Yoga in the park starts in Washington this weekend

WASHINGTON — Local studio Blissed Out Wellness will host its first of several “Yoga in the Park sessions” Saturday, June 18 by the city’s bandstand.

Studio owner and yoga instructor Melissa Turner said all were invited to join the group yoga lesson.

“Anybody from the community is welcome,” she said. “We have had anywhere from five people to 20 people, it just depends on everyone’s availability.”

Participants generally bring a wide range of experience, from those who have never done it before to others who consider it a lifestyle.

“For those that practice a lot, it’s really nice to be able to slow down and be able to learn again,” she said. “It’s great to have beginners come along with everybody else. There’s lots of variation, giving people options, reminding people to listen to their bodies.”

Turner said the annual tradition had picked up steam in recent years.

“It got going more in 2020 when we weren’t really able to practice inside,” she said. “We utilized the central park a lot more that summer, and it was throughout the week and on weekends. Now we are able to be in a studio space, so most of the week we are in the studio, but we do enjoy having yoga in the park, so with our calendar allowing, we’re doing it once a month.”

For everyone involved, Turner said the chance to practice outdoors was hard to match.

“It’s just getting outside, being with nature,” she said. “You don’t have that open breeze in the studio like you do outside, and you have the trees and the birds. I guess it is a more Zen space just with the sounds outside. It’s grounding to be right on the grass.”

It’s also good for the community, according to Turner.

“Some people only come to yoga in the park,” she said. “Our yoga community (is) bringing together people in a state of acceptance and a time for self care and mental health and support with each other.”

Yoga in the park is scheduled for June 18, July 13, July 23, Aug. 13 and Sept. 24 this year. It runs 8:30-10 a.m. on Saturdays and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com