Ashford residents, get ready to stretch and de-stress! Free weekly yoga classes are now happening every Sunday morning at Victoria Park. These popular sessions are already drawing over 100 people each week, offering a fantastic way to enjoy the benefits of yoga in a beautiful outdoor setting.
What You Need to Know:
- When: Every Sunday, 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, until mid-September.
- Where: Victoria Park, Ashford. Look for the Park Yoga flag on the green space near the Community Hub and Harper’s Café.
- Cost: Absolutely FREE!
- Bring: Just your yoga mat or a towel. No need to book – just show up and unwind!
These community classes, hosted by Park Yoga Ashford, are funded through a collaboration between Ashford Borough Council and Park Yoga, a charity dedicated to improving health and wellbeing through free outdoor yoga.
These sessions have been funded through a collaboration between Ashford Borough Council and Park Yoga, a charity who provides free community yoga classes around the UK to improve people’s health and wellbeing, with the added benefit of being held in the natural environment.
Park Yoga Ashford teacher, Elise Everest, said:
“I am equally humbled and thrilled by the number of people who have come to the classes so far. The feedback I’ve been receiving from them has been overwhelmingly positive and being able to practice yoga as a community, surrounded by green space is a joy.”
Park Yoga Ashford attendee, Alison, said:
“I really enjoyed my first yoga lesson, it’s a great start to Sunday morning and helps with fitness too. I’m really looking forward to more yoga under the open sky.”
Cllr Kate Walder, Cabinet Member for Parks and Recreation, said:
“Park Yoga Ashford is a brilliant complement to the park’s offering, providing those across the local community a chance to discover the benefits offered by yoga to body and mind in a welcoming, accessible environment.
“Along with both adult and junior Park Run, volunteering activities and all the many other reasons people visit our park, from walking the dog to catching up with friends and family, Victoria Park is a vital space for the Ashford community to enjoy the beautiful outdoors on their doorstep.”
Cllr Liz Wright, Cabinet Member for Communities and Health, said:
“Yoga is an activity that can be enjoyed by all and is excellent both for physical exercise and for meditation and relaxation, especially when taking place in fresh air and green space.
“I am delighted that Ashford and Park Yoga is offering this valuable contribution to the health and wellbeing of our community.”
To be kept up to date with the weekly classes, make sure you follow Park Yoga Ashford’s Facebook page.
Although there is a free car park at Victoria Park, spaces are limited and the car park can get busy at weekends. If you’re not far from the park, are able and happy to, we’d suggest walking, cycling or taking public transport or allowing plenty of time before the class to find a parking space.
An alternative car park is on Victoria Road, less than a 10-minute walk from the class. However please note that this is not free, so you’ll need to pay. You can find details of this car park on the council’s website.
Victoria Park is Ashford’s largest park, with excellent facilities including a large children’s play area, a Multi-Use Games Area, café and community space, accessible toilets, pump track, sensory garden, seasonal wetland, community orchard, listed fountain and walking and cycling paths.
There are also many opportunities to volunteer at Victoria Park, including sowing wildflower seeds, completing amphibian surveys and foraging workshops. For the latest events and volunteer opportunities, visit the Victoria Park website.