Saskatoon

Michael Franti plays music for outdoor yoga jam

Hundreds of people stretched and sang during a noon hour "yoga jam" at the Delta Bessborough.

The musician brings the tunes, Ryan Leier the moves

Yoga in the park (Dan Zakreski/CBC)

It's not a stretch to say the first "yoga jam" at the Delta Bessborough gardens was a success.

Hundreds of yoga practitioners braved the smoky skies to roll out their mats for a guided exercise session with Ryan Leier.

Not only did they get to stretch and pose with an internationally-recognized yoga master – they got to do it with musical accompaniment from one the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival headliners.

Funkster Michael Franti is playing the main stage tonight. He's also a yoga dude, and friends with Leier.

Franti supplied the music, Leier the moves.

The session began with Franti playing and singing to get the crowd moving and warmed up. Then, Leier took over the mic for the guided exercises.

The pair hope to make it an annual event.

Ryan Leier tries an unconventional yoga move while Michael Franti provides musical accompaniment during a lunchtime session during the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival. (Dan Zakreski/CBC)