Yoga 'Rising' from lake

HURON — For Mallory Saunders, Lake Front Park evokes many positive emotions. "It's beautiful out here," Saunders said about the Huron public waterfront space. "The lake has a feel and mood of her own: Sometimes she is real calm. Sometimes she is real intense. The more time you spend down here, the more you feel that spirit." No matter as a child or an adult, Saunders always visited the Huron public park. Today she travels from her Berlin Heights home to get there where she can recall "all the great memories" experienced there, such as playing, swimming, relaxing and learning more about herself. "It's a great local beach, and it really helps you appreciate how special of an area we live in," Saunders said. And, with her beloved site — where she's most at peace — Saunders looks forward to sharing another comforting, lifelong passion there with others in an expanded format. Humble beginnings to help others Saunders, the founder and operator of her business, called Rising Earth Yoga, first began offering donation-based yoga sessions at Lake Front Park in 2020 amid the pandemic. "Because of COVID, all the studios were shutting down or slowing down their programs, and I wanted to continue to teach yoga because I knew the community needed it," said Saunders, who added how she comes from a background of struggling with mental health, specifically anxiety, depression and complex PTSD. "I know how important mental health and yoga are. That's the biggest thing to help me in my healing journey," said Saunders, who's practiced yoga for many years. "And I still want to be out here, in the fresh air and sunshine, wanting to share this opportunity with others." Year by year, the crowds grew, reaffirming Saunders' decision to offer yoga there. "People kept showing up," Saunders said. "For many, it was good to do yoga. Others just wanted a reason to come together. And, I believe, it was a way to give people hope and keep their spirits up during whatever difficult times they might be going through — and that's all I want to do is to help people." The biggest year yet Dating back to 2020, and in every year since, Saunders has continued to offer weekly yoga sessions throughout the summer months at Lake Front Park. But she circled 2025, hoping it would become the biggest and best year for Rising Earth Yoga's 2025 Beach Summer Program. In addition to teaching herself, she's enlisted the help of two friends and fellow yoga enthusiasts — Emily Kuzmick of Sandusky and Danielle McGraw of Huron — to lead what Saunders describes as "super-inviting, approachable and community-oriented classes." Any skill level is welcome to these sessions. In total, this summer, Rising Earth intends to offer four weekly yoga classes in and near Lake Front Park. The first session kicks off on Sunday. Both Kuzmick and McGraw jumped at the opportunity to work alongside Saunders when she asked if they'd come and lead classes this summer. "We are blessed to live in such a beautiful area to practice outdoor yoga, and I love practicing with the community," McGraw said. Added Kuzmick: "I feel drawn to bring the community together through yoga. This is the perfect opportunity to combine my passions of yoga, outdoors, wellness and community." Saunders truly believes she's assembled the dream team. "I'm so excited," Saunders said. "We all have our own styles, and this is what will make this great. By coming out there, we are learning how to connect to ourselves, each other and the beauty of our environment." Staying connected Saunders gave a preview of what attendees can expect. "Everything we do — movement, breathwork, meditation, taking time for stillness and reflection — we aim to recognize our interconnectedness." Saunders welcomes anyone and everyone to attend a yoga session led by her, Kuzmick and/or McGraw. "Just come down and try it," said Saunders, who's studying to become a yoga therapist in hopes of helping even more people dealing with various challenges in life and making yoga more accessible for all. "You'll feel better, and you will leave inspired." Want to go? What: Rising Earth Yoga is hosting free yoga sessions throughout the summer in public spaces throughout Huron When/Where: From June 1 through Aug. 31, yoga sessions take place at the following times and days: • 9 a.m. on Sundays with Mallory Saunders at Lake Front Park's beach, 310 Park St.., Huron • 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with Emily Kuzmick Lake Front Park's beach • 8 a.m. on Fridays with Danielle McGraw at Lake Front Park's beach • 8 a.m. on Saturdays with McGraw at the Huron Harbor Pier's blockhouse, North Main Street, Huron Who: All three are certified yoga teachers with many years of experience. Meanwhile anyone of any yoga skill level is encouraged to attend. Cost: It's free to attend, however, donations are welcome. More: It's encouraged that people bring a mat, blanket and water. People can visit Rising Earth Yoga's Facebook page, facebook.com/risingearthyoga, for more information.