A group of aspiring yoga students sit on the grass at Stan Clarke Park on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. Everything is quiet except for the older model car coming down Second Avenue with its windows down and music turned up. Music still playing, the vehicle stops and the driver gets out and dances to the last 30 seconds of the song in front of on-looking students. When it's done she walks towards the group and introduces her self. She is Bobbi Clark and she will be our "play" yoga instructor today.
From the moment Clark begins shaking hands and hugging her students, the class is put at ease. Soon, she begins her series of stretches and breathing exercises in the outdoor setting.
Clark teaches play yoga by donation every Sunday at the park at 9:15 a.m. a style of practice she developed herself.
"I named it play yoga because it is a not formal, traditional yoga. It is there for people to have the opportunity to come into a relaxed non-intimidating environment and learn the basics of yoga," she said. "Play yoga invites a sense of ease, relaxation and enjoyment."
Clark said practicing outside brings more energy and vitality into the body.
"There is a larger supply of fresh oxygen and there is more sunshine energy," she said. "If it is raining we don't practice because it makes people uncomfortable, and the most important thing in life and in practice is to be comfortable and stress free."
Raised in Calgary, Clark experienced her "spiritual awakening" and began her yoga journey in 2002 while in Thailand."As far as I can remember it was in Thailand in the east. Practice of the healing arts are prevalent in eastern cultures," she said. "I went to a class and it was very calming and soothing for my body and my mind. It awakened my spiritual self."
In 2003, she began her training and in September of 2004 she met a "kindred spirit" in Squamish and together they enrolled in the teacher-training program at Yoga Oasis in Woodbury, New York.
"It was a very intense and profound experience of self transformation and it was my first experience with the oneness of all living," said Clark about the training. "It is really hard to describe. Not through words, not through pictures, only through experience."
Living in Squamish for the past three summers, Clark now plans to study traditional Chinese medicine in the fall in Nelson. She said studying yoga has given her peace and she would like to share it with everyone.
"I am more than just body and mind - I am a part of the infinite universe and for me everlasting peace within myself is only achieved through yoga. For one who practices it regularly, it is a tool to set yourself free and from pain and suffering," she said. "I want to make yoga available to anyone and anybody. Health, wellness and peace are a basic human right, which should have no cost and that is why my classes are by donation."
Play Yoga with Bobbi happens every dry Sunday at 9:15 a.m. at Stan Clarke Park across from municipal hall. Classes are one and a half hours and are by donation.
