"A Walk in the Park" with Margarita Manwelyan
Blue sky, a cool breeze, sunshine, and � YOGA! What could be more perfect? The appeal of this combination got me out of bed early to start my Sunday with Hiking Yoga. Jauntily relishing a change from my usual yoga routine, I trekked over to Central Park, sans mat, in cargo pants and sneakers (although some participants did wear more typical lululemon-style attire).
This idea is so good I only wish I had thought of it first! Hiking Yoga�s execution of it is equally excellent. With the vagaries of weather and getting around NYC on a busy weekend, an outdoor meeting like this is no easy feat to coordinate, and their site is very user-friendly so it all comes together. I received a clear, concise email reminder the day before that helped me come prepared (with sunscreen and hat) and to find the spot easily.
I felt ready for adventure as I approached the small group gathered beneath the Jose Marti statue that was our meeting point with instructor Margarita Manwelyan. We circled up at the beginning so Margarita could give us a brief run-down of what to expect. I learned that our hike would have four �legs� with intervals of yoga in between each. The first one would be more of a gentle pace to warm up, and then we�d start moving more briskly. �Feel free to talk as we hike; during yoga obviously I�ll talk!� she clarified.
I got a bit worried when Margarita�s brisk march in our �warmup� leg had me panting � but the four mile hike turned out to be just the right intensity for me after all was said and done. I enjoyed the casual conversation with the other yogis as we traversed the bridle path and scrambled up Central Park�s giant boulders.
During the yoga intervals, Margarita sensitively minimized the chattiness and let nature and the beautiful surroundings speak for themselves. We stopped on �Overlook Point� for our first yoga segment, beginning with gentle calisthenic-style movements to lubricate our joints. We circled our hips, rolled our shoulders, bobbed our knees.
�Stick your booty out as you squat down,� Margarita told us as we moved in and out of a wide-legged version of chair pose. �Now give yourself a big hug, stretching between the shoulder blades. Honor that most important person in your life!� she advised us.
I was impressed with Margarita�s calm energy and her ability to gracefully go with the flow as large volumes of people on the AIDS walk made it impossible to take her usual route through the park�s east side. With equanimity and poised confidence she said softly, �Good thing I know the park well.� Without missing a beat, she turned us around and improvised a new route along the park�s west side that seemed as fitting as if she had intricately planned it.
At our second yoga stop, Margarita led us through a challenging sequence of lunges, twists, and one-legged balances in a grassy circle beneath billowing trees. �The grass can make these poses extra challenging,� Margarita noted. �Stay present with your surroundings and your breath.�
For the third leg, perched on a wide boulder, Margarita had us form two lines for partner Warrior poses. I really enjoyed the deeper stretch and grounding of these versions of Warrior 1 & 2, and Peaceful Warrior. �You can look up in this pose � see the sky and the birds,� she enthused, as we hovered in a deep squat. (photos here)
The breeze ruffled my hair as I looked up and took in the blue sky and waving trees overhead. I heard the call of blue jays and robins as my partner�s hand held me securely in a deep side stretch. At our fourth and final stop, Margarita passed out �mini-mats� just big enough for both hands or a tush. We did a series of Sun Salutations, using the mats so our hands wouldn�t get scuffed on the ground (though Sleuth decided to forego that in favor of feeling the fragrant grass beneath her palms.)
Rather than Savasana, we finished our class with a meditation seated on our �mini mats.� �There�s nothing magical or mystical about this breath. Each inhale and exhale is an opportunity to come into the present moment,� Margarita mused.
We concluded this heavenly yoga experience by chanting OM once together. The reverberations sounded fuller and richer to my ears out of doors than in the usual confines of a studio. I left feeling peacefully grounded, lengthened, energized, and much more connected to the elements of nature within and around me.
$20 single session; package rates available.
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