Yoga in the Beach 91st Community Garden – Sunday, Oct 5.

Breadth, strength, presence. Notice the monarchs drifting by, the sea breeze carrying a hint of lavender, and the sound of the leaves rustling. Finally, have your uncovered feet on the earth. Yoga in the Beach 91st Community Garden is happening this weekend, Sunday, Oct 5 at 11:30 a.m. Bring a mat, bring a friend, leave the stress at the gate.

I met our instructor, Diana Treglia, when I was asked to present at the Belle Harbor Garden Club—such a treat. I met so many wonderful experienced gardener ladies who love to dig, plant, and build community. That’s the whole point, right?

Diana Treglia, B.S., M.A., C-IAYT, has been a full-time yoga and meditation teacher since 1975. A Certified Yoga Therapist with a master’s degree in Integrative Health and Healing, Diana has long been at the forefront of sharing yoga practice. Her work is rooted in the belief that the greatest gift we can give ourselves is greater self-awareness. She currently teaches Chair Yoga on Zoom through the Council Senior Center, offers private yoga therapy, and leads weekly mat classes on Zoom. Her contact is Mandara1@aol.com.

Diana moved here in 2001 and loves the community feel on the peninsula. Every day she walks through Riis Park and into Fort Tilden, feeling “so thankful to live in such a beautiful place—the air, the ocean, the open space.” When I asked her about yoga and gardening, she said, “Gardening is like a form of meditation. It brings you into the moment. Yoga does the same—it brings you into the present and heightens your awareness. Nature does that too.”

Through producing garden events, my neighbors have become collaborators, and I’ve connected with Myriam Gold, too — a new member this year and the artist behind the yoga event poster. She is a creative who describes Rockaway as a “crafted paradise” — ocean at the doorstep, library a block away, sunflowers on every corner. She started a garden 10 years ago when her first daughter was born, so she could taste real berries and tomatoes. Now she grows from seed and uses gardening as therapy, play, and teaching for her children.

Myriam attended L’École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Casablanca and studied design/fine arts/organic architecture. She handled international rebrands, produced with Jazzablanca, and worked for the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. In NYC, Myriam dove into underground art and worked with Gaetano Pesce. Today she’s experimenting with painting, volunteering, and running creative at NYC Garage Door Service, her family business. See more of her work on Instagram: @mushroma

This event is the garden at its best—a community potting mix: Diana bringing breath, Myriam bringing art, and all of us creating the connection.