Contact:  Ed Ferenc, Public Information Officer
Cleveland Municipal Court
216 664 6787 / 216 789 2597
ference@cmcoh.org     www.cmcoh.org

Cleveland) -- After months of planning, The Cleveland Municipal Court staged Yoga in the Park on Monday, September 20th at Edgewater Park.  The first of its kind event engaged participants of the Greater Cleveland Drug Court in a two hour session promoting total wellness in mind, body and spirit.

The Honorable Lauren Moore, the primary inspiration for Yoga in the Park welcomed the 90 participants, along with Administrative and Presiding Judge Michelle D. Earley, Judge Ann Clare Oakar and now Appeals Court Judge Emanuella Groves.   

Yoga instructor Shilah Kidd conducted two 30 minute yoga sessions, followed by instructions on healthy eating and  exercise.  Bottled water, healthy snacks and fruits were donated by Dave's Supermarkets and the Cleveland Probation Department.  A dozen agencies affiliated with the drug court set up tables to distribute information on sobriety, HIV and achieving total wellness.  The Cleveland Department of Public Heath also provided a mobile unit for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.   At least nine individuals were vaccinated that day.  

Judge Moore, who has overseen the Greater Cleveland Drug Court since 2015 was more than happy with the turnout and plans to make this a yearly event.

“I wanted to do something different and I must admit, many of the participants did not think they would like yoga, but after all was done, they really enjoyed it,” said Judge Moore.

Participants in the Greater Cleveland Drug Court generally spend 12 to 20 months in the program. Longer cases may occur due to the fact that opiate addicts generally need more treatment time.  

Specialized dockets like the Greater Cleveland Drug Court are dedicated to handling offenses related to substance abuse and use a combination of techniques for holding the offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. 

Currently 1,848 people have graduated from the program since it began in 1998.