PLEASANTON -- A free daylong yoga festival featuring exercise sessions, musical performances and other entertainment is scheduled Saturday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

The Dharma and Yoga Fest will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the fairgrounds, at 4501 Pleasanton Ave., event organizers said.

The festival is being presented by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, a national social organization that promotes the Hindu faith and culture. It is to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk who came to U.S. to address the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893, said group member Mani Keeran.

The organization's East Bay chapter is based in San Ramon, Keeran said.

Bollywood singers and dancers with perform throughout the day. Speakers are expected to deliver lectures about Hinduism and yoga philosophies.

The event is open to all, Keeran said.

In addition to free admission, there is no charge for parking and free food will be available.

For details, visit http://www.dharmaandyogafest.org/eastbay.

Chris De Benedetti covers Pleasanton. Contact him at 510-353-7011. Follow him at Twitter.com/cdebenedetti.

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Yoga festival scheduled Saturday, Sept. 14 at county fairgrounds in Pleasanton

Mommies-to-be climb the stairs to Southtown Yoga Loft - a serene place that seems a world away from the busy city below. Mats are unrolled; candles lighted. And as melodic chants mingle with incense, their prenatal class begins.

A little bit edgy, a little bit Zen, the class is aimed at strengthening the women's bodies, minds and spirits as delivery dates approach. Loft owner Kristal Cuevas started the twice-monthly, hour-long sessions when she found out she was going to be a first-time mom. She wanted emotional support and thought others might feel the same way. Ever since, camaraderie has flourished.

"We've formed a sort of community of pregnant ladies at the loft," Cuevas says. "Our closeness is like family. After I delivered Maya, my classmates brought me food and gifts. We celebrated!"

Between classes and celebrations - blessed events are happening a lot these days - the "yoga girlfriends" do lunch, hold tea parties and indulge in comforting chocolate treats. According to instructor Donna Anfuso, their happy approach to motherhood makes serious workouts fun. They're into fashion, too. Stretchy tees, comfy spandex shorts and cute accessories, available at the loft's boutique, keep them feeling good about themselves as baby bumps grow.

Most of the women have careers, so the loft's proximity to downtown simplifies their demanding lives. They can stop by on a break or lunch hour to work out a bit, visit or just relax. The prenatal program's emphasis on minimal weight gain also has appeal to these professionals who take pride in their appearance.

Although yoga is an ancient practice, originating thousands of years ago in India, prenatal programs here and elsewhere are relatively new. As the magazine Yoga Journal points out, courses resulted from modern need and, during the past few years, have rapidly increased in popularity. Many obstetricians are recommending them to their patients as an ideal way to stay active.

Instruction goes on in a variety of places - adult-education centers, exercise studios and maternity boutiques among them. Though basic principles are similar wherever a course is taught, the format differs. Creativity rules.

Anfuso, for example, reads inspirational poetry to her classes at the loft on South Alamo Street. Philosophical insight plus a bit of mysticism also are included in her lesson plan.

"We talk about letting go of worries, allowing our lights to shine and showing gratitude for the pregnancy experience," the instructor says. "I ask the women to shut their eyes, place their hands on their bellies and bond with their developing babies. Then, once our minds are in tune, we work on flexibility, muscular strength, deep breathing and staying focused - things that can make delivery easier."

The yoga positions suggested are minimally demanding (the comfortable downward-facing dog is a favorite). Anfuso emphasizes that health and safety always take priority; no one is ever pushed too hard or too fast. And, since registration is ongoing, the mommies can be at any point in pregnancy when signing up for the noontime sessions that take place on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

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Om, mama! Prenatal yoga

By Julie Ann AndersonSeptember 6, 2013 12:00 am

It's September time to find your center, listen to your breath and set your intention as you celebrate National Yoga Month.

Are those terms familiar, or do they sound a bit strange? They're terms commonly used in yoga, and if they're new to you, don't let that put you off from considering the yoga experience. Yoga is a great form of exercise, especially for many aging parents and other seniors.

Why is yoga good for aging parents?

Aging parents, spouses and other seniors may find that getting enough exercise is challenging. Because of the gentle nature of yoga, it can be an especially good fit for those of us who are not very active in other forms of exercise. Yoga can be modified for all levels from beginner to advanced.

In addition, yoga involves three areas of exercise that are especially important for seniors: low impact cardiovascular work, resistance training and stretching. Since yoga also concentrates on proper body alignment, its ideal for people who may have some physical limitations.

Yoga can also benefit those of us working on balance. Most all movement in yoga centers on your core strength. The thought behind this is, if your muscles are strong and flexible you can move better as a whole, and if your muscles are strong you are not relying on your skeptical system so much to support your body.

People who have not maintained regular exercise routines are good candidates for yoga classes. A sedentary lifestyle encourages problems such as low back pain, high blood pressure, poor blood circulation, reduced joint flexibility, stress, arthritis and increased body fat. Regular yoga participation lessens these problems.

One caveat: people with advanced cases of dementia may not be ideally suited for yoga. Every person is different, of course, so if your aging parents have dementia, consult with both a doctor and a yoga instructor before enrolling them in a yoga program.

The Rohnert Park Senior Center hosts an exercise class Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45 a.m.-noon, where the focus is low impact, flexibly, strength and balance.

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Yoga benefits aging parents, other seniors