WEST HARTFORD Instead of the usual Saturday morning bustle on LaSalle Street in West Hartford Center, there was peace.

People with their purple, orange and blue yoga mats lined the street instead of parked cars. Instead of horns and squeaky brakes, there were soft drum beats and wind chimes.

About 1,000 people of all age attended to West Hartford Yoga's Om Street event to practice the motions and movements or just to watch.

"This is the fourth year. This is so peaceful and free," said Jennifer Leavitt, manager of West Hartford Yoga.

"The weather was on our side this year," she added, taking off her sweatshirt as the sun began to warm the street. "It's such a peaceful morning."

Leavitt said that she started practicing yoga about five years ago and that her life hasn't been the same since.

"I had no idea this was going to change my whole life," said Leavitt, who has a background in law. "It's amazing, and I'm not alone."

Barbara Ruzansky, owner of West Hartford Yoga, led the participants in various yoga movements.

"Let's just take a moment to really recognize how exciting this is," Ruzansky told participants. "To be on a street on a yoga mat, close together, practicing what we love and come together as a community."

Julia Summers and Mara Kunin, two West Hartford residents and roommates, heard about the event and decided to stop by and do yoga Saturday morning.

Go here to see the original:
Om Street Yoga Brings Peace To LaSalle Street