The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is excited for the return of YogaPalooza, a celebration of International Day of Yoga. In collaboration with UConn Avery Point, the event will once again take place with the gorgeous backdrop of Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Thames at the Branford House on the UConn Avery Point Campus.

"YogaPalooza is a dream come true for me. There weren't any local celebrations for International Day of Yoga in our area in the past, so I created one with the help of the Mystic Chamber and UCONN Avery Point. I don't do it alone; this year our committee has grown and we have worked together to create more offerings for the participants and new pricing options. There is something for everyone at this extraordinary event,” said Annie Chapman, Earth Annie Yoga, a local yoga teacher whose home base is Mystic Yoga Shala who helped to initiate the now annual event.

Since 2015, International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on June 21st following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Originated from India, yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice. The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in his UN address in 2014, had suggested the date of June 21st, as it is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world.

“This is the perfect opportunity to take a mid-week break and welcome summer.  The Chamber is committed to supporting the local community and this event not only showcases the UConn Avery Point campus and Groton City, but also, over a dozen local yoga instructors and their studios,” said Bruce Flax, President of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce

Scheduled to start at noon, and go until 8 p.m., the event will feature the following local yoga instructors for all levels and many varieties of yoga, including slow flow, mobility, breathwork and vinyasa. For exact times and locations please visit www.mysticchamber.org/yogapalooza.

Cassie Arroyo | Dance Country - Natural Flow Yoga
Tracy Blasioli | Blissworks Yoga - Mindfulness Yoga
Lisa Bragaw | Zen & Now - Flexibility & Mobility
Stephanie Casillas | Get Bent - All Levels Vinyasa
Annie Chapman | Mystic Yoga Shala - Yin Yoga
Kelly Harper | Get Bent - Mandala Flow
Chelsea Hauck | Bluebird Yoga - Find Your Base: Physioyoga
Genipher Love | Gypsee Genipher - Love&Light Flow
Megan Mulrine | Niantic Yoga - Yoga & Mythology
Danielle Newton | Be Brave Yoga - Dynamic Vinyasa
Trish Reyburn | Blissworks Yoga - Align & Shine
Neiley Rushford Snide | Peace Of Space - Summer Slow Flow
Rachna Tewari | Swasthyam Wellness Center / YMCA - Summer Ayurvedic Yoga
Johnny & Bethany | Breathwork For Emotional Release
Danielle Newton and Vedaji | Kirtan
Marlisa Energy | Sound Bath

In addition, the event will feature two yoga classes for children:

Lynne Purtill | Mystic Yoga Shala – Kids Yoga
Michelle Vanase | Norwich Recreation - Teen Yoga                                                          

There are a series of special evening presentations beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting through the late-day sunset. This is a separate ticket or included in the Namaste pass. Take the time to treat yourself and join us!

Danielle Newton, with her teacher Vedaji, will be doing Kirtan, a call-and-response style song or chant, set to music, wherein multiple singers recite or describe a legend, or express loving devotion to a deity, or discuss spiritual ideas. Marlissa Energy will present a Gong Bath of sound healing.

In addition to yoga classes and music, healthy food and a marketplace of like-minded vendors is scheduled. Tickets are $60 for the “Nama” Stay All-Day Event Pass, $30 for just the day events and $40 for evening only.

There is a student price (kindergarten to college-age) available for $20. Tickets can be purchased at mysticchamber.org. The event is sponsored by UConn Avery Point, Curaleaf, Soul Friend, Westerly Sun, Mystic Seaport, Fairview and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

Yoga focuses on our similarities and brings us together. Join us for a spectacular afternoon of health and wellness on a beautiful campus overlooking the sea for various forms of yoga, meditation and singing.