West Hartford Yoga is sponsoring the seventh annual ‘Om Street: Yoga on LaSalle’ outdoor yoga practice in West Hartford Center.

By Ronni Newton

LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center will be closed to traffic Saturday morning as a crowd of all ages gathers on mats in the street for the free 75-minute yoga class that has become one of West Hartford’s signature summer activities.

Saturday, July 22 (rain date Aug. 12), marks the seventh annual “Om Street: Yoga on LaSalle” event. Last year’s event attracted approximately 2,000 people, and organizers are hopeful that as many as 2,500 yogis will show up for the 75-minute free outdoor practice in West Hartford Center.

The class, appropriate for all levels, will be led by Barbara Ruzansky, owner and director of West Hartford Yoga (WHY), and is scheduled to run from 8-9:15 a.m.

Event organizer Jen Leavitt said that more than 20 area studios and businesses are participating this year. Instructors from WHY as well as the other participating studios will be interspersed in the crowd to provide demonstrations, and will also be walking around providing assistance.

The class is structured so that it can be taken up or down a level, so it’s accessible for everyone. In the past there have been many kids who have come with their parents – a great opportunity to be together.

Live music – on drums, gongs, and the didgeridoo – will be provided by Cosmic Hue, under the direction of Craig Norton who has been Om Street’s musical director since the event began.

“New this year is ASL interpretation,” Leavitt said.

There is no registration for the event, but participants should arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of time to secure a spot. Spaces near the front, the intersection of LaSalle Road and Farmington Avenue, fill up much earlier.

Count on “Namaste” being the word of the day on Saturday in West Hartford.

Participating studios: