News BREC Hosts International Yoga Day in the Botanical Gardens

Baton Rouge, LouisianaJun 15, 2026From cold plunges to goat yoga and sound healing, BREC is inviting the community to celebrate International Day of Yoga with a morning dedicated to health and mindfulness.

The free event will take place Saturday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to noon at Independence Community Park Botanical Gardens and will feature more than seven indoor and outdoor yoga sessions for beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

There will also be live music, food trucks, wellness vendors, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to explore unique styles of yoga that offer something for everyone to enjoy!

International Day of Yoga is recognized around the world as a celebration of yoga and its benefits for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. BREC's annual event brings that mission to Baton Rouge by creating an accessible and welcoming space for participants of all ages and abilities.

"The event offers free yoga sessions, wellness activities, and local vendors, giving participants a chance to explore yoga's benefits while connecting with others in their community and supporting a more relaxed, balanced lifestyle,” said Francy Alvarado, BREC recreation manager.

The morning's outdoor yoga lineup includes sessions led by Tone BR, Leela Yoga, Preservation Yoga, Move Your Body Yoga, and two crowd-favorite goat yoga sessions hosted by Old Rusty Gate Farm. Indoor sessions will be held every hour of the event in the Garden Center and hosted by Heather Kemp of Yoga Rouge and special guest, Dr. Lisa Langlois, PhD, DMs.

Dr. Langlois is a scientist and scholar of metaphysics, certified Tai Ji Qi Gong and Meditation Teacher, and Tai Ji Quan/Qi Gong practitioner for over 25 years, Reiki Master, Sound Healer. By combining years of research with deeply rooted yoga practices, she integrates the ideals of focus and concentration with the expansion into the unknown.

"I am especially excited about the sound healing sessions with Heather Kemp because this is a new experience that we have never offered at previous Yoga Day events," Alvarado said.

Families are also encouraged to attend and participate in the new children's yoga sessions led by FLXX Fitness x Petite Princess where kids will have the magical opportunity to do yoga while interacting with princesses!

The sessions are designed to be upbeat and interactive while introducing children to yoga through movement, mindfulness, and creativity. K

No registration is required for children or adults to participate.

In addition to yoga, guests can enjoy wellness vendors, food trucks, live music from the Shane Madere Jr. Trio, a kid zone, photo opportunities, and more throughout the gardens.

Food vendors include Mom + Pops Food Stop, SnoJuice, and Elisa's Cuban Coffee + Kitchen.

“I hope people leave this event feeling refreshed, grounded, and more connected to themselves and their community. My goal is for attendees to experience the benefits of movement, mindfulness, and relaxation in a welcoming space where wellness feels accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of experience level.”

While the event is free, participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats. A limited number of mats will be available on-site and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis before each session.

Whether you're an experienced yogi or stepping onto the mat for the first time, BREC welcomes everyone to participate because what better way to spend your day than outside at your local park!

To register and view a complete schedule of activities, visit BREC's Yoga Day event page here.

All indoor sessions will be in the Garden Center each hour of the event and will have special guest  Dr. Lisa Langlois joining (look online at the schedule for more info on her)

Mention that this is something new to the event this year and that it will be yoga with the princesses, maybe saying "led by" may not have people think it's sponsored by.