Yoga

The iconic Kew Gardens offers a range of activities – many of them out of hours – including sunset and sunrise yoga in the stunning Temperate House

Kew Gardens – the world famous botanic garden in London – attracts millions of visitors every year, with many thronging to the iconic site during the summer months.

However, as a regular to this oasis of calm on the edge of the capital I have to say spring is by far my favourite time to visit the lush landscape.

Yes, in summer the blooms are at their most showy, the trees are all in full leaf. Autumn brings golden leaves, scrunching underfoot, and a raft of bronze colour on the plants and winter is arguably blissfully quiet during the day only to explode in a riot of colour when the incredible Kew at Christmas lights burst into being.

However, there’s something about spring in this stunning place. Crisp days with some sunshine and the first shoots appearing on the trees, letting us all know the cold, dark months of winter are finally over. And that’s before we even get started on the explosion of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowering bulbs bursting into life in immense carpets all over the stunning Kew Gardens.

However, the highlight for me has to be the cherry blossoms. Gracefully coming back to life in pinks and whites, bringing with them a new season, only to shower the lucky visitor with their petals in the breeze.

Nestled close to Kew Gardens’ Temperate House, a gigantic glass house which underwent a huge renovation six years ago and containing more than 3,000 varieties of plants, many of them critically endangered, there is stunning cherry blossom walkway.

An avenue of glorious cherry trees in full bloom, watching over a carpet of proud tulips was the perfect stroll before trying Kew Gardens sunset yoga in the Temperate House. I already felt serene walking into the incredible building but nothing could have prepared me for how I would feel after the season was over and I left.

Inspired by the cherry blossoms just outside, and also the many others around Kew, this yoga experience was centred on lightness and renewal – just like the season itself.

Led by Kew’s resident yoga instructor, Anil Jangi, this sessions are said to “cultivate mindfulness, enhance flexibility and invite a sense of deep calm for both body and mind”.

Held inside one of the most iconic buildings at Kew Gardens – and let’s be honest there’s no shortage to pick from – the sessions are suitable for every level. And believe me when I say if there was a level below beginner, that’s where I’d be, but Anil made sure every ability was catered for as she guided us through the practice.

Accompanied by live sound bath music, enhanced by gongs, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, we began lying on the floor of the Temperate House. Before closing my eyes to start breath work I was struck by a sense of awe in what was described as a “cathedral of plants”.

The soft green of the fronds – some giant, many at risk of extinction – floating above us, the gentle singing of birds and a sense of being somewhere truly special couldn’t help but wash over everyone taking part in this yoga session.

This was a gentle practice, full of stretching, strength poses, balance, restoration and relaxation. I could feel any stress melting into the floor of the Temperate House.

As the sun gradually set, the warm spring light was replaced with gentle candlelight, deepening the sense of calm and closeness to the incredible plants we were surrounded by.

It ended with a blissful sound bath before a warming mug of herbal tea.

As I walked out of the Temperate House almost two hours later, I was filled with such a sense of peace and calm – something we’re all finding increasingly hard to come by in these troubled times.

Kew Gardens is holding both sunset and sunset yoga, all accompanied by live acoustic music, on a variety of dates between now and September.

For more information, visit the website.

Keeping and maintaining friends as an adult is hard, especially with the demands of life, travel and work. In volunteering, I encounter more people like myself, which is nice, but sometimes it’s difficult to participate without a lot of commitment to the organizations. I’m wanting to explore smaller, intimate groups to build community with people who I share similar values with. I’m interested in self-growth, psychology, games, mindfulness and yoga. I loved the L.A. Times story “Awaken your inner child at this welcoming collage club for adults” and I would love to know about similar activities. Thanks! —Marlen I.

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Marlen, I couldn’t agree more. As we get older, it can feel more and more difficult to sustain friendships, especially in Los Angeles, where people live so far apart and have busy lives. This struggle is exactly why so many social clubs have been sprouting up in L.A. over the last few years. From board game clubs to junk journaling meetups, there’s so many different ways to connect and maybe try something new. I’ve compiled a list of social clubs and community spaces that I think you’ll enjoy.

Since you’re already familiar with Art+Mind Studios, you should definitely check out Junk Journal Club. Junk journaling is essentially a craft practice that combines elements of collaging, journaling and scrapbooking. With the rise of junk journaling content on social media, the once solo pastime has turned into a lively social scene. Junk Journal Club, dubbed “the original junk journal club,” hosts monthly meetups, which can be found on its Instagram page. When my colleague Malia Mendez went to an event recently, people told her that attending Junk Journal Club “has made befriending strangers easy,” and many of them stay in touch.

Another craft-centered event that’s worth exploring is the Crafters Clubhouse, which founder Victoria Ansah calls “a creative third space for adult makers.” She hosts monthly arts and crafts workshops including activities like scrapbooking, punch needle embroidery and clay art.

Given that you’re interested in yoga and mindfulness, you may like WalkGood LA, a community-centered wellness organization that hosts a variety of activities including a run club and accessible yoga classes. During the pandemic, I found solace in attending their weekly yoga classes called BreatheGood. The outdoor sessions take place every first Sunday at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area and feature free chiropractic adjustments and healthy food vendors. The vibe of the intergenerational event feels warm and welcoming. All you have to do is show up with your yoga mat. The organization also hosts various classes including yoga, breath work, mindful meditation, mat Pilates and step aerobics at their studio, the WalkGood Yard, in Arlington Heights.

Another social club I recommend is Love, Peace & Spades, which my friend Kevin Clark started in 2022, to create a space where people could play the card game with others. With music provided by a live DJ, the monthly game night feels like being at a family cookout. Spades can be extremely intimidating to start as a beginner playing with pros. But don’t worry. Love, Peace & Spades has instructors who can teach you how to play.

If you’re interested in chess, L.A. Chess Club is “an event with the laid-back ease of a chill game night and all the social and romantic possibility of a night out on the town,” according to Times contributor Martine Thompson, who wrote a story about the event. At the weekly gathering, which features a food vendor, cocktails, tattoo artists and DJs, you can “competitively play chess, learn the game, meet new friends or mingle as a single person,” Thompson shares. Another fun event is RummiKlub, a monthly Rummikub game night that takes place in elevated, design-forward spaces across the city.

L.A. also has several fun creative venues that regularly bring people together, such as Junior High, a nonprofit art gallery and inclusive gathering space that hosts artist showcases, comedy nights, pottery workshops and more. There’s also Nina in Atwater, which holds a variety of gatherings including a monthly series that focuses on mindfulness called “Be Here Now: Simple Tools for an Everyday Nervous System Reset.”

I hope that these suggestions are a good starting point for finding the group, or several groups, that are an ideal fit for you. Just by putting yourself out there and being open, you are bound to build and find community. Best of luck on your journey!