Mega Yoga Session Draws More Than 500 to White Plains

Hundreds of people gathered on Court Street for Wednesday evening’s  “Mega Yoga Event” in White Plains.

While the sight of seeing a large crowd of people practicing yoga in unison was a sight to behold, the organizers made sure to remind attendees about the purpose of the event—raising awareness and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness.

“We know that recovery is alway possible,” said Amy Kohn, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Westchester. “We know this, because we see it everyday. Someone that each you know has likely been troubled at some point and time with an emotional difficulty and we want you to know that you have party to turn to. That you and MHA, we work together.”

The event, in its second year, is sponsored by the Mental Health Association as way to spotlight the connection between mental health, wellness and yoga.

Constance Moustakas, the event organizer, said more than 500 people attended Wednesday’s event. That figure didn’t include the more than 100 volunteers and sponsors who were in attendance.

The first 500 people who attended received  freebies from event sponsors like Patch; Athleta, who gave out gift bags; White Plains Hospital, who gave out free yoga mats; and others. A full list of event sponsors and yoga studio partners can be found here.

Brooklyn-based world music band House Waters provided the music for attendees prior to the start of the yoga class.

The 94-year-old Tao Porchon-Lynch, who is the oldest yoga teacher in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, led things off with a meditation and renowned yoga teacher and wellness expert Sadie Nardini,  who hosts a daily yoga and lifestyle hour on Veria TV and is the creator of the Total Transformation yoga DVDs.

During the session, Nardini spoke about how she was left nearly paralyzed by about with viral meningitis as teenager that left her paralyzed from the waist down for two years. She was able to gain the strength to stand thanks to yoga.

“I found these tools of Yoga to be utterly transformative and give me my life back, give me possibilities back,” Nardini said.

White Plains Mayor Tom Roach said he was thrilled by the turnout Wednesday.

“To see people driving by, slowing down is wonderful,” Roach said. “It’s wonderful to see all of these people participating, but it’s great for people to be able to see this. It sends a message that this is a happening place.”