BH Vegan Fest Evening Yoga Offers Relaxation, Mindful Learning

On Friday, September 20, 2019, people of all ages and levels of fitness gathered in The Grove Park in Berkeley Heights, NJ for two yoga sessions at sunset. Equipped with yoga mats and comfortable clothing, participants took their places on the round dais that was partially surrounded by a waterfall fountain to find their mind/body/spirit connection. Instructors LeeAnn Gerrato and Crystal Maldonado, both who received their yoga instructor certifications at Lifetime Fitness, each led one-hour sessions in which they guided participants through yoga flow routines that incorporated meditation, breathing techniques, balancing, and poses intended to awaken all muscle groups.

Both Gerrato and Maldonado offered words of wisdom at the beginning and end of their respective sessions. This enabled all who attended to leave each session refreshed, stimulated, and ready to focus on being mindful in the actions they took both at the sessions and thereafter.

In the spirit of providing attendees with physical and mental benefits, event co-producers Sustainable Berkeley Heights and the Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission (BHEC) gave away prizes from event sponsors. All attendees received free event t-shirts.

Sustainable Berkeley Heights also had re-usable mesh vegetable- and fruit-holding bags available for examination and purchase in effort to educate the public about reducing their use of single-use plastic bags when purchasing fruits and vegetables at the supermarket, farmers market, etc.

As proof that one does not need to be a vegan to benefit from yoga, most event attendees indicated that they were not vegans. A number of attendees, though, signed-up to take the Vegan Quest pledge to try incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their diets for one day, one week, or longer.

For additional information regarding Berkeley Heights Vegan Fest, the Vegan Quest, and other helpful facts, visit the Sustainable Berkeley Heights website at www.sustainablebh.org and the BHEC website at https://www.berkeleyheights.gov/387/Vegan-Fest.