Malcolm X Park has more than the typical swing sets, slides and monkey bars. This local park has AcroYoga, drum circles, dancing and more.

Acroyoga

Instead of practicing the art of basic yoga, those who attend the park use the grassy fields to practice AcroYoga. This is a mix of three ancient Buddhist and Hindu practices of yoga and acrobatic concepts. It was first officially established as a practice in 2006, and has taken off as a mass trend in Malcolm X Park ever since. There are seven different elements that make up the practice: circle ceremony, asana, partner flow, inversions and spotting, therapeutic flying, Thai massage, and partner acrobatics. All of these elements involve two to three people, therefore trust is a key factor in this practice. Amongst these groups are three primary roles: the base, the flier and the spotter. The base has the most contact with the ground in order to provide stability for the flier. The flier balances on top of the base and twists into a multitude of acrobatic positions, letting gravity do most of his or her work. The spotter is basically the safety net for the flier, making sure that he or she does not get injured or harm the base by slipping. Many people practice AcroYoga on a field to the north side of the park, and encourage newcomers to participate.

Drummers

The park was built on a hill, so whether you are walking down the street, running up the stairs or walking in from the north side, you can instantly hear the loud pounding of the drums. The drummers of the park are not there to simply bang out their own beats, but rather because they love being one with the park. Typically, the drummers begin arriving at the park around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. All of them gather at the top of the park, where the concrete benches are located. Creativity is what catches peoples’ attention the most because the drummers do not play reading off of sheet music or with specific rythyms. Instead, they come up with their own beats and combine them with other instruments, such as guitars and maracas. At first, the drummers warm-up with something soft, but they progressively move onto more exciting beats to encourage dance. Whether you are a professional or just a beginner, any instrument you bring to the park is welcomed. There is no need to be shy; all of the people have different origins and ages, and come to enjoy the time they spend creating this great atmosphmere for others.

Dancers

There are no requirements or permission needed to participate; anyone and everyone are encouraged to jump in and give it all they’ve got. Many parents bring their toddlers to the park because it is very family-friendly and kids enjoy moving along to beats they hear. Not only do the little kids move their arms and legs in their own crazy styles, but adults also find their own style to go along with the music. The majority of the dancing is African-based and performed barefoot. Like in the photo to the right, many people add a plethura of creativity to their dancing styles. Some people bring groove staffs and practice pois, which are are basically balls on chords that are generally used for fire dancing. However, they do not actually use them for fire dancing, but rather as a dance accessory. Although it may seem simple, dancing with these items is actually a lot harder than it seems, because it requires a lot of hand-eye coordination. Upon visitng the park, feel free to let loose, feel the groove of the music and just have fun with yourself and friends.

Location: 2500 16th Street Northwest,

Washington D.C., DC 20009

Open: Sundays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.