First Mystic Mentor event coming July 31

Will have yoga classes, local vendors, music, acrobatics

Local yogis and wellness enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to with the first annual Mystic Mentor event, a one-day festival full of yoga classes for all ages and skill levels, dancing and shopping from local vendors.

Mystic Mentor is scheduled for July 31 at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater, from 11a.m. to 5p.m. Along with several yoga sessions, it will feature food trucks, a live DJ and an aerial silks performance from the Chardon-based Jasmine Dragons acrobatics group.

The performers will be suspended from

fabric and utilize it to “fly” through the air while showcasing their acrobatic skills.

According to Juanita Justice, recreation superintendent for the city of Mentor, the inspiration for the event came about after Casey Gruden, owner of Mystic Yoga Tribe in Mentor, offered to hold free community yoga classes within the city — the idea got a foothold and developed into the Mystic Mentor festival.

“Casey had attended several yoga festivals in the Cleveland and Akron areas, and felt that Mentor had an ideal location which could lead to something great,” Justice said. “We are very excited to be partnering with Mystic Yoga Tribe, a local business, to bring something new to the community.”

“We are always looking for new and exciting events to hold at the beautiful Mentor amphitheater, it really is a perfect venue to host anything spectacular,” she added. “We felt that music at the amphitheater is tried and true,

and is evident by the continued and ongoing success of Mentor Rocks. We wanted to try something a little different which would cater to a completely different type of crowd.”

Registration for the event is free, and Justice said it has already caused quite a buzz among the area yoga community.

“The highlight will certainly be the opening yoga class performed by Casey and Mystic Yoga Tribe. To date, there are close to 500 people registered for the class,” she said, “It will be an amazing sight to see that many yoga enthusiasts on the amphitheater lawn at one time. Also, all the unique vendors partaking in the outdoor market will be a huge hit for all the spectators of the event.”

She said the market will have over 30 participating local businesses, with a wide range of products and services. Artists, boutiques, wellness professionals and psychics are just a few types in the lineup.

To register for Mystic Mentor or learn more, visit www.mysticmentorfestival.com

NEWS-HERALD FILE Aerialist Brynn Miller, descending, of Chardon-based Jasmine Dragons Acrobatics, performs at Headlands BeachFest in Mentor in June. Jasmine Dragons will return to the city July 31 to perform at Mystic Mentor.