Let’s do yoga and kayak in the village

It’s June in Rockville Centre, and that means it’s time go outside for yoga and kayaking.

Yoga on the Green and Kayak on the Lake, the popular programs from the RVC Conservancy, are back this month. People can sign up for the programs on the Conservancy’s website at rvcconservancy.org.

Yoga is on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. on the Village Green on Maple Avenue. People must bring a yoga mat or towel, and a $5 donation is suggested. All levels of experience are welcome.

Mary Beth Croutier, who is on the board of the Conservancy, said she was inspired when she was in Italy and saw people doing yoga outside in the ruins. “We have a beautiful village green,” she thought. “We should do that [there.]”

She got in touch with Ellen White of RVC Yoga — which now teaches the classes — and they entered a partnership.

The next Kayak on the Lake is on Saturday, June 11 at Hempstead State Lake Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People should come to the Eagle Avenue second booth entrance. Sessions are 50 minutes, and fees are $40 to rent double kayak and $30 for a single. The fee is $5 if you bring your own kayak. Inflatable rafts are not permitted, and life vests are provided.

This is the fourth year for both programs. Croutier said these programs are meant to bring attention to village parks — part of the Conservancy’s mission is “to identify local public spaces which need attention” — and spur efforts to preserve and protect these areas, and increase local patrols. “They’re small projects but we get a nice turnout,” she said. Usually about 50 people come to kayak and 20 to 30 will come to do yoga.

Other Conservancy programs are the community garden on Jefferson Avenue and Water Street, and the Adopt a Bench program. For $2,500, residents can help fund the Conservancy by adopting a bench in a village park and adding a personalized, commemorative plaque.

Conservancy is also working on bringing a dog park in the village, and asks that interested residents visit their website.