Shecky’s Yoga Sequel – Because Enlightment Doesn’t Happen In Just One Class ( Shana and Howard Productions) 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival

Photo of Howard PressburgerI couldn’t have been more excited about going to the Ahimsa Yoga studio for their Toronto Fringe Festival play Shecky’s Yoga Sequel: Because Enlightenment Doesn’t Happen in Just One Class. As a theatre and yoga lover the choice to see this show was a no brainer. However, even though the show left me feeling a little more relaxed and enlightened, I did feel like the overall performance could have been stronger and tighter.

Let’s start at the beginning. Walking in to the site-specific venue, I was greeted with a friendly Namaste from Shecky Sheckleman (played by Howard Pressburger), some live music and a studio full of perfectly laid out colourful yoga mats. Just like a kid in a candy store, I couldn’t decide what mat I wanted to sit and do yoga poses on. Everything looked all pretty and once on the mat, I was eager to find out what I would be doing next.

The class began with chanting and some humorous moments with the call and respond chant. The integration of Judaism and yoga was clever and I’m all for laughter in class! There were moments in the show however that I felt myself tuning out. Generally in yoga that is not a bad thing but as it’s a show, I felt that some of the dialogue could have been clearer and stronger. For example, Shecky’s releationships with his yoga assistant, Hannah Mann (played by Shana Sandler), was wonderful but it would been great to see them connect more.

With all that said, I did love learning some of the fun new almost dance-like movements that were well integrated with a gentle yoga flow practice and pranayama (breath work). I especially loved the integration of the philosophy of yoga and yoga sutras.! This class is for all levels and it is beginner yoga with loads of choices for modifications! Bring comfortable clothes as you will be moving around. The concept is brilliant and I am sure this is just the beginning for Shecky’s Yoga!

Details

Performances

  • Thursday June 30th, 01:30 pm
  • Friday July 1st, 07:30 pm
  • Saturday July 2nd, 07:00 pm
  • Sunday July 3rd, 02:00 pm
  • Tuesday July 5th, 09:30 pm
  • Thursday July 7th, 01:30 pm
  • Friday July 8th, 09:30 pm
  • Saturday July 9th, 07:00 pm
  • Sunday July 10th, 02:00 pm

Photo of Howard Pressburger provided by company