A few weeks ago, I received an email blast from Flavor Pill
Help us break a world record! Register now to join 10,000 people on Central Park’s Great Lawn, all downward-dogging at once. Yogi Elena Brower leads the class; comedian/beatboxer/musician Reggie Watts performs, along with sonic healer 13 Hands, slam poet Buddy Wakefield, drum/dance troupe O’Nkosi Rhythms, cellist Garth Stevenson, and yogic bassist Wah!. Each mat is yours to take home (thanks, JetBlue), along with a bevy of goodies from SmartWater, Alternative Apparel, and Chico Bag
This is a perfect example of the fun NYC events I love participating in and therefore I quickly registered hoping I’d be one of the 10,000 lucky participants given a pass.
Fastforward a few weeks and as luck would have it, I was offered VIP tickets and a few for fellow bloggers and readers. While I don’t consider myself a VIP of any sort I’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth and gladly accepted.
After posting some tweets about the opportunity, I ended up heading to the Great Lawn today with Theodora, Lauren, Jess, and Rebecca. 
After meeting at 84th and Park, we headed towards the VIP tent per our instructions. We had all read on Twitter or the news that the lines were crazy. We thought it may be an exaggeration. How could the lines be so bad when they were PLANNING the event for 10,000 people? Well, it was no exaggeration. Everything Katherine, Dori, Missy, and Jes had tweeted was true. As we turned the corner we saw it!
Yes, that is the FRONT of the line! Luckily we were quickly escorted to a table where we received the “orange ticket” which would allow us 
front row yoga placement, stage access, massages, swag, and more.
The first table had great Yoga at The Great Lawn t-shirts compliments of Alternative Earth t-shirts. The t-shirt is super comfortable and soft even though they are XL.
The next table featured a green swag bag. The bag is a reusable grocery bag made by Chico Bag which even has a nifty pocket that it FOLDS into when you’re not using it!
As soon as we walked past the tables there were tons of cameras on this lovely yogi so I figured I’d snap a picture of her as well. Later, I found out that she was the woman leading the yoga.
There were three different tents set up for press and VIP bracelet holders. Under the tents were barrels of Vitamin Water
Awesome Gaiam Balance Ball Desk chairs to test out. I really want one of these for my desk at work. I wonder if they’ll allow it if I buy it. They are only $79.95 on Amazon! In addition, One Lucky Duck was sampling their delicious desserts, Siggi’s had five flavors of yogurt they were sampling and giving out, I snagged my first Kind Bar, and received a few yoga coupons. I can’t wait to sample these items in my lunch tomorrow. I’ve seen Siggi’s yogurts on Tina’s blog numerous times but have yet to try them. 
After a hanging around and sampling products we decided it was time to find a prime spot on the lawn. We couldn’t believe the crowds of people that had already gathered on Central Park’s Great Lawn! This event was going to be a success and we were so excited. 
We were able to snag a spot in the front, left area. We had a clear view of both the screen and the stage! 
We were in awe! All we could do for the first few moments once we reached the lawn was turn around and take in the scene of people.
How cool is the Manhattan skyline in the background?! I felt like I was getting ready for a huge Central Park concert! 
We set out our FREE Gaiam yoga mats (Thanks JET BLUE!) and began to wait. 
Luckily, while we waited we were able to have some fun together!
We sampled the treats!
We took pictures.
Then the clouds started to roll into the area.
And people talked, and talked, and talked.
In fact, by this point it was 7:25 and we were all starting to get a little bit annoyed. The wind was whipping, the crowd had reached a great mass, and yet guys kept talking on stage and laughing. Even though we were towards the very front we couldn’t understand half the commentary.
Clearly, this was quite the event since there were cameras everywhere!
Then the guy in the wild suit announced that we had in fact set the world record. Evidently, he works for the company and was there to make it official!
Everyone clapped and the world was happy because they saw yoga in their future. A yogi finally took the stage!
Then the rain started and the umbrellas came out. What happened to “yoga rain or shine?”
A crazy guy rushed in front of us as we were trying to get our omm on as we prayed the rain would subside.
This happy face and thumbs up means we’ve just been told that the yoga will continue and the park service has given word we can continue yoga in the rain! Let the omms begin!
And we did yoga. For two minutes that is until the lightening and thunder forced them to call it quits.
Am I mad? No, I’m sad that the event didn’t have a warm, sunny evening as I was looking forward to some hot yoga on the Great Lawn. But, I had a great opportunity and a fun evening with wonderful girls. I was part of something that will most likely not happen again in NYC and luckily Lauren grabbed us a cab for the 60 block trip home. That, along with all this swag makes for a great night experiencing NYC.
The kit was in a huge sling bag and included yoga blocks, an 8lb medicine ball, resistance band, 3lb hand weights, and a yoga mat. It also included some great workout cards including pilates moves and resistance training. I was able to enjoy this in room amenity two mornings while Bo was still peacefully snoozing. Have you ever seen a kit like this at a hotel? Did you take advantage of it? Was it free?
