All photos by Simone Jowell
by Andy Holland
Emily Miller and I brought Yoga Rocks the Park (YRP) to CLE in 2012, and at that time CLE became the 6th city to have a YRP. As far as costs go, we charge $15 for a ticket which includes a 75-minute yoga class with live music. This fee goes towards maintaining and growing the event in our city. Our mission is to bring yoga to as many people in not only the Cleveland Community, but to communities across the U.S. which each locally managed and supported event (we are now in 20 cities across the U.S.) We have always maintained this policy: If someone comes to the event and can’t afford the $15 we would ask if they can make a donation, and if they can’t they would still be able to join in for FREE. Our kids yoga program, Camp YRP in Cleveland is FREE.
“No one would be turned away that can’t afford this yoga practice.” -Andrew Holland
There is no entrance fee to enter the park, the music and amazing energy that we create is free for all to come and enjoy!
In our first year we worked with Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC) and they were very helpful. They told me TWDC doesn’t permit for the park, and that we would need to go through the city recreation department.
We did so, and even worked well with the city – including a big compromise to allow for both the Tremont West Tee Ball League and YRP to use Lincoln Park at the same time.
This year, we sent in our forms to the department of recreation but we got a call in response. “Do you charge for your event?” I was asked. “Yes, we charge a mat space fee.”
I was told “You can’t charge in this public park.” That was the end of the conversation.
Councilman Joe Cimperman has involved himself, higher levels of government are looking at it, and we’re fighting to keep our health-oriented program in Lincoln Park.
The Councilman thanked me for bringing this program to Tremont, said that our fee was well in line with other fee-based park events, and said YRP is very much in line with the new “Healthy Cleveland” initiative.
Our permit still came back rejected on cost.
Most recently, the board of Tremont West wrote a letter to the city asking for our permit to be reconsidered, and we’re encouraged that all will go well from this point forward.
We optimistically look forward to seeing you in Lincoln Park this summer!
For more information on Yoga Rocks the Park, email aholland@openskyeventmarketing.com
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP . EMAIL YRP CLEVELAND
From http://www.yogarocksthepark.com/cleveland.html:
“We invite you to come rock the park with us in your city this spring/summer and join our mission to celebrate commUNITY, giving and wellness in the great outdoors!
The weekly events feature an ALL-LEVELS 75-minute yoga class (BEGINNERS WELCOME!) featuring the areas most inspiring yoga teachers and kids yoga program, Camp YRP (for your little yogis), accompanied by live music with some of the top and emerging musicians in the country. We also provide unique access to innovators in health & wellness in our vendor village.“We embrace the grassroots soul of our events and each event series is locallymanaged, staffed and supported in 20+ cities across the U.S. The event series in each city runs on select Saturdays & Sundays in the spring/summer, donating 10% of the net-profits to local and global causes.”
