Downtown Yoga Celebrates Sixth Birthday with 65,000-plus Downward Dogs

Six years ago yesterday, Yoga in the Park downtown held its first free class. Woo hoo!! There were only nine attendees. That first class practiced near the water because Hurricane Wilma had ripped apart the Tina Hills Pavilion.

Boy has yoga evolved. Today the free class has grown into one of the largest and most consistent yoga practices in the country.

These days, 150 to 180 yogis regularly attend this staple of our burgeoning downtown landscape. In fact, on Saturday, the practice surpassed the 65,000 plateau of yogis who have participated since its inception.

The free event has proved to be remarkably resilient. In six years, class has

only been canceled one time. Considering the session meets three times a

week, that’s 935 out of a possible 936 classes held. Yoga’s invincible.

It it rains, the practice moves inside the administrative offices of

Bayfront Park. If there’s construction, a film or television show in

production, or a holiday or corporate event, the class migrates to the

Bayfront Amphitheater, and practices on stage.

Jannee

Alt has been the main instructor on Monday and Wednesday since 2007.

She is a rockstar goddess yogi with a wonderful approach, sense of

humor, and a voice like honey.

“Yoga brings the community

together, and more than ever, that is what the world needs right now —

to learn to work together. One might think that the students are the

ones who reap all the benefits of the practice, but I have personally

grown from the experience of guiding classes there and feel fortunate to

be a part of it!  The students are so inspiring.”

Being

outside, feeling the cool bay breeze on your skin, sharing the

experience with a non-judgmental and conscious community, adoring the

sunset and Miami skyline—these precious commodities are priceless–not

to mention the actual benefits of yoga, both mental and physical. The

invigorating class is designed for yogis of all levels, the instructors

are wonderful, and the overall effect on your psyche is immeasurable.

Attending yoga is never a bad decision. Thank you, community yoga. And Happy Birthday.

Community

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