Meditation in the Park 2011...

Sunday, 26^th June 2011, the 3^rd Annual Meditation in the Park took place on Russia Dock Woodland Green, "London's best kept secret"...

Quick links:

• View the 2011 Photo Gallery »
• Join the email list to get the free meditation and relaxation audio,
  and yoga and meditation activity Guidance Notes »

Community Spirit...

• Just over 2000 people attended including many locals as well as people as far away as Derby and Slough to an event with no music (other than birdsong) and nothing to buy
• Ages ranged from babies in arms to the Southwark (Silver) Circle
• Beautiful clear sunny day, 29 degrees,
• 400 L water donated by Tesco Surrey Quays
• Judges for best picnics from Borough & Maltby St. Market stallholders and the Operations Manager at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre

Supporters

Meditation in the Park 2011 was made possible by many volunteers and supporters who come together because they believe in the values which inspire the event - Green Spaces, Good Food and a Clear Mind.

Funding and other assistance was provided by the UK Lottery's Awards for All, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Trust for Urban Ecology (BTCV), Southwark Council and others.

The prizes for best picnics come from the generousity of Tesco Surrey Quays, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Borough Market and many individual stallholders, Maltby St. Market, Alara's Mix-Your-Own Muesli, Lily's Kitchen, Neal's Yard Remedies, The Olive Oil Co. and more...

Press

• The Times - Great Days Out This Weekend
• TimeOut
• LondonTown Weekend
• Qype London
• LeCool
• More press information here »

Activities Highlights...

Yoga and Meditation

• Men's & Women's Masterclasses
• Sun Salutations
• Yoga for Cyclists
• Walking Meditation
• Silver Age Yoga
• Breathe & De-stress Workshop
• Fruit Meditation
• Guided Relaxation
• Poi
• Yoga for Sleep
• Children's Yoga
• Sat Kriya Meditation
• Power and Poise - Quick and Potent Yoga for Everyday
• Yoga for Digestion

Click here to see detailed descriptions »

Hari Karam Singh refuses to let them give up in the last few
minutes of the Fruit Meditation... (more photos)

Food, Craft and Nature

• Cheese Making Demonstration
• Ecology Park Nature Tours
• Fruit Smoothie Making
• Muesli Tasting
• Flower Garland Making

Dominic of the Borough Cheese Company begins the
Cheese Making Demonstration

Ideal for Children

• Children's Yoga
• Smoothie and Muesli Making
• Flower Garland Making
• Meditation in Motion
• Continuous Meditation

Click here to see detailed descriptions »

Group Meditation Finale

At 3:30pm the Continuous Meditation and other activities ended and everyone came together for the finale Group Meditation led with Guru Kaur...

Guru Kaur leads the Group Meditation Finale right before
the handing out of prizes for best picnics.

After the Event: Yoga Class with Guru Kaur

End the day with a bang with a full Kundalini Yoga class with Guru Kaur on the green. All are welcome. Just hang around after the prize giving and await further instructions...

Prize Categories

Many of those who brought their most delicious picnics went home with fantastic prizes including premium blenders and appliances, bottles of local English fruit juice, gourmet olive oils, gift certificates to local markets, a free meal at local restaurants and much much more...

Co-organiser Steve Cornish, awards the top prizes for
the best picnic.

The prize categories were...

• Most Delicious Healthy Picnic
• Best Homemade Picnic
• Best Picnic Made By Children
• Best Picnic Presentation
• Best of British Picnic
• Best International Picnic
• Best Collaborative Picnic

Quotes from 2011 Participants

"Meditation in the Park is a place for families and friends to come together and learn something new. It's a lovely day to chill and just be."
- Michelle Momsen, N1

"Brilliant day, lovely people. Couldn't believe everything was free! Will definitely come again next year. "
- Anonymous, SE16

"This is the third event my husband and I have attended, and we anticipate its arrival every year. It is run by wonderfully conscious people who seem to spread their light over everyone...We would not miss it for the world."
- Julia and Ret, SE16

"Meditation in the Park is the remedy to modern life in London. Step back from the rush, breathe, learn new things and meet (and make!) your community. "
- Lindsay, N4

"A simple way of solving some big life problems."
- Anonymous, N1 0JF

"Beautiful time-out from the hectic London we're so used to."
- Lisa, E14

"The event was well organized. There was something for everybody: kids, elderly, men, women.. We had a lot of fun, met lovely people and enjoyed the activities altogether!"
- Anonymous, SE16

"A very valuable learning experience. I am definitely going back when the next session comes up. "
- Arniel Habac, NW11 9LD

"A truly inspiring, enchanting, enjoyable day in a great location with lots to learn and reflect on. Simply wonderful! Keep it going!!"
- Muriel, UB7

"It was a beautiful day, so nice to see people relaxing and enjoying themselves, learning valuable techniques."
- Anonymous, SE16 2HS

"I would very much recommend meditation in the park- a lovely atmosphere and a great chance to try yoga or meditation for the first time, try a different version or just join in with a bunch of like-minded people."
- Karen Cain, TN14

"delightful and inspiring. great to have a break from consumerism etc."
- Rose, SE16

"Meet your friends and neighbours in lovely relaxed settings and see how much more friendly we really are! If we don't use our parks and participate we may not always have them."
- Alma Boulton, SE16

"I enjoyed the atmosphere... Meditation is a subject I wanted to learn more about and the extra events (eg cheesemaking) were well thought out and made for a relaxed and special afternoon. Well done everyone! "
- Louise Clement, SE17

"A well organised yet chilled, laid back event in a beautiful environment involving the whole community. Well worth a visit."
- michelle oconnor, SE16

"Enjoyable, relaxing, FREE, socialable, interesting, fantastic. Thank You to all the volunteers."
- Joan O'Connell, SE116EZ

"It was a good atmosphere. I overheard nothing scary or negative from the crowd and didn't feel any imposition to my heart or mind. It was relaxed and felt friendly and genuine - a lovely event in beautiful surroundings."
- Nancy Sarre, SE14 5TW

"A day of sunshine and peace in the middle of a busy life."
- Eddie Doherty, WV3 8LY

"To experience complete calm in a city like London is close to a miracle, and I could hear the blood in my veins and the heartbeat of my friends, the leaves and the peace were whispering to me all day."
- Ursula Dekker, SE23

"It was a really great experience which taught me how peaceful and positive it is to meditate with other souls."
- Aimee Alfieri, BN1 3RB

"Excellent group effort of the event, well coordinated, brought families together to spend quality time together engaging in the activities and learning about being with nature and at peace with all in a community."
- Dr. Rohinin Kapur, SE16 6QN

"Loved it - great classes, nice people, friendly relaxed atmosphere and food for thought! Many thanks for a wonderful day!"
- Leonie, E1W

"Meditation in the Park has a very special atmosphere - and you cant quite believe that something this good could be free and so enjoyable. It's a great way to get in touch with your spiritual side (everyone has one!)."
- Ian Morton, W1U 6BT

"The world of meditation seemed shrouded in mystery, complicated, and impossible to learn before the event. I'm so glad I went. I learnt the importance of breathing, could actually feel my stresses washing away and I learnt so much in a friendly, supportive and...not *too* alternative environment. A perfect beginners guide to relaxation and meditation. " - Catherine Hall, N1

"Excellent chance to get the family together, do something out of the ordinary and have the kids enthused about being out in the sun, doing yoga and learning. Brilliant as per last year. "
- Nicola Hobbs, SE8

"Bringing the community together. Getting to know your neighbours."
- Linda Manley, SE16 7DH