'Om Street' Draws More Than 1,700 Yogis - We-Ha

‘Om Street’ Draws More Than 1,700 Yogis

Published On: July 25, 2015Categories: Features, Happenings, Health, Lifestyle, The Center

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Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Photo by Amy Melvin

West Hartford Yoga studio presented the fifth annual ‘Om Street’ yoga class on LaSalle Road Saturday morning.

By Joy Taylor, Photos by Amy Melvin

If you felt some extra “peace” in the air on Saturday morning, it may have been due to the glorious weather, or perhaps it was all of the positive “Om” vibrations coming from West Hartford Center, specifically LaSalle Road, which, according to an estimate by the West Hartford Police, was filled with more than 1,700 practicing yogis.

West Hartford Yoga (WHY) founder and director Barbara Ruzansky led the 75-minute class with assistance from instructors from 49 other Connecticut yoga studios. Live musical accompaniment was provided by Hands on Drumming, led by Craig Norton.

Yoga mats stretched from Farmington Avenue to the front of Webster Bank at Arapahoe Road. Webster Bank offered water and restrooms to participants and many other businesses were open early for the morning crowd.

The West Hartford Farmer’s Market was bustling immediately following the class, and there were even yoga-inspired Italian ice flavors being served, with names such as “Meditative Mango” and “Savasana Raspberry.”

This annual event will be back in 2016, and attracts students of all ages, levels and abilities from around the state of Connecticut.

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Class is just about to begin, (notice the time on the Rolex clock). Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Barbara Ruzansky surrounded by fellow instructors and participants. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Many children participated this year. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. View of LaSalle Road from Farmington Ave. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Craig Norton, with Hands on Drumming, strolled and drummed. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015. Photo by Amy Melvin

Om Street 2015, presented by West Hartford Yoga on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2015, with musical accompaniment by Hands on Drumming with Craig Norton. Photo by Amy Melvin