Oklahoma City YogaFest at Paseo 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Old Trinity of Paseo 100 N. Lee Ave. oklahomacityyogafest.com $12-$50
Oklahoma City is booming with new sports teams, businesses and events. This rapid growth in athletics also extends to the yoga community with five new studios that opened within the last year. Because of this, Martha McQuaid of Spirit House Yoga and Christina Forth of yogainoklahoma.com decided to bring the yoga community together for Oklahoma City YogaFest at Paseo, a two-day festival to spur camaraderie between like-minded yoga enthusiasts. YogaFest will occur in conjunction with Paseo Arts Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Old Trinity of Paseo, 100 N. Lee Ave. in the Paseo Arts District. There will also be an evening yoga soundbath event starting Saturday at 7 p.m. The event will feature yoga instructor Trinity Mays and the band Quantum Calm. It will include music from native instruments such as the didgeridoo and chimes. Forth said this will lead students into a deep state of relaxation and restoration. Oklahoma City YogaFest will feature teachers from each studio in Oklahoma City and a broad range of styles and techniques. It is friendly to beginners, and everyone is welcome. “We will have great local teachers, an inclusive community and fun,” Forth said. “We want people to come enjoy community and skilled teachers, teachers who have trained and traveled around the country.” Forth bragged on Oklahoma City’s own McQuaid and said she is one of the top teachers in the nation. “I used to be a professional musician,” McQuaid said. “I spent too much time in my head and needed to spend more time in my body. I took [yoga] teacher training and found myself in a different career.” She then opened Spirit House Yoga and just celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Yoga has become more mainstream, reaching more people. Forth said it’s different than the gym. It brings stress reduction, pain reduction and health benefits. This is a huge factor and contributes to it reaching so many people. Forth said YogaFest is a way to connect with the body in more than just exercise. “This is a chance to meet friends and have fun,” Forth said. “It’s for all levels and will be a mix of styles, with something for everyone. [The yoga community in OKC] are little islands. This YogaFest brings us together for a play date.” Along with the chance to practice yoga, there will also be tables in the courtyard of the church with information on the local studios and healing providers. McQuaid said it will be an opportunity to connect with healers, massage therapists, acupuncturists and naturopaths who specialize in alternative medicine. Space is limited, so get tickets early. It is $50 per day for six classes. The evening event is $25, and single classes are $12 each. Forth said that most yoga weekend workshops can cost up to $250, so this is a steal. It is recommended that participants bring their own mats, blocks and other props. Some will be available, but it’s better to bring one from home. For a full schedule of each class and times, visit oklahomacityyogafest. com or the Oklahoma City YogaFest Facebook page for the chance to win class giveaways.
