Park Yoga: Stretching Out in Telford
Every Sunday morning at 9:30 am, a group of people carrying mats and towels descend on Bowring Park in Wellington, transforming the green space into an open-air studio. Much like Park Run revolutionised the weekly jog into an organised, supported community event, Park Yoga sets out with the same goals, aiming to get people moving from an increasingly sedentary lifestyle.
Outdoor yoga in Great Britain is always going to have its challenges, but if you were going to launch one, then 2025 has probably been the best year. People are going. Lots of people are going, and much like Park Run, it’s beginners and advanced, young and old, slight and slightly bigger. Park Yoga is for everyone.
I turned up with my towel, not quite ready to invest in a £10 yoga mat until I was convinced I could do it. The yoga season lasts from 4th May until 14th September, and I’ve been sitting on this story for a few weeks now. The organisers were reluctant to make too much of a song and dance about it because it’s been busy enough without it – this isn’t an advert or a call for people to attend. They were genuinely worried about being swamped.
I finally caught up with Stephanie, the organiser, after weeks of email tennis – which, incidentally, is the only exercise I get lately. My first impression was that it’s relaxed and laid-back. If you want to bend your arms inside out in an eagle pose, you’re welcome, but it’s week one, Stephanie, and I have to walk home after this. There is no pressure to attempt anything you are uncomfortable doing, although, by lying on a bath towel in front of 50 strangers in Bowring Park, I felt I was halfway there.
The session is well planned, building up to the most challenging poses, then a cool-down at the end. It’s enjoyable. I felt like I had done something unusual for me, and I’m sure that by tomorrow morning, I’ll definitely feel like I had done something.
After the session, I caught up with some of the old hands at Park Yoga. Martin and Liz Jones from Shifnal come to the Wellington Park Yoga sessions every week, having never done this before. “It’s soul food for your body on a Sunday,” Liz told me. Martin added, “It’s a great way to get outside and spend an hour on Sunday morning.”
Sarah and Mollie Shaw have also been attending weekly. Mollie, 11, also does gymnastics, so being 11 and a gymnast, I wasn’t going to try and keep up. Sarah used to do Pilates and uses these sessions to get back into the swing of things. “Just being here, the fresh air, and the sunshine – it’s very enjoyable.”
When I introduced myself to Stephanie at the beginning, she asked if I had done yoga before. I hadn’t. “Just go with the flow, do what you feel able and just enjoy it.” So I did, and I did.
