Stony Creek’s Morning Yoga Offers Relaxing Start to Weekend

Picture an early summer morning yoga session at the beach.

The sun warms your skin while you stretch, pose as a bridge, or even work on your warrior stance.

Such is the scene every Saturday at 8 a.m. through Aug. 27 at ’s Eastwood beach during Registered Yoga Teacher Kathy Vesprini’s sessions. Classes, geared for adults, are open to new participants and cost $7 per session or $30 for seven classes. 

“Most of us have (stress) in our lives with the economy, work, or all types of things in your life. Yoga is one of the best ways to let that go,” Vesprini said at the July 2  class, where she led five women in various stretches and poses for about an hour. 

Vesprini rakes the sand to clear a flat surface for participants, who show up with their own yoga mats and beach towels. Then, she asks if anyone has concerns with their bodies, as all fitness levels are welcome to attend. Modifications to make poses either more challenging or easier are offered throughout. 

She reminds participants to do only what they’re capable of and to keep focus on their breathing and the way they feel. 

“Anytime you feel you are losing your breath or things are too much ... anybody that does yoga a lot knows its the experienced yogains that know when to slow down,” Vesprini said. “All of the type-A personalities that want to keep going miss the benefits of yoga.” 

Each session has a different theme (or intention) which will lead to some varied poses; however, Vesprini tries to keep the flow of the classes the same so people know what to expect. The theme for the most recent class was living in the present and Vesprini reminded participants to keep their minds focused on the now. The sounds of the birds and the slow flow of the waves offered tranquil background noise. 

Sessions start with focused breathing and centering, move on to a gentle warmup, then to poses that require energy: including balancing poses, like Mountain, and those that build core strength. There were also inversion poses (where the legs are higher than the heart), and a yin pose to loosen connective tissue before a cool down and stretch. The session ends with the Savasana pose.

“One of the participants new to yoga said that during the last part of the class (during the Savasana or Corpse Pose) that she totally felt like she was floating on the water. You could really hear the waves during that session. I told her she got what yoga is all about. It made my day; great when someone is in the moment,” Vesprini said. 

Others said the outdoor elements, such as the sandy beach, helped make the poses easier.

“I liked it better in the sand because I was able to anchor my feet in,” said Dorota Jakuc, of Shelby Township. 

Participant Donna Corbett said she simply enjoyed being outdoors.

“I love it. It’s great, it’s very relaxing and I love being outside doing it,” Corbett said. 

For more information contact Vesprini at theyogapath.kdv@gmail.com or call 586-918-8407. A vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $25 annually for regular admission, $15 annually for seniors, or $5 daily. General information can be found at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1-800-47-PARKS.

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