Thanks to Las Milpitas de Cottonwood Community Farm, you can downward dog with the fruits and veggies. π½ππΆοΈ
The six-acre farm near the Santa Cruz River is a program of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to provide locals with garden plots and fresh produce.
"Access to healthy food and produce has been a framework for what health is, but we were thinking more about what holistic health looks like," says Elena Ortiz, the farm community engagement and advocacy coordinator. "It's physical health, but also mental and emotional health."
And there's nothing more holistic than yoga on a farm.
As part of its fall programming, the farm will offer three yoga classes on the patio in the center of its community garden. Oh, and did we mention classes are free?
Certified yoga instructor Jessica Luse will teach the class β a blend of Vinyasa and Hatha styles. And if those words mean nothing to you, even better. The class is for all levels.
"I personally really like yoga and find the classes aren't always accessible for people we work with," Ortiz says. "So we're offering it for free and have mats available. We want to encourage people who haven't done yoga before or don't see themselves as yoga people to try without an investment of much more than time."
Just like fresh produce isn't always easily accessible to lower income families, yoga classes most likely don't make the priority list, Ortiz says. That's why the farm is offering these classes for the first time.
And besides, not only is yoga associated with health benefits, but spending time outside just feels good.
"We are giving people who haven't had the chance to connect with our environment a chance to connect with our work," Ortiz says.
Classes at the farm, 2405 S. Cottonwood Lane, are 6-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19; 7-8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 and 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21.
Although some yoga mats are available, if you have one bring it.
The class is free, but register by visiting communityfoodbank.org/gardenworkshops.
You can find more information at the Las Milpitas de Cottonwood Community Farm Facebook page.
