Lakewood Ranch Library's rooftop yoga connects people with nature

By Liz Ramos
| 8:30 a.m. June 21, 2024

Courtenay Smith, an owner of Shack Yoga and a Rooftop Yoga instructor, says she loves the setting of Rooftop Yoga because it allows people to connect with nature as there are nature preserves around the Lakewood Ranch Library.

East County
Neighbors

Lakewood Ranch's Denise Equinda took a deep breath and brought her hands together above her head.

She followed along as Courtenay Smith, an owner of Shack Yoga, guided Equinda and 17 other people through a yoga class during Rooftop Yoga June 20 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.

"It was wonderful," Equinda said. "My blood pressure just dropped to like zero."

Participants and Smith said they loved Rooftop Yoga because it connected them with nature as they worked out on the roof of the $17.6 million library, which opened in January and now offers many programs to the community.

With a slight constant breeze, Equinda said she was happy to spend the morning outside.

Smith, a Lakewood Ranch resident, said Rooftop Yoga was an opportunity for her to connect with other people in the community and an opportunity for her to give back to the community with the free class.

Sweetwater's Suzi Regulski and other yoga participants take deep breaths as their Rooftop Yoga class begins.

Courtenay Smith, the instructor at Rooftop Yoga, has everyone go into tabletop pose.

Courtenay Smith loves leading Rooftop Yoga at the Lakewood Ranch Library because she can connect with other Lakewood Ranch residents. As an owner of Shack Yoga, she says it also gives her an opportunity to give back to the community through the free class.

Rooftop Yoga participants take in the peace and quiet and focus on their breathing.

Sarasota's Amy Stine attends Rooftop Yoga to support Courtenay Smith, an owner of Shack Yoga, who led the class. "Courtenay is an amazing teacher. The experience and energy she brings is incredible," Stine says.

Rooftop Yoga at the Lakewood Ranch Library is for all ages and skill levels.

Jan Morris enjoys Rooftop Yoga at the Lakewood Ranch Library. She was among 18 people participating in the class.

Courtenay Smith, an owner of Shack Yoga, guides 18 people through a yoga class on the rooftop of the Lakewood Ranch Library. "This is going to be chill for all levels," Smtih says.

Sweetwater's Suzi Regulski goes into warrior pose.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.