, are just one small tributary in the ocean of Yoga. To me, the whole of yoga is about connection to all parts of ourselves and to something greater than ourselves. Yoga’s many paths offer us ways to integrate body, mind and spirit. And, most significantly in this world of increasing isolation, to connect more wholeheartedly into community with other humans and nature.


Our city parks are such refreshingly integrated spaces in our segmented society. I recently spent the evening with my 3 kiddos at the playground in Victoria Park. I heard at least a dozen different languages, and my kids were making fast friends with families of many different backgrounds.

Bringing Yoga into the park, and as a free event, expresses the true meaning of yoga as unity and invites more equity of access to yoga practice

The Branches is honoured to partner with the City of Kitchener in this effort. After a two-year pause during the pandemic, we’re so grateful these classes are back, and we’re thrilled to have expanded into two of our city parks this summer.

You can check out the full schedule and details here. 

Would you extend this invitation? Come out to a class and bring along someone who doesn't think that yoga is for them. We aim for our park classes to be welcoming and doable for all levels and ages. If you can breathe and if you like hanging out in the fresh air under the trees, we think you’ll love it! 

With warmth and excitement,
Leena

here I am on the back deck at The Branches - less grassy than the park

 
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