How did you start your day? I started mine at 7:30am in down-dog amongst thousands of yogis in Times Square, NYC: (note, I took all these photos! please credit if you take them)
Aside from being a darn cool place to get our yoga on, the founders of this annual event had a deeper intention: to renew our mind, body and spirits through creative expression in celebrating the summer solstice (aka the longest day of the year and beginning of summer for us North Americans).
The glowing Drisana Carey led our morning group through the flow. She was out of view from my spot in the back, but her micro-phoned voice was the perfect guide, bouncing soothingly off the skyscrapers around me. The point, she said, was not to forget or drown the noise; it was to embrace it in our practice, to be aware of it, but at the same time to let our inner-selves shine in the forefront.
I was so into this time on the mat, that whenever I opened my eyes I had to chuckle at what was in front of me: tourists and the 8am rush-to-work crowd (camera snapping in tow).
In savasana, the final laying down pose at the end, I relaxed my body, but kept my mind sharp, picking out each sound in the background: cross-guard whistles, the release of bus breaks, sirens, beeps of trucks in reverse, taxi horns and the murmur of the work crowd – each note harmonizing to create the perfect vibration for a Wednesday morning flow.
Instructor Drisana Carey and I
Namaste, NYC!
Sounds incredible!
Thanks. It really was!
This looks like such a blast. I love the idea of “embracing the noise.”
:) Drisana was an amazing instructor for this setting.
So envious of your experience! WOW! I love the first picture of everyone shining their hearts to the sky!
Couldn’t resist. So beautiful, eh?
Ohmyfreakingoodness. This is amazing! You’ll be so glad you documented this!
Wow what an opportunity! I got a chance to practice last summer when i was in NYC with the free Lulu yoga in a park not far from times square (i forget the name of it now). But it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. To practice with so many others outside!!! Your experience reminded me of that but even cooler and a bigger event! Lucky you:) Thanks for sharing with us:) PS im from the East Coast as well! I think i saw in your “about” section thats where you are from too! Love the blog. I was just told about it last week by a friend!!
Sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to do the times square yoga events but have never gotten the chance… so I am just going to live vicariously through you for now :)
Oh my gosh! Yoga with a huge group in Times Square?!?!! How amazing!!!! :)
Great photos! What an amazing experience.