Plant City Main Street has officially partnered with Koa Yoga Studio and is now offering a free monthly yoga class in the park. The class is held the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is completely free for all to attend.
All you have to do is register on the Main Street’s event page on Facebook and you’re all set for what will arguably be the most relaxing morning of the month.
“My goal for the upcoming year is to have more community events that bring people downtown,” Jerilyn Rumbarger, executive director of Main Street, said. “Koa is a new member of Main Street and when she joined I asked if she would host a yoga in the park in the hopes that it would bring people downtown. It all kind of flows under the ‘meet me in downtown’ concept that Main Street is fighting for. Just having people downtown and seeing that there are people downtown and businesses downtown and fun events downtown, it can alter the community’s mindset and hopefully show them that downtown is a thriving and great place to spend time. Things like this event are immediate efforts we feel are going to impact the downtown core as a whole, both now and in our long-term goals.”
Katie Medina, teacher and owner of Koa Yoga, has long sought to help Plant Citians navigate through this fast-paced society. The growing number of clients that flock to her doors are proving the relaxing and structured programming is making its mark.
A storm was brewing. Black clouds drifted slowly over the heart of downtown on Jan. 4, bringing refreshing wisps of winds through McCall Park and gently whipping around a quiet crowd of nearly 20 stretching on yoga mats, starting their new year with a search for serenity. Thanks to the incoming storm, the weather was brisk Saturday morning and Medina casually weaved around the mats as she explained the poses and demonstrated what she wanted the group to do. Her calm voice acted like a foundation the attendees could latch onto as they slipped further and further into relaxation while also gently pushing their bodies into a firm stretch.
Medina took several moments throughout the routine to explain the purpose behind some of the movements the attendees were reaching for. Unlike so many fast-paced workout routines, Medina’s class focused on how the flow moves the spine and muscles and what the true goal of some of the movements are. Regardless of skill level, everyone excelled under Medina’s tutelage and walked away feeling like they’d had a healthy start to the day.
“We want to bring yoga to Plant City and everyone wants to come downtown, so it seemed like a wonderful opportunity when Jerilyn reached out to us,” Medina said. “I think it’s a great way, even if we don’t get people in the community through our actual doors, to know that yoga is here in town for them. It’s all about the community. Health and wellness is so important and there’s no time like the present to start taking that seriously. We are doing an all levels flow during this session, which means it’s friendly for everyone. I’m more than happy to help anyone with modifications. Today we had someone who was pregnant so I had her do a few things slightly different than the group. If I ever have someone with special needs register that will work best with a chair, I’ll make sure I bring one so they can join us. This class is a nice combination because it really is accessible to everyone.”
The Koa Yoga Studio, 2806 James L. Redman Parkway #205, is also offering specials for the new year. For the rest of the month, it’s offering one year of unlimited yoga for $720 and 30 days of yoga for $30. You can learn more by heading to The Koa Yoga Studio’s Facebook or Instagram or by heading to thekoayoga.com.
The once a month downtown is free, but Main Street asks that interested attendees register in advance so Medina will know what to expect when tailoring the session for the group. Walk ups are also welcome and a few of those who came Saturday morning stopped only because they saw the group gathering under the burgeoning clouds.
Attendees are asked to bring their own mat and bottled water and are encouraged to wear flexible clothing. Medina also brings a small basket of mats for those who walk up or forgot their own though, so a few spontaneous drop-ins are welcomed.
“We’re really just wanting to bring people downtown,” Rumbarger said. “The hope is these people come and have a relaxing session with Katie and then spend the rest of the morning and afternoon here. Maybe they’ll go get a cup of coffee or go shopping in the many businesses down here or go to lunch with their friends. It’ll be a relaxing Saturday morning for everyone and we’re really excited that we can offer this for the community.”