This project was eligible for matching funds through (old) 2016 Healthy Neighborhoods Challenge

Let's Get Moving! Bringing Free Yoga to the Park.

We are seeking to provide a relaxing and healthful experience to LES residents by bringing a short-term, weekly, free, outdoor yoga class to Corlears Hook Park in the spring of 2017.

Leader

Michael Marino

Location

397 FDR Drive New York, NY 10002

About the project

Our program seeks to showcase Corlears Hook Park as a vital community resource by bringing an opportunity for the local community to enjoy the park through the relaxing and healthful benefits of yoga. We are seeking to bring a weekly outdoor yoga class to the park in the spring of 2017. Classes would be free to the public and open to all levels of experience from beginner to advanced practitioners.

While there are more than 100 different types, or schools, of yoga, most sessions typically include breathing exercises, meditation, and assuming postures (sometimes called asana or poses) that stretch and flex various muscle groups. The purpose of yoga is to create strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body. Yoga can have both physical and mental benefits to area residents. The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. Yoga’s incorporation of meditation and breathing can help create mental clarity and calmness, increase body awareness, relieve chronic stress patterns, relax the mind, and sharpen concentration.

The Steps

August to September 2016 - Fundraising Campaign through IOBY

October to November - Additional fundraising campaign (if needed)

December to March - Secure instructor, plan class dates, create marketing materials

April - Marketing to community

May to June - Classes occur.

Why we‘re doing it

Corlears Hook park and the surrounding residential buildings are at the most eastern edge of the Lower East Side and as such there are limited opportunities for residence to participate in group exercise activities. Though some of the buildings in the area have their own gyms, none of them offer group classes. The closest gym in the area with group classes is housed about 1/2 a mile away at the Manny Cantor Center but many residents cannot afford to pay the membership fee. It is our hope that by bringing free summer yoga classes to the park nearby residents will be able to take advantage of a program that will have a direct benefit to their health and relaxation.

$3,415.00

Raised

$3,415.00 / $3,290.00

Ended