WEST HARTFORD In the four years that West Hartford Yoga has been holding its annual "Om Street" outdoor event on LaSalle Road, the number of yoga enthusiasts participating has grown exponentially.

"Last year we had almost 650 people, and we are in line for 1,000 this year. It's a big event ... we have 22 studios participating at this point, from all the way down in Groton to out in Harwinton," said Jen Leavitt, studio manager of West Hartford Yoga, the event's host and sponsor.

"It's an emotional blast of really good, feel-good energy, and also just to see how far yoga has come in this state and other places. Who would have thought, 25, 30 years ago, that there would be this kind of response to a yoga event?"

Led by yoga teacher Barbara Ruzansky, the free event is scheduled for Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. Free parking will be available in town-owned area lots until 11 a.m., and participants are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes early to secure a spot on LaSalle Road. Event sponsor Lululemon will provide a limited number of yoga mats, but participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and water.

The weather, "couldn't be more perfect in terms of the forecast," Leavitt said. The town public works department will sweep LaSalle Road in preparation for the event, and police will shut down the street between Farmington Avenue and Arapahoe Road at 6 a.m., and reopen it to traffic at 10 a.m.

Everyone is invited to participate, including those who may have never tried yoga.

"The old story is, 'I'm too inflexible to do yoga,' or, 'I've never done it before.' If that describes you, do not be intimidated by this experience because we have everything from little kids laying on their mats we had a dog on a mat a couple years ago really, this is the time," Leavitt said. "It doesn't matter what you can do or not do, a lot of it is just about being in the experience."

The event is an all-levels, "classic vinyasa or hatha yoga experience, combining movement and breath in a safe and supported fashion, with lots of modifications offered," Leavitt said. The event is unique because of its outdoor, large-scale atmosphere, she said.

"It's a collective energy unlike anything i've ever experienced," Leavitt said.

For more information, to to WestHartfordYoga.com.

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1,000 Expected For West Hartford Yoga Event Saturday