On Our Calendar: Free Yoga in Times Square and Central Park!

Recharge your senses with an outdoor yoga class.

At a recent lucy activewear event at Exhale Spa, we took a Vinyasa class led by yoga instructor Seane Corn, co-founder of Off the Mat Into the World, a grassroots group dedicated to social change. Corn noted that it can be difficult to quiet the mind in the fast-paced environment of New York City. So we were interested to hear that yogis will gather to celebrate Solstice in Times Square on June 21, with speakers and free yoga classes all day. For a slightly more serene urban setting — plus a free Gaiam yoga mat from JetBlue — check out Yoga at the Great Lawn the following day, June 22 at 6 p.m. in Central Park.

Solstice in Times Square will be held at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Ave. between 46th and 47th streets. Although classes are currently booked, those who join the waiting list will be notified via email if more tickets become available. Wait listers also can stop by the event, but a space isn’t guaranteed. The event begins with a 7:30 a.m. class led by Douglass Stewart of Ishta Yoga and YogaWorks. Pure Yoga’s Alanna Kaivalya, author of Myths of the Asanas (Mandala Publishing, 2010) speaks about “Mind Over Madness … in Times Square,” followed by a 10:30 a.m. class, with live music from Yoga Organix. Michael Taylor of Strala Yoga discusses creating good health through yoga at noon. Donna Rubin of Bikram Yoga NYC will lead participants through the 26 postures of the practice at 12:30 p.m.

We definitely have lost touch with our inner peace in jampacked Times Square, with everything from flashing billboards to the Naked Cowboy competing for our attention. So we’re looking forward to Swami Ramananda, president of Integral Yoga Institute, speaking about the principal of Ahimsa and the goal of peace in our hearts and in relationships at 3:10 p.m. Paula Tursi of Reflections Yoga leads a class at 3:30 p.m. The day closes with a 5:40 p.m. talk from Tevis Rose Trower of Balance Integration and a 6 p.m. class from Dana Flynn of Laughing Lotus. While supplies last, participants receive a free Solstice gift bag. Visit the Solstice in Times Square site for a free digital issue of the April/May issue of Yoga Journal. While you’re at the digital newsstand, pick up the latest issue of VIVmag as well!

Free reservations are still available for Yoga at the Great Lawn, where yoga teacher Elena Brower, founder of Virayoga and instructor to such celebs as Christy Turlington and Naomi Watts, leads a class at 7 p.m. (Registration gives you option of adding a friend onto your ticket.) The event, hosted by Flavorpill and JetBlue, is expected to draw 10,000 people — including Veronica Webb, Moby and Donna Karan — to the Central Park’s Great Lawn. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with live entertainment from Buddy Wakefield, DALIEN aka 13 HANDS and Wah!, as well as entertainment from host Reggie Watts. After the class, O’Nkosi Rhythms will provide live drumming. All skill levels are welcome, and participants are asked to not bring oversized bags, glass bottles or their own mats, since mats will be provided. Yogis also will receive a bottle of SmartWater and a free ChicoBag made of recycled plastic.

New Yorkers can enjoy more free yoga in Bryant Park throughout the summer — the next class is June 22 at 10 a.m. Have you tried practicing yoga outdoors?

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