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Yoga in the Park

07/13/2016 @ 08:00 am - 09:00 am
Glen Park

Come salute the sun, experience the grass beneath your feet, the sweet air of the morning, the sound of the Falls, a canopy of trees, birds singing and ducks meandering, and maybe a little sweat.

The haven of the outdoors coupled with an intelligent sequence of strength and flexibility makes for one incredibly beautiful morning!

A Community class which welcomes all levels and is offered at $10 or a class pass.

Where : At Glen Park

Directions to Park: located in Williamsville, 14221

Main St to Mill St. Left at Glen Ave. Park in any of the two parking lots. Walk towards Glen Falls. We practice on the grassy knoll next to the falls.

Sheridan Dr to Mill St. Right at Glen Ave. Park in any of the two parking lots. Walk towards Glen Falls

Inclement Weather: if the temp is below 60° or it is raining, class will be at the studio. If it is below 60° (like 58° or 59° and the temp is rising, go to the park!).

Top 10 Reasons to Practice Yoga Outdoors

  1. Being outside. If you live north of the Mason-Dixon Line, you have got to take advantage of the opportunity to get outside and blow the stink off. Seriously, any chance you can get outside for any activity between May and the first freeze have got to be taken advantage of. ’Nuff said.
  2. Amazing views. How cool is it to do a spread-legged forward fold and then, when you twist to the side, see a beautiful blue sky or the green leaves of a tree flapping in the wind? This is the view I had today during this very pose.
  3. Challenge. Anyone can practice inside but not everyone can practice with their feet in the sand, on grass, or on rocks. The ground might be uneven, an ant might crawl across your mat, or the sun may be shining in your eyes, but that is what makes outdoor practice so rewarding. You get to go outside your normal routine, feel the earth beneath your feet, and make playful adjustments to your asanas.
  4. The music comes courtesy of chirping birds, flowing wind, and the fall of water cascading down. I couldn’t put together a better playlist if I tried. Close your eyes to the sublime.
  5. Special effects. You may get the unexpected delight of seeing a pelican land in the stream, an egret soaring through the sky, or ducks waddling only a few feet (inches) from you.
  6. Growing your practice. Said special effects in #5 can also provide extra challenges in staying mindful and present. Yesterday, while practicing near the falls, I saw the ducks come waddling towards us...mom, dad, little ones all coming over to check out these strange animals on mats. I had to set those thoughts aside, resisting the urge to stop and stare, and get back to focusing on remaining present. Surely, this has to be good for building mental strength and clarity in my practice
  7. Sunshine. There’s just something special about doing a sun salutation when you can reach your arms up and truly salute the sun.
  8. Wind. Sometimes an outdoor yoga class can feel like hot/warm yoga. It can get a little toasty out there, but this is Buffalo, so we get our fair share of cool wind brushing across our faces.
  9. Incredible inversions. Getting into a handstand always feels pretty damn good, but when you get to do one and see the ducks and geese walk by, the pose takes on a whole new dimension.
  10. Post practice curriculum. Once your practice is complete, the postgame activity choices are pretty cool. A favorite is a walking meditation, a hike, or sitting with your eyes closed meditating near the Falls. Letting the sounds of nature envelop you provides an excellent way to seal in your practice.
Beth Steinberg
Photo of Beth Steinberg

Beth Steinberg recognized the beauty of yoga at Rising Sun in May of 2010, when the studio was housed in a tiny storefront in Snyder, NY. She knew as she walked out of her very first class that her life had just changed dramatically. While she had earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 45, and run/walked a half-marathon in celebration of her 50th birthday, Beth was at a point where she wanted something more than what she’d previously pursued, and was very intrigued by yoga’s approach to bettering one’s health and well-being.

Beth quickly discovered that yoga classes offered not only the physical exercise she wanted and needed, but also provided a much deeper, more holistic experience she was seeking. The arc of a class, from the opening centering meditation to the restful Savasana at the end, provided the physical work of stretching and strengthening, but enveloped it with a sense of peace, balance, meaning, and love. Yoga quickly became her passion and source of support, providing an avenue for reducing stress, helping her find perspective and balance, and acknowledging her most authentic self.

As her practice has grown and deepened, she has learned much about her body and its capabilities. She makes liberal use of props and modifications, and has learned not to regret her limitations. As a yoga instructor, Beth is dedicated to offering that same assistance and encouragement to all of her students — especially those who don’t feel flexible, thin, young, athletic, or beautiful enough to practice yoga. She knows that everybody and every body is capable of enjoying the vast array of benefits to mind, body, and soul that yoga offers. Beth considers her yoga practice a blessing, and is grateful to have earned her 200-Hour Teacher Certification at Rising Sun Yoga Studio.

Beth lives in Williamsville with her husband, her two Shelties, and whichever of her three children, all in their 20’s, happen to show up for a free meal, a hockey game on tv, or to do their laundry. She is an elementary schoolteacher at a private school in Amherst, NY, and delights in sharing yoga techniques for de-stressing with her young students.



$10.00