Instructors from the Art of Living Foundation in Folsom guided participants through a variety of deep breathing, meditative and yoga exercises each designed to foster mindfulness and joy.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Yogafest returned to Van Maren Park in Citrus Heights on Saturday, May 2 as participants shared a special evening of movement, mindfulness and meditation.

The free, three-hour public event, offering yoga sessions for both beginners and expert levels, was sponsored by the city of Citrus Heights and the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation in Folsom, and held just before sunset in the park from 5 to 8 p.m.

The estimated total number of participants might have been less at the start than the nearly 100 who gathered for last year’s event, as those in attendance all found a comfortable place close to the front stage to breathe, stretch and connect.

Bodies moved gently into familiar individual yoga positions, each allowing for a period of focused breathing, and then into another.

Instructors from the Art of Living Foundation in Folsom guided participants through a variety of deep breathing, meditative and yoga exercises each designed to foster mindfulness and joy.

Founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Foundation is a humanitarian non-profit organization operating in more than 155 countries.

The foundation’s Happiness Program, with local centers in Folsom, Sacramento and Roseville, teaches rhythmic breathing exercises and deep meditation, along with guided yoga to help reduce stress and heal the mind and body.

Holistic and vegan food vendors also provided food and refreshments to participants who received a keepsake yellow t-shirt and informed of city-sponsored discounts on available Art of Living Foundation courses and programs.

In the first hour’s introductory yoga session, largely suitable for all levels and ages, participants were invited to center their minds and calm their senses through a combination of guided breathwork, movement and deep meditation exercises.

Bodies moved gently into familiar individual yoga positions, each allowing for a period of focused breathing, and then into another.

Yoga Fest concluded with an hour-long sunset music and sound healing journey from 7 to 8 p.m. sending off participants with soothing vibrations to fully uplift the spirit. 

Last year, now former Mayor Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa, City Manager Ash Feeney and other city leaders attending Yoga Fest presented the Art of Living Foundation in an official proclamation for their “ongoing contributions to the health and harmony of the community” recognizing Yoga Fest Day in the City of Citrus Heights.

Karpinski-Costa enjoyed the evening’s Yogafest at Van Maren Park and brought her yoga mat along to enjoy the evening’s opening session of movement and meditation.

The city citation last year officially recognized the first Yoga Day as an “opportunity for residents of Citrus Heights and surrounding communities to come together in celebration of health, mindfulness and inner peace through yoga, breathwork, music and cultural expression.”

Yoga Fest concluded with an hour-long sunset music and sound healing journey from 7 to 8 p.m. sending off participants with soothing vibrations to fully uplift the spirit.

For additional information about ongoing programs and classes offered by the Art of Living Foundation in Folsom, visit: aolhappinesshub.org or call 800-314-7050.