Fitness Carter

Monday, October 28, 2013

Echo Park Yoga Classes Irk Some Residents - Patch.com

The class organizer says he is simply trying to create a sense of community in Echo Park through free yoga classes.


A new weekly yoga meetup group that utilizes the open grassy areas of Echo Park has come under fire from some in the community.

As originally reported by Eastsider LA[1] , some residents have taken to the Echo Elysian Neighborhood Councils Forum[2] to express their concerns over the free yoga class that meets in Echo Park on a weekly basis.


The debate started with a public post by Judy Raskin, who questioned whether the yoga class was using public space and charging participants a fee.


"A physical trainer took over a good sized hunk of the north east lawn this morning (about half-tennis court size) and spread out about ten mats, set up a table with a basket and other stuff," Raskin wrote in a post in the forum. "This person is probably charging while using prime lawn space at the park... This is just as bad as the guys on blankets selling used clothing. How do we stop this?"


Others in the forum questioned whether the class needed a permit and argued that once yoga mats were placed on the ground, the classes were claiming space in a public park. One commenter also accused the yoga instructor of setting up yoga classes on property that doesn't belong to him.


"All this is fine, but you do realize that you are doing this on SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY?" asked Michael O'Brien. "I don't think that you would appreciate someone setting up a class on your property without permission."


The organizer of the yoga event, which does not charge participants for the classes, said he simply wants to create a sense of community in Echo Park through the yoga events.


"My intention was to create a space where people can come together and do something positive, connect to fellow Echo Parkians, as well motivate and inspire one another to be better, healthier, people," said Steve, who did not provide his last name in the forum. "I am really saddened that people seem to be accusing me of doing something so terrible and malicious... It really is just a simple yoga class that everyone can enjoy."


Steve said that all class are free and open to anyone who wishes to join. He said the classes typically last an hour and participants even pick up trash around their area before and after the class.


"We respect that the park is a public space, available for everyone, and do not ask people to move or discourage people to stay away," Steve said. "In fact quite the opposite, people usually sit around and watch and enjoy our positive energy."


Other on the forum also came to the defense of the yoga classes and called any complaints non-issues.


The next free yoga meetup will take place Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the grassy area in the northeast corner of the park. Classes accept donations but are free and open to the public, according to organizers.


What do you think of public yoga classes in Echo Park? Tell us in the comments.




References



  1. ^ As originally reported by Eastsider LA (www.theeastsiderla.com)

  2. ^ Echo Elysian Neighborhood Councils Forum (groups.yahoo.com)



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