Summer Solstice 2011- Yoga in Times Square

This Tuesday June 21st marked the 2011 Summer Solstice. This is the day the sun shines the longest, and NYC brings Mind-Body-Harmony to the centre of the Big Apple, Times Square. For anyone to find peace in the busiest place in NY is amazing, and yoga at its finest. With people watching all around, concrete below, tall illuminated buildings around, the beautiful sunny sky above and a sea of Yogis ready to practice, I laid out my "free" mat. Many students of mine both in the city and in the Bronx at Excel Yoga, had decided to participate in the amazing event. While I had been registered for the evening one, I knew that it would make more sense for me to do the afternoon session since I had to teach Yoga 3-8pm. After my 10 am Yoga Session, I headed to Times Square, where I saw one of my lovely students, Doris. We both were happy to be there, got our free mats, and laid out our mats on a slanted part of the concrete. Soon, Nicole and Mary arrived too, but they were late to get the "free" yoga mats, so wound up practicing on two small hand towels. The class was Bikram, with Partick, a very funny and engaging teacher in Tiger Strip Spandex Shorts. Ironically, a few years back when I did the Summer Solstice, I took class with him too. It was truly a magical experience, and I was happy to have shared the event with Doris, Nicole and Mary. None of us actually practice Bikram, but the entire event showed us all that power of collective consciousness, and the power of Yoga. No matter the style, the teacher, the location, this ancient practice of yoga instills positive energy in those who are receptive to it.

Pics: Ambria, Nicole, Doris and Mary (Eagle Posing), Ambria, Nicole, and Doris Eagle Posing again, and Doris and Ambria Camel Posing

Bikram Yoga @ The Solstice 2009

The longest day of sunshine, Sunday June 21st, 2009, only today the sun hid behind many clouds and rain poured off and on.  It was still the Solstice.  Not only is today Fathers' Day (Happy Fathers' Day Daddy), it is also that time when Yogis gather in Times Square to do YOGA.  After teaching some morning Yoga classes, I decided to check it out.  There was a brilliant Sitar player playing, a sea of people carrying Yoga mat Bags.  I decided to join.  The session I signed up for was the afternoon Bikram class.  In the past my experience with Bikram Yoga was not so pleasant, but being that this was outdoors and not a hot day, I was ready to try Bikram Yoga again.  Our instructor stood at the front with Tiger mini shorts on and guided us through the poses.  In Bikram every pose is done twice except for the seated twist.  We were all given great goody bags which included a T-shirt and Yoga Mat.  It was a wonderful experience to practice Yoga with a large group of people in the heart of Manhattan.  With onlookers watching and taking photos, cars zooming by, and even a wedding party that decided to take photos behind us, this was an amazing experience of focus and inner peace.  This free event attracts a wide variety of participants and even draws in people new to yoga.  The energy was great!  The sun peaked through the clouds a few times and luckily it did not rain till I went home.  I hope to continue participate in the Solstice and maybe next year teach one of the classes.