WHY in the Parks 2024

West Hartford Yoga, in cooperation with West Hartford Leisure Services, is bringing back FREE yoga to the parks! Join our skilled WHY instructors for some outdoor bliss while you improve your health, increase your energy, and relax among fellow yogis. Each all-levels class will blend yoga postures, breath work, and meditation with a beautiful setting.

June 30 - August 18
Sundays / Beachland Park / 9:00-10:00am
Tracie Gildea + Chris Printis

June 26 - August 14
Wednesdays / Eisenhower Park / 5:30-6:30pm
Tia Blake + Chris Printis

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All ages and abilities welcome. Bring a yoga mat, towel, and water. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Classes are free, but donations are welcome.

WHY in the Parks is cancelled in event of rain or wet grounds. Please pre-register for email cancellation alerts or visit our schedule page. For additional questions, email us.

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Tia Blake
In search for a deeper mind-body connection, Tia began her personal yoga practice at the end of 2022. In 2023 she joined West Hartford Yoga’s Work-Study Team, where she loves being part of an encouraging and supportive community. Eager to learn and expand her practice, Tia enrolled in West Hartford Yoga’s Teacher Training in 2024.

Tia has always been drawn towards a holistic way of living and spirituality. She is a Level 3 Reiki Master Practitioner and Psychic Medium. When she’s not on her mat, she enjoys studying herbalism, meditating out in nature, and cooking.


Tracie Gildea
Tracie is a certified YTT 200 Kripalu Yoga Teacher (2001) and completed West Hartford Yoga’s 200-hour teacher training in 2023. Committed to continuing her study of yoga, she is a current member of the 2024 teacher training class. She has been practicing yoga for nearly 25 years and has attended classes at WHY since the studio opened in 2002.  

Tracie loves how the practice of yoga extends beyond the mat, and has experienced its transformation, healing, and growth woven through her adult life.  She is most appreciative for yoga’s connected and supportive community; its diverse backgrounds and perspectives; and common underpinning of authenticity, curiosity, inclusivity, and kindness.

When not on the mat, Tracie is a business leader and founder, frequent global traveler, amateur design/renovator, Mom to two wonderful boys, and calls both Connecticut and the Aloha State home. She’s extremely grateful to share her practice with others.

 
 

Chris Printis
Newer to yoga and looking for tools to help settle the mind, Chris attended his first class at WHY in January of 2023. He was instantly hooked and began attending classes with great frequency, soon joining WHY’s work study program and the 2024 200-hour yoga teacher training. 

Chris views asana as a way to grow strength in the body, train discipline in the mind, and cultivate humility. Chris enjoys a challenging, yet lighthearted yoga practice. When not on the mat, you can find Chris at Dunkin’ Park announcing the next batter, or on the streets of West Hartford as a field reporter for WHCI.