Nature, Movement & Mindfulness: Yoga in the Parks-IC@MOP
About this Event
NATURE, MOVEMENT & MINDFULNESS: YOGA IN THE PARKS
A Season of Gratitude
Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Intrenchment Creek @ Michelle Obama Park
WHAT TO EXPECT
What if gratitude isn't just about appreciating what we have, but also about discovering what we might be ready to let go?
This November, join us for an outdoor wellness experience that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and explore the connections between nature, movement, mindfulness, and the season of gratitude.
Danielle Marie Jones, Founder and Principal Owner of ROOTSRISE LLC, returns to continue the rhythm of movement and mindfulness she has been cultivating within the South DeKalb community. Through beginner-friendly yoga, intentional breathwork, and guided reflection, Danielle will encourage us to reconnect with ourselves, one another, and the natural world.
Our experience begins with Parks Naturalist Tasha, who will guide us through a gentle, nature-inspired warm-up as we make our way toward our yoga practice space. Along the way, we'll explore a few unexpected connections between the natural world and the practice of yoga—inviting curiosity, conversation, and perhaps a new perspective on what gratitude can mean.
What might we discover when we release our expectations and simply allow ourselves to experience the moment?
At Intrenchment Creek @ Michelle Obama Park, the surrounding landscape offers a setting for this exploration. From the changing autumn canopy to the sights and sounds of the forest, nature will become part of our experience as we transition into movement, breathwork, and mindfulness.
No expectations to meet. No experience required. Just an opportunity to explore what gratitude, movement, and mindfulness might mean to you.
The complete two-hour experience includes our nature-inspired warm-up, transitions to and from our practice space, guided yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and reflection.
GOOD TO KNOW
This is an outdoor wellness experience—not a studio-based yoga class. Nature will help set the stage, including the sounds, textures, temperatures, and occasional surprises that come with practicing in a living landscape.
Our nature-inspired warm-up and yoga practice are designed as one continuous experience, encouraging participants to arrive with curiosity and remain engaged from beginning to end.
No previous yoga experience or specialized knowledge of the natural world is required.
PROGRAM LEADERS
Tasha L. J. Messer
Parks Naturalist
DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs
[email protected]
404-927-4227
Danielle Marie Jones, M.S., YTT-300
Founder & Principal Owner
ROOTSRISE LLC
www.rootsrise.earth
WHERE TO MEET
Intrenchment Creek @ Michelle Obama Park
South DeKalb County, Georgia
Meeting Point: Trailhead near the parking lot, directly in front of the bike racks.
Participants will gather at the designated meeting point and set out their yoga mats before beginning our nature-inspired warm-up. From there, we'll ease into the experience together, allowing our surroundings to help us transition into the outdoor yoga and mindfulness practice.
Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to allow time for parking, check-in, and preparation. The program will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.
WHAT TO BRING
Please bring:
- Comfortable clothing suitable for movement and stretching
- A yoga mat
- A large towel or blanket to place beneath your mat for added cushioning and protection from the natural surface
- A prefilled reusable water bottle
- Layers appropriate for cool November morning temperatures
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent, if desired
- A hat and/or sunglasses, if desired
- Yoga blocks, bolsters, knee supports, or other personal comfort items you use during an outdoor wellness practice
RESTROOMS
Public restroom availability at this location has not yet been confirmed.
Participants are encouraged to plan accordingly before arriving.
RECOMMENDED AGES
This program is recommended for participants ages 12 and older. Youth younger than 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a participating adult.
DOGS
This program is not appropriate for dogs, so please leave your pup at home.
WEATHER CONTINGENCY
This program may proceed during light or passing weather when conditions remain safe. The experience may be modified, postponed, or canceled in the event of rain, thunderstorms, unusually cold temperatures, hazardous ground conditions, or other unsafe weather.
Registered participants will be notified through Eventbrite if conditions require a change.
November mornings can be cool, particularly in shaded areas. Please dress appropriately for the day's forecast and bring the personal supports you need to remain comfortable outdoors.
WALKING DISTANCE
The experience includes a short, guided nature-inspired walk from our designated meeting area to the selected yoga practice space.
Our route will pass a cairn (an arrangement of stones) and offer a distant view of Intrenchment Creek.
The creek will be viewed from a distance; participants will not be entering or approaching the water.
Exact walking distance will be confirmed once the final route and practice location are established.
EXPOSURE
This program takes place outdoors during November and may include cool morning temperatures, direct or filtered sunlight, fallen leaves, seasonal vegetation, biting insects, pollen, and exposure to other naturally occurring plants and wildlife.
Participants may also encounter damp vegetation, morning dew, muddy areas, or slippery surfaces following rainfall.
Every effort will be made to select a comfortable outdoor practice area appropriate for the day's conditions. However, sunlight, shade, ground moisture, and temperatures naturally vary throughout the park.
Please prepare for an authentic outdoor experience during the autumn season.
TRAIL SURFACE & ACCESSIBILITY
The program begins at our designated meeting location and includes a short nature-inspired walk before transitioning to the selected outdoor yoga practice space.
Depending on the final route and recent weather, participants may encounter:
- Paved or other developed trail surfaces, where available
- Natural soil and compacted earth
- Fallen leaves and seasonal vegetation
- Grass and other natural outdoor surfaces
- Uneven terrain
- Damp or slippery ground following rainfall
- Open-air conditions and seasonal temperature changes
The yoga practice will take place outdoors rather than on a completely level or manicured studio surface.
Participants should be comfortable:
- Walking a short distance from the meeting area
- Standing for portions of the nature-inspired warm-up
- Transitioning between standing, seated, and reclining positions
- Sitting or lying on a yoga mat placed over a natural outdoor surface
- Participating in gentle, beginner-friendly movement and mindfulness activities
Modifications may be offered throughout the session.
Accessibility note: The precise route, surface conditions, and suitability for mobility devices have not yet been confirmed. Please contact Parks Naturalist Tasha before registering if you have questions about whether this program will accommodate your mobility or access needs.
Contact: [email protected] | 404-927-4227
PROGRAM PHOTOS
We love documenting our programs and may share photographs on DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs' websites, publications, and social media platforms.
While participants are welcome to take their own photos, photographs taken by staff are generally intended for County documentation and promotional purposes and are not routinely distributed to participants.
WAIVER & RELEASE
By registering for this activity, each participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that he/she is participating in this program at his/her own risk and holds DeKalb County and all its officers, agents, servants, and/or employees harmless from and against any and all claims, loss, damage, charge, or expense to which they or any of them may be put or subjected by reason of participant's participation in this program.
You further acknowledge that DeKalb County is not responsible for the acts of others participating in this program and the other participants may include, but not be limited to, interested individuals, members of civic groups, religious groups, or community group, and/or persons convicted of crimes and/or violations of County ordinances and ordered to provide community service.
I give permission that all photographs, films, video recordings, and sound recordings of me and/or my child(ren) made by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs during this Naturalist program may be used non-commercially by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs for promotional and educational purposes.
I understand and acknowledge that neither my child(ren) nor I will receive any compensation whatsoever for appearing in any photograph, film, video recording, or sound recording made by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs.
Naturalist Tasha L. J. Messer
Park Naturalist
DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs
[email protected]
404-927-4227 (Work Cell)
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
