There are few places in the world more energetic, vibrant, and iconic than Times Square. Known for its flashing billboards, endless movement, and unmistakable New York City energy, it may seem like the last place you’d expect to find thousands of people practicing stillness and mindfulness together.
Yet on June 21, 2026, that’s exactly what happened.
In celebration of International Yoga Day, YogaRenew Co-Director Patrick Franco stepped onto one of the world’s most recognizable stages to lead approximately 10,000 students through a powerful all-levels yoga practice in the middle of Times Square.
As the city buzzed around them, thousands of yoga practitioners rolled out their mats and gathered together in a collective celebration of movement, breath, and community. The event brought people from all walks of life together to honor a practice that has connected individuals around the globe for centuries.
Bringing Yoga to the Center of the World
International Yoga Day, observed annually on June 21st, celebrates the profound impact yoga has had on physical health, mental well-being, and global connection. Every year, practitioners gather around the world to practice together, but few events capture the spirit of yoga quite like the annual Times Square gathering.
Standing before a sea of students stretching across one of the busiest intersections on earth, Patrick guided participants through a thoughtfully sequenced flow that reflected the signature YogaRenew teaching style: intelligent movement, creative transitions, and accessible challenges that encourage students to explore their potential.
The practice featured several YogaRenew fan favorites, including:
- Parsva Bakasana (Side Crow)
- Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose)
- Dynamic twisting sequences
- Heart-opening backbends
- Balancing postures designed to cultivate focus and presence
Students were invited to challenge themselves while remaining grounded in the foundational principles of breath awareness and mindful movement.
A True New York City Savasana
Of course, no yoga class is complete without Savasana, but this wasn’t your typical quiet studio ending. As students settled onto their mats beneath towering skyscrapers and giant digital billboards, the sounds of New York City continued all around them. A last minute siren became part of the experience, creating what Patrick jokingly referred to as a true New York City Savasana. Rather than distracting from the practice, these sounds became a reminder of one of yoga’s most valuable lessons: finding stillness amidst chaos.
In a city famous for its constant motion, thousands of people paused together, breathed together, and experienced a moment of collective presence.
Watch the Entire Class
The best part? You don’t have to travel to New York City to experience the class yourself. The team at Times Square NYC captured the event on video, allowing practitioners around the world to join Patrick’s International Yoga Day practice from anywhere.
A Little About Patrick Franco and YogaRenew
Patrick Franco serves as Co-Director of YogaRenew’s Online Yoga Teacher Training Programs alongside fellow educator and YogaRenew Co-Director Kate Lombardo. Together, Patrick and Kate have helped shape YogaRenew into one of the world’s leading online yoga schools, educating and certifying thousands of yoga teachers across the globe. Their shared passion for thoughtful sequencing, effective cueing, anatomy-informed movement, and accessible teaching methods has become the foundation of the YogaRenew teaching methodology.
Since joining forces with YogaRenew, they have developed numerous online teacher training programs, continuing education courses, workshops, and educational resources designed to support yoga students and teachers at every stage of their journey.
What makes their approach unique is a commitment to balancing tradition with practicality. Their trainings emphasize not only what to teach, but how to teach—helping future instructors develop the confidence, clarity, and teaching skills needed to lead meaningful classes.
Teaching on One of the World’s Biggest Stages
For Patrick, teaching yoga in Times Square wasn’t simply about leading a large crowd. It was an opportunity to share the transformative power of yoga with thousands of people simultaneously and demonstrate that yoga truly belongs everywhere.
From quiet studios to bustling city streets, yoga continues to serve as a practice that helps us connect more deeply with ourselves and with one another.
And on International Yoga Day 2026, in the heart of New York City, that connection was on full display. If you missed the live event, don’t worry—you can still practice with Patrick and experience the energy of this unforgettable International Yoga Day celebration from wherever you call home.
