SAN ANGELO, Texas — More than 40 people stood barefoot on mats inside a circle of citronella candles. They stretched into poses as the sun went down.
They were taking part in “A Time for Yoga,” a global yoga event focusing on world consciousness and peace Monday evening by Celebration Bridge. The event has ended National Yoga Month on Sept. 30 since 2011.
“By participating during your own local time, a wave of yoga will take place around the globe,” according to the Yoga Health Foundation website.
Becky Benes, a member of the Peace Ambassadors of West Texas, emceed the event, which organizers plan to make an annual event in San Angelo.
The Peace Ambassadors were a sponsor of the event.
“Happiness and steadiness are a way to connect to the Earth and connect with fellow man,” Benes said to the group as the event began. “We are bringing the community together to uplift souls and bring a stronger connection to our souls and to one another.”
Yoga instructors from throughout San Angelo took 10 minutes each to teach a mini yoga session, culminating in an hourlong yoga session.
Laughter, then silence and a few groans were heard throughout the crowd as some learned new poses for the first time, while other more experienced yoga students achieved each pose with ease.
A 15-minute meditation concluded the event, led by tai chi master instructor Steve Haidinger.
“We’re here to connect to one another and to the outdoors and to connect together,” said Stacie Jones, yoga instructor and an organizer of the event, as she led attendees in a series of “aums.”
Instructor Lana Simmons taught the group how to do poses with names such as cat, cow, crocodile, cobra and child’s pose.
“It’s so neat to see the vast difference of the different styles of yoga, how they just move differently,” said Tiana Thornton, another event organizer.
In her 10-minute session, Thornton said she planned to “guide them into a place of peace and stillness.”
“It’s a time for healing, to release your thoughts and allow the wisdom of your heart to be heard,” she said.
Lyn King-Sisco attended the event Monday. She said she has been doing yoga since February, when she “got hooked” on it during Goodfellow’s Change Your Life Fitness Challenge.
“I wanted to come out here for a combination of seeing Lana (Simmons) and equally for the literal mental relaxation with yoga, in a naturalistic setting” she said. “It was great to create a community setting as well.”
As people of all faiths meditated together, several people in attendance said they enjoyed the diversity of the group.
“I was lying in savasana (a meditation) listening to an 8-year-old ask questions in that special way that only a child can. Behind me, I heard my Muslim and Jewish friends were laughing together, so close to my Taoist Buddhist self, one mat over from a Christian attorney, who, along with his wife, gave the most memorable talk of my Chrysalis experience,” Jennifer Boggs said.“It was the perfect meditation.”
“This is fascinating,” said Ara Rahman, a member of the Peace Ambassadors. “What doors are opening left and right all over the place for peace. More and more the community is coming together, doing things together.”
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