“People come to a place where they feel comfortable, as opposed to going into a studio. Their mental health stabilizes and they feel at peace.”
Dharma Shakiti
Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Dharma Shakti’s name.
After being closed from April to July due to COVID-19, free Yoga on the Bluff is open to the public for anyone who wants to join.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a large group of people can be found practicing yoga every single day, at 11 a.m. on the corner on Junipero Ave. and Ocean Blvd.
According to the County of Los Angeles Public Health, as of June 12, fitness establishments were officially allowed to reopen, as long as they adhere to the requirements, such as being outdoors and socially distanced.
This class was created by Dharma Shakti, who also has a yoga studio called Yogalution Movement. These Yoga on the Bluff classes are donation-based with people coming from all around the city of Long Beach.
These free classes have been a part of the community since 2007, quickly growing into over 100 people attending these classes on a daily basis. It has brought the community a way to meet other people with the same interests and provided an outlet for any stress in their lives.
Dharma Shakti said she is excited to be open again and has placed new safety regulations. She said, “We ask that they wear a mask upon arrival, they social distance, and when they leave they wear a mask.”
With these regulations, many people are still eager to arrive and take up most of the park space. A frequent visitor, Isabel Cortes said, “I am very excited. To be able to go out in the fresh air and to be around other people is a good feeling.”
For those who are still not comfortable attending these in-person classes, there is a daily live Facebook stream for anyone to watch and participate in.
With these unprecedented times, yoga has brought the community together by being able to gather, even when socially distanced, and relax in nature.
Shakti said, “People come to a place where they feel comfortable, as opposed to going into a studio. Their mental health stabilizes and they feel at peace.”
Since this is a free yoga class, it has given people who do not have the money to pay for a studio class to have access to the practice of yoga, giving people a chance to try something new that they otherwise may not be able to.
Cortes said, “This yoga class made a positive impact on the community by bringing people together everyday and enjoying nature. It is such a blessing that it is free, since I wouldn’t be able to pay for a normal studio.”
Shakti also shared how yoga can help a person in many more ways. “We get feedback from people that get off surgery, get through school finals, divorce, and whatever people are going through.”
Many people are finding ways to self heal with this practice of mind, body and spirit, especially amid a global pandemic where anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders are impacting many.
With new policies changing everyday, the community hopes that these classes will continue.
Cortes shared, “I hope these classes don’t stop. It really makes an impact on my daily life for the better.”
For those who can make it a few times a week in person or online, Yoga on the Bluff allows many Long Beach residents to practice yoga with an open mindset and no need for expensive equipment. For those looking to relieve stress, there will always be this gem on the bluff.