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PITTSTON – The sounds of a warm breeze, birds chirping and the flow of water was amplified under the bright sun as more than a dozen attendees set up their yoga mats facing a calm Susquehanna River at Pittston Riverfront Park on Sunday.
Father’s Day marked the first of what will be weekly “Yoga on the River” classes in Pittston throughout the summer months, held by Home Yoga and Barre Studios.
Classes are scheduled to take place at the park, located behind the former Cooper’s Seafood, every Sunday at 10:30, said studio instructor and Sunday’s class lead Diane Sachaczenski.
Multiple instructors rotate for each class during the summer event, also offering more than just yoga.
“Most of the time – I would say 75 percent of the time – it’s a yoga class,” she said. “But there are a couple Sunday mornings where it’s a barre class,” Sachaczenski said.
In its third year, the event was created as a collaboration between Home Yoga and Barre owner Alyssa Miller and the City of Pittston, Sachaczenski said, when Miller reached out to the city in search of a way to give back to the community.
Each class costs $5 for non-monthly members of the studio. The classes are free to members. Proceeds from the summer event go back into the city to help fund more events for the Pittston community.
While attendees were rolling out their mats and placing their water bottles, Sachaczenski gave a rundown of what Sunday’s class would cover.
“This morning we’re going to do a detox class, always good for after a Saturday night,” she said with a chuckle “So we’re going to be doing a lot of twists.”
She said each class is suited for all levels of yogi, and includes modifications and challenges for those more experienced in the practice.
Home and Barre member Patricia Thomas attended the outdoors event for the first time Sunday after hearing about it during a class. An avid believer in yoga, the Wyoming resident said practicing the moves helps her in a multitude of ways.
“I’m an old senior citizen, I have stenosis of the back and yoga helps me a great deal,” a laughing Thomas explained. “It helps my flexibility, it helps my balance. It is wonderful.”
Another attendee decided to make the event a family affair.
West Pittston resident Gretchen Smith turned the class into a Father’s Day celebration, bringing her father, husband and daughter to experience the calming outdoor scenery. The Pittston event was also a first for Smith, who enjoyed mixing the class with family time in the outdoors.
“So we’re having a family yoga event for Father’s Day,” she added.
Both women believed holding the event on the riverfront adds a new, positive and calming layer to the experience. Thomas and Smith are also more than happy to return throughout the summer for the classes.
For more information or to see a full class schedule, visit Home Yoga and Barre on Facebook.
