Rejoicing in Ripon: Ripon’s International Yoga Day celebration is a shining success
🧘♀️🌿Ripon’s International Yoga Day celebration is a shining success✨
The sun shone high in an eve of solstice sky above Ripon’s stunning Old Deanery Hotel and fine dining restaurant on Saturday, while more than 800 people took part in an inclusive and immersive International Yoga Day celebration on Saturday. ☀️
Some were trying out the exercises and meditations for a first time, while others were seasoned mat carriers and beneficiaries of meditative mindfulness, with its sights and sounds designed to bring inner peace.
The holistic approach to having a healthy mind and healthy body could be sampled in the sylvan surroundings of the Old Deanery’s gardens, where the sound of drums and mantras drifted through the cops of whispering willow trees and onto the manicured lawns at the rear of the former Jacobian manor house, where dozens under expert instruction struck numerous poses.🌳💚
Liz Hill, who with her husband Kevin owns and runs the Karma clothing and gifts boutique on Kirkgate, told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog:
“Enormous thanks go to Chris and Rebecca Layton who provided free use of their superb facilities, which enabled us to take Ripon’s second International Yoga Day celebration to a new level and inspired us to start making plans for an even bigger and better event next year.”
The magical Old Deanery Gardens
Liz added: “The magical Old Deanery Gardens with its mixture of areas of light and shade provided a perfect setting at peace with nature, for an event heralding in the longest day of the year and the life-giving power of the sun.
“We estimate that more than 800 people came throughout the day to take part the free yoga and meditation sessions held in the grounds of the hotel, while others came to hear talks on health and physical wellbeing that can be achieved thorough simple adjustments to lifestyle and diet.”
She pointed out: “We are indebted to the yoga teachers, practitioners and speakers who gave their time and expertise free of charge and we hope that they will be joining us again in 2027.”🧘♂️✨
Ingredients for healthy eating and eco-friendly living
The event was supported by eco-friendly businesses including The GreenHouse, whose founder Dr Rebecca Crallan, brought a selection from the wide range of products and gifts that she sells at her North Street shop.
Sarita McDermott, whose stylish Realitea tea room and Indian bistro is also on North Street, gave a fascinating talk about the theory of food as medicine, which is deeply rooted in Ayurveda, the ancient science of life.
This holistic philosophy, which dates back thousands of years, teaches that food and medicine are not separate entities, and that the kitchen should serve as a pharmacy.
The theory dictates that proper diet sustains health, while inappropriate consumption is the root cause of many diseases.
Community Spirit
Reflecting on the success of the day, Rebecca Layton pointed out: “Ripon’s independent and community-minded businesses, have once again shown how they can achieve great things in our wonderful and historic city through collective action and Chris and I were delighted to play our part by hosting this tremendous gathering of like-minded people.” 🌟
- A Yoga session in progress
- Liz Hill with Katie Kavanagh, the owner of Acorn Wellness Retreat near Brimham Rocks, who led the sacred mantras in the meditation marquee
3. Rebecca Layton, who owns and manages The Old Deanery Hotel and fine dining restaurant with her husband Chris.
4. Nicola Gray of the Exhale Yoga Studio, was one of the instructors who gave her time and expertise free of charge on Saturday.
5. The Old Deanery’s gardens provided a perfect location for outside yoga classes.
6. The GreenHouse, founded by Dr Rebecca Crallan, was among the independent businesses present at Saturday’s event.
7. Realitea owner Sarita McDermott, gave a fascinating talk about the medicinal qualities of fresh food.
