By VICTORIA ADDISON
Staff Writer
The group gathered in an empty field behind the fountain, framed by budding trees and gravel pathways filled with pedestrians. The sun shone through a clear blue sky on the last Sunday in April, illuminating the brightly colored tulips around the heart of Washington Park.
The grass, speckled with dandelions and other weeds, was covered in colorful yoga mats and discarded shoes.
As the participants began to settle in, the sound of birds chirping, dogs barking and people passing by was broken up by a playlist that included songs from Florence and the Machine and Edie Brickell.
“We’re not just sitting in poses. I’m going to make you work a little,” said instructor Robyn Filkins as everyone sat on their mats waiting for the class to begin.
As always, the session was opened with a quote. Today’s was from the 14th Dalai Lama.
“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow. Today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”
With that, this year’s second Yoga in the Park session began.
Started last year by Filkins, Yoga in the Park runs from late April until early October every Sunday around 1 p.m. It lasts for roughly an hour.
“As soon as it starts getting really cold out I stop it, but usually we can go until almost October,” said Filkins. “Basically, if it’s going to be above 55 degrees it’ll happen.”
The classes are welcome to people of all ages. Last week, around 15 people attended.
For Albany resident Connie Dunn, it was her first time doing yoga.
“It was interesting. I liked it,” she said. “I haven’t exercised in a long time either, so my body hurts.”
Since most of the sessions feature beginners, Filkins tries to hold different types of beginner poses longer to help build and strengthen their foundations. She touches on all levels of yoga, trying to focus on strength and balance. Throughout the class, she continually encourages participants to go at their own pace.
For those who are more advanced, Filkins suggest they play around more with the poses to challenge themselves.
“I’m not really experienced, but it was kind of easy,” said participant Molly Eadie, who had done yoga a handful of times prior to the class.
The fee to participate is $8, but Filkins is flexible for those who lack the funds.
“I went into yoga because I didn’t want it to be inaccessible to people. A lot of studios charge $10 to 15 per class, so if anybody really has a financial hardship and really want to come but can’t afford anything then they can always just message me,” she said.
Filkins uses part of the profits to pay for her training and insurance and then donates 25 percent, whether it be an addiction counseling center, an environmental group or to a suggested charity. So far this year, she has donated to the Bernie Sanders campaign and the humane society.
The idea to start Yoga in the Park was sparked by Filkin’s friends, who kept begging her to teach them yoga.
“I was like this is kind of my job, let’s do it outside. At least in a fun place where it’s not just one on one, let’s try to get everybody involved,” she said.
A current resident of Selkirk, about 20 minutes south of Albany, Filkins started practicing yoga five years ago and began to teach two years in.
Apart from Yoga in the Park, she also offers a monthly yoga session inside a bar in the Capital Region. Known as “Yoga and Brews,” participants are allowed to drink before, after or during the class. This month’s will take place at the Parish Public House in downtown Albany.
“It’s a way to try to get the guys out there too,” she said.
Although Filkins does not own her own studio, she teaches sessions at the Hope House for children and teenagers when she’s not working at Mary Jane Books. She also offers private sessions and has even done workshops that involve hula hoops at studios.
Weather permitting, Yoga in the Park will continue to run each Sunday. Updates and cancellations can be found on the Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/yogaintheparkalbany.
“In all it brings a better, stronger community,” said Filkins. “If the people are healthy, the community can be healthy.”
