Domenic J. Sarno, Mayor and Patrick J. Sullivan, Executive Director of the Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, and Paula Thayer, Assistant Director of Recreation, are pleased to announce the City will be hosting Twilight Yoga in Forest Park. The one hour yoga sessions will be held at the Rose Garden in Forest Park on Thursdays from September 5th to October 3rd. Participants will receive free instructional yoga sessions from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Dharma Yoga of Springfield is humbled and honored to be in collaboration with Springfield's Forest Park -- offering the first ever community yoga practice in the park. This amazing community experience will be held weekly for five weeks on Thursday evenings on the grass of the Rose Garden just as the sun is setting in the Valley. Twilight Yoga in the Park - Vinyasa Flow practice will be designed for all to participate from beginners to seasoned yogis – with the focus on proper alignment and link movement to one’s breath to ultimately promote flexibility, increase mobility, build strength, and relieve stress.
Mayor Sarno said, “The City is appreciative of Dharma Yoga in wanting to bring this to our parks. I encourage residents to take this opportunity to experience the health benefits yoga has to offer. We have a beautiful park system and to host this in our crown jewel offers the opportunity for everyone to experience the beauty of Forest Park while at the same time relaxing the spirit and mind.”
Executive Director Patrick Sullivan stated, “The Park Department is very grateful to Mikki Lessard and Nancy Feth for bringing this program forward and wanting to share their instructional talents in yoga with City residents. The Forest Park Rose Garden offers the perfect setting and we look forward to the potential of expanding wellness programs across the City.”
Paula Thayer, Assistant Director of Recreation stated, “This is a great opportunity for our residents both young and old to come out on a Thursday evening and learn some valuable techniques in yoga. Yoga has a great potential to realign your body and relieve daily stress. We look forward to expanding this offering throughout City parks.”
For more details see the Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/371474066878496
If you live near the park:
Simply walk over to the Rose Garden to practice and arrive early to register.
If you are driving in:
Please be sure to enter through the Trafton Road or Longmeadow entrances of Forest Park – The Main Sumner Avenue entrance is currently closed due to construction. Parking is located at the end of the ball field and a short walk to the Rose Garden.
FOREST PARK Vehicle Storage Fee:
Cash Only
In State License $3.00
Out of State $5.00
Season Pass
Springfield Registration $13.00
Out of Springfield Registration $23.00
Out of State Registration $28.00
Additional Information
TWILIGHT YOGA AT FOREST PARK
Peacefulness and serenity awaits in the Rose Garden this fall
A gentle Vinyasa flow practice will be created and taught by an amazing Yoga Teacher of Dharma -- Laura Dromgold -- who has designed the class for all levels - from beginners to seasoned yogis. The one-hour practice will be offered from 6:00 to 7:00 pm -- Thursday evenings at twilight - beginning September 5th through October 3rd. We gently encourage all yoga participants to bring a yoga mat and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. We will provide a few yoga mats for those who need to borrow them. ALL must sign the registration waiver prior to practicing yoga in the park. Mindfully Dharma will only practice if the weather permits -- wet mats can be slippery.
Mikki Lessard & Nancy Feth own Dharma Yoga, located at The Shops at Marketplace within Serendipity Boutique, award winners of the 2018 Microenterprise of the Year Award for the State of Massachusetts by the US Small Business Administration for their work in supporting the renaissance of Downtown Springfield. Dharma offers classes for all levels at their studio and at other venues around the City.
Our very special weekly one hour yoga class — designed for all to be able to participate — will be offered in the Rose Garden of Forest Park — free to community each Thursday, September 5th - October 3rd from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. ( Park Vehicle Storage Fees applies)
YOGA IN THE PARK TEACHER
Laura Dromgold- Laura grew up in the PARK and is humbled and honored to instruct YOGA IN THE PARK this autumn in the Rose Garden.
She began her journey in the Health and Fitness industry over 30 years ago, receiving her Personal Trainer-Group Fitness Certification through NDEITA in 1987 (now known as NETA). Over the years Laura has taught a wide variety of Group Fitness classes, including, but not limited to STEP, Cardio Kick, HIIT, Body Sculpting, Core Fusion, Yoga and Spinning.
Laura is one of the principal yoga teachers at Dharma Yoga, located at The Shops at Marketplace, Downtown Springfield.
Laura has found Yoga to be a wonderful compliment to all other aspects of Health and Fitness. Throughout her Yoga training she has grown to love Vinyasa (power) a practice using breath to promote fluidity between poses. As a teacher, her intention and hope is to combine her knowledge of the human body, and her love for yoga to guide students through a full mind-body experience.
