By Sue Stefko
(Appeared in the Glebe Report, July 2024)
Despite an ominous rain forecast for the Glebe Annex Community Association’s Yoga in the Park session on the morning of July 6th, yogis in Dalhousie South Park remained dry – although perhaps slightly sticky due to the day’s warm and humid conditions. It was so warm in fact that some yogis even commented that it felt like an opportunity to practice hot yoga! While the free hot yoga opportunity may have been appreciated by the class, they still (wisely) took advantage of some of the shade offered by trees in the park.
Some of the 12 participants had previously attended last year’s inaugural yoga in the park, but it was the first time for several others. Indeed, some had only lived in the neighbourhood for a few short months prior to the yoga class. One of our repeat yogis was our teacher, Heather McDonald. Heather brings a wealth of experience to her teaching, with more than 550 hours of teacher training in various types of yoga, as well as experience practicing TaeKwonDo and Reiki. Heather reflected on her experience leading this year’s class, noting that it was “so great to have new and returning members of the community present for this yoga session… I’m so impressed with the openness people brought not just to the practice, but towards each other!” Once again, the feeling openness was enabled by Heather’s welcoming and inclusive approach as she gently led yogis through the hour-long beginner-level session.
This year, we broke our previous record for youngest yogi. Finn, son of Gabrielle, the board member who organized the event, was just seven months old, as he partook in the class, providing some background ambience through squeals of joy and babbling during the session. His enthusiasm shows that clearly Finn is a yogi in the making!
Yoga in the park is the first of three events that the GACA board has in store for the neighbourhood this year. After a widely attended Party in the Park that was held in early September last year, this year’s party will occur in the same time frame – weather permitting, the event will take place on Saturday September 7th, with the rain date the following day. We were surprised and pleased to see such great take-up with our Hallowe’en event, and we’re excited to be hosting another similar event this year. We appreciate the community’s support in coming out to support and participate in our events. Bringing the community together is one of GACA’s key mandates, but we couldn’t do it without willing participants from the community coming out to join us!
Photos by Gabrielle Dallaporta
Baby Finn and his dad Neil, happy to take part in the yoga class.
Our fabulous yoga teacher Heather (left) and some happy yogis.
Yogis participating in the class under much appreciated shade in Dalhousie South Park.
