Spokesperson and yoga student Deborah Pont of Pawcatuck recently announced the Mystic Yoga Shala will host a special yoga event called “Build Your Practice on a Rock” on Sept. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at its studio in Stonington. New establishment Lotus Fire Yoga Studio in North Kingstown, R.I., will continue the festivities on Sept. 6 with a live karma DJ party.
Pont has practiced yoga for three years and said she’s seen local classes gradually become crowded as the age group of participants expands.
“You also see a growing number of men gravitating toward yoga,” she continued. “It’s not just for women anymore. A growing number of locals especially gravitate to yoga when the summer months end, as it has become a way to keep in shape and revitalized all year long…even in the winter.”
Pont said she’s finding people flocking to this type of exercise for many reasons, including injury recovery, cardiac rehab, or to maintain overall fitness and vitality.
“The practice of yoga has exploded in New England in recent years. More and more yoga studios have opened and expanded to meet the demands of people from all walks of life who seek out this type of fitness for a variety of reasons,” Pont explained. “The area has attracted yoga gurus like Mark White to make a special visit to our region...This will be his second year to the area.”
White, Pont later explained, is a master of the Baptiste style of yoga from Jacksonville, Fla., where he runs his studio M Body Yoga.
“Mark is world-renowned in yoga circles for his upbeat, eclectic style that truly makes yoga fun for everyone,” Pont added. During his visit, she continued, he will lead an upbeat yoga practice set, to help beginners and more experienced yogis deepen their practice, and to pick up tips from a master himself.
“These events are good for experienced yogis, or anyone who is just curious about yoga, or who wants to practice in a non-competitive setting,” Pont said.
She explained that on Sept. 5 at the Mystic Yoga Shala, the class will be working on different forms and “deepening your practice.”
“The event at Lotus Fire Yoga will actually be a yoga session set to the music of a live DJ,” Pont said. “The idea is to practice yoga in a relaxed, yet lively setting, while listening to contemporary music…The event is open to all levels of yoga practitioners, from beginners to the more advanced, younger or older. It’s a ‘go at your own pace’ kind of class. There will be a party afterward, with refreshments.”
If you GO
Mystic Yoga Shala is located in Suite 109, Quiambaug Cove Campus, 107 Wilcox Road, Stonington. The cost to attend the Sept. 5 event is $60. For more information, visit http://www.mysticyogashala.com/events.htm.
The Lotus Fire Yoga Studio is located at 650 Tenrod Road, North Kingstown, R.I. There will be a two-hour freestyle Power Vinyasa Yoga practice starting at 4 p.m. on Sept. 6 with a cool down following at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is also $60. RSVP at 401- 369-2706. Space is limited.