Ossining, Croton Studios Taking Yoga to the Street at Mega-Event

• The following article was written by Lanning Taliaferro. Dina Sciortino contributed to and posted this article.

Join three Ossining and Croton-on-Hudson studios in a journey to the groovy center of White Plains June 19 for an outdoor class taught by renowned yoga teacher Sadie Nardini.

It's the second annual Get on Your Mat for Mental Health on June 19 hosted by The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA), and it's a celebration of the connection between physical health, mental health and wellness.

"It's a really nice event," said Kate Graham of Hudson Yoga in Croton-on-Hudson, describing it to students.

The following three businesses are among the 37 yoga studios to partner with the Mental Health Association of Westchester:

• Dragonfly Wellness Yoga Studio - 109 Croton Avenue, Suite 205 in Ossining, (914) 236-3511

• Hudson Yoga - 5 Old Post Road South in Croton-on-Hudson (914) 271-3076

• The Ajna Center for Wellness & Community - 18 Old Post Road in Croton-on-Hudson (914) 827-0100

Last year's event drew more than 500 people on the summer solstice. The heat from the roadway, dissipating toward sunset, made it a hot yoga experience; and the music, food and displays crowned the successful evening.  

Hundreds of yoga mats were laid between Main Street and Martine Avenue for a musical performance by House of Waters from Brooklyn; guided meditation; and an hour-long yoga lesson by Gwen Lawrence of Mahopac—instructor for the New York Giants, Knicks and Rangers—in celebration of the summer solstice.  

Those who attended also got freebies from event sponsors like Patch; Athleta, who gave out gift bags; White Plains Hospital, who gave out free yoga mats; Whole Foods and others. 

This year, Tao Porchon-Lynch, the oldest living yoga teacher, according to the Guinness Book and this year’s Athleta Athlete of the Year, will lead the opening meditation. 

The event will be held under the open sky on Court Street (between Main Street and Martine Avenue). It promises to be enjoyable for beginning and veteran yoga students; children and adults.

House of Waters will return to entertain and enliven participants. 

The first 500 registrants receive a free yoga mat and bag and a goody bag. Registration is $20 in advance, $25 day of event and $10 for little yogis under age 10. Register at www.mhawestchester.org. 

Many Westchester yoga teachers and studios are involved with or promoting Get on Your Mat 2013.

See more about last year's event on Patch by clicking here.