Yoga on the Beach coming to Manitowoc's Lakeview Park, near the lighthouse

Ariane Gunderson

For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Hello, everyone! Please allow me to introduce myself to those of you not familiar with me and my work. My name is Ariane Gunderson, and I’m a certified and registered yoga instructor. I moved to the Lakeshore exactly one year ago from Watertown. My mother is a senior library assistant at the Watertown Public Library. I remember teaching very large yoga classes in their very small meeting room.

The class I held there on Thursday nights was their most popular program. It was an honor to have so many wonderful people come and enjoy a free class. It made my heart happy; it made me feel like this was what I was meant to do. The best part was that on the same night as my yoga class, their library also held a “Reading with Rover” program where children read to therapy dogs. So, once yoga concluded, we would all get to hang out with the therapy dogs. There are so many fond memories of that library that I’ll never forget.

When I moved to Two Rivers, I knew I wanted to help support our amazing Lakeshore libraries, too. The free services, programs and classes offered at these institutions are so wonderful and diverse. There is something enriching for everybody at the library. Personally, I love taking the occasional arts and crafts classes. Additionally, they also offer an amazing array of other programming — creative programs for children, spelling bees for adults, computer and tech classes, opportunities for business groups, teen programs, yoga classes, and much more! Besides the great offerings, libraries also serve as a vital hub for the community.

With that in mind, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce a new possibility for people in our community: Yoga on the Beach is coming to Manitowoc on Aug. 28! Enjoy 60 minutes of all-levels yoga by the waterfront. The class will be on the beach at Lakeview Park (by the Manitowoc lighthouse). This class is complimentary for the community, but registration is required. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org, click on the “Events” tab up top, and click again on the appropriate calendar listing to sign up. Bring friends, family and neighbors! And while this is a free class, donations are welcome in support of Manitowoc Public Library.

The library is a great place to meet new people, outside of work and school. It’s also simply a wonderful safe, quiet and warm place to be. As a college student myself, I love having a quiet place to study. These are just a few reasons I decided to hold this fundraiser for MPL. I hope you can make it!

If you can’t make it, we are also having some free candlelight yoga sessions in the fall! Mark your calendars for Sept. 18 and Oct. 2. Class begins at 7 p.m. in the Balkansky Community Room at Manitowoc Public Library. This class is suitable for everybody! Come as you are, no experience needed. Registration at www.manitowoclibrary.org is also required for these classes.

If you are interested in coming to a class at our hot yoga studio, find us at 3114 Memorial Drive in Two Rivers. We are neighbors with Tapped on the Lakeshore. Find our schedule online at www.yogibeeryoga.com.

Thank you for allowing me this introduction, and I can’t wait to see everyone at one of these upcoming yoga experiences at Manitowoc Public Library!

Ariane Gunderson is studio manager at Yogi Beer Yoga.

OTHER NEWS: