×

Free yoga classes offered in Parsons

PARSONS — Mill Race Park is offering free yoga classes to all community members, promoting a healthy lifestyle for the people of Parsons.

At 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, excluding the week of the Fourth of July, the free classes will take place.

Each lesson offers the basic teachings and poses of yoga, so new members can attend any lessons and not feel behind.

The one-hour classes provide an interesting and fun experience for new and old members, with a new lesson every class.

Each class features a small warm-up stretch, moving into the full lesson and finishing with a relaxation lesson before the class departs.

The classes have been underway for about three weeks, with new members attending every session along with returning members.

Anyone of any age is encouraged to attend, from young to old; members will feel no stress to complete the poses and can perform them according to their own comfort and limitations.

Everyone from any stage of yoga lessons or training is invited to attend. The class is designed to make everyone feel comfortable at their own levels with group support and respect.

The lessons teach basic strengthening, along with balance, coordination, movement and stability, to improve poses over time.

The class are taught in the far end of the park, behind the tennis court, beside the peaceful tranquility of the river which provides a calming experience for participants.

In rain or shine, yoga instructor Vicky Smith, also a health and physical education teacher at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School, will provide lessons to any attendees.

If it should rain during any of the lessons, Smith will still offer classes inside the main pavilion.

Smith explained that the classes are not only fun; she said yoga also cultivates health and well-being, physically, emotionally, mentally and socially.

Smith explained that practicing yoga introduces many techniques, including postures and movement, breathing exercises, relaxation, concentration, self-inquiry and meditation will become more of a reality in your daily living.

The inspiration for the free summer yoga classes came from a collaboration between Smith and Donna Styles, coordinator of the city of Parsons working with Americorps and OnTrack.

Smith recently taught yoga classes to the students at TVEMS thanks to a Healthy Kids grant. The classes were a hit with the children.

Later, Styles proposed that Smith teach the classes to the community, which was the genesis of the summer yoga classes.

Participants in the class can bring their own mats, and mats are provided by TVEMS to use during the class.

Those attending are just asked to bring a positive mindset to the classes in order to open themselves up to new experiences.

The classes hope to provide a healthy and fun way for community members to get active and try something new.

“Come and check it out. If you don’t like it you don’t have to come back. Guarantee that you will get something out of it,” Smith stated. “Step outside your comfort zone.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today