By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
The Lake Orion Farmer’s Market just received a grant that will benefit anyone who is interested in stretching out.
It was one of the five market communities chosen as part of the ‘Growing Quality of Life Project-The Oakland County Farmer’s Market’ funded by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Urban Farmer’s Market Program from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
On Wednesday, September 11 from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. Alan Haras from Hamsa Yoga will be teaching a free community yoga class. Each participant will receive a complimentary yoga mat and a BPA-free water bottle.
Haras teaches at Hamsa Yoga, which he also owns, in downtown Lake Orion. He is a certified 500-Hour yoga teacher, holds a B.A. in religious studies, and has been teaching yoga for 10 years. Josh Martelli from Orion Music Studio will provide a jazz session as a back drop.
Haras’ wife Rita will also be giving a healthy eating talk immediately following the yoga class, which will take place at the LO Farmer’s Market behind Children’s Park. She hosts the ONTV healthy eating living program The Daily Well.
DDA Farmer’s Market manager Janet Hartman researched many healthy activities before choosing to feature yoga.
Hartman said the goal was to bring healthy living components to the market, and chose Hamsa for several reasons.
“Hamsa was just across the street, I handled their ribbon cutting and Alan’s been involved with lots of different events. He always brings that wisdom of everything, and it’s really refreshing,” she said. “He could be on sight, giving his expertise, and maybe draw some people into the yoga lifestyle, and with any luck draw some business to Hamsa Yoga too.”
Haras teaches all levels of yoga at this center specializing in both the physical and mental aspects of yoga, including breathing exercises and a variety of different postures to help center the mind.
The LO Farmer’s Market was presented their award at the beginning of the summer, and hopes the entire town can come out for the free yoga event.
“I had thought I was going to pre-register people, and be limited on yoga mats, but Jeremy Brown (County Market Manager) got a really good deal, so there’s not going to be any limit,” Hartman said.