Yoga Lovers Enjoy Calm and Company at 'Wanderlust'

While I am an unabashed Culver City lover—and my activities usually are never further north than Venice Boulevard (seriously)—every so often something strikes my fancy enough to call me north of the border. On Sunday it was Wanderlust Yoga in the City, which a daylong celebration of yoga on Santa Monica’s 3^rd Street Promenade.

I will admit that my favorite spots to let out my downward dog are local joints—RakSa, Goda Yoga and (for me) the Taj Mahal of all gyms, Spectrum Club Howard Hughes. When you walk in to one of these places, you immediately descend into instant calm, so I was little skeptical when I realized that I would be pretzel-ling myself on the concrete in between Barnes and Noble and Chipotle. But, being the adventurer I am (at least when it comes to fitness) I was willing to give it a shot.

Much to my surprise, instructor Shiva Rea created a unique experience on the Promenade. Accompanied by renowned musician Steve Gold, I and close to 60 attendees rose our hands, danced, stretched and sang, completely undistracted by curious onlookers. The weather was perfect, with a gentle breeze and slight sunshine. After participants took one of the three classes (though I met many yoga practitioners who were planning on doubling up their classes), we enjoyed goodies and made bracelets at the smartwater tent; smartwater teamed up with Wanderlust to create a seven-city national tour to promote “wellness and ignite social change” read the event’s press release. In all, the five-hour event in Santa Monica boasted 300 attendees across the three classes.  Next stop? Seattle, Wash.

As Sunday is the day I typically do yoga in Culver City, I felt that this event was the perfect end to my week, and for those in Wanderlust cities, I would definitely recommend it as a great way to meet fellow wellness buffs and enjoy sunshine and yoga.

Namaste.