Jamie Murnane

On a hot and sticky Labor Day weekend at the lakefront, the folks at Clairol Natural Instincts couldn't think of a better time to sit on plastic mats in the grass and do yoga. Grove 7, across the pedestrian bridge in Lincoln Park, has been transformed into a giant yoga studio with the Find Your Balance Festival, a celebration of yoga, natural-ingredient hair color and Mariel Hemingway, Woody Allen's teen love in "Manhattan" and Ernest's granddaughter.

To kick off the fest, Jason and Frisco, coincidentally from San Francisco, are leading about thirty women in a "warm-up" yoga routine. It's so humid that if you listen closely, you can hear the sound of skin sticking to the mats. Crrsssssh.

Small white tents are set up, one belonging to the magazine Yoga Journal. Passersby, perhaps too intimidated to participate, snag free copies. One woman turns to her friend and namedrops the wrong kin of the famed novelist and Oak Park native, "Oh, my friend is here. It's something with that Margaux Hemingway..."

A woman is pulled from the audience to be administered Natural Instincts' hair makeover. The facilitator asks her when's the last time she's colored her hair. The growing crowd gasps in unison when she responds, "February."

Finally, Mariel comes out, introduced as "not only an actress, but a mother and one of the original weirdos who's been doing yoga since before it was popular." Mariel begins to preach about how yoga has saved her life, and just before leading a tougher workout, mentions her new book, "Finding My Balance," that she'll sign later.

(2004-09-08)

Also by Jamie Murnane

Indisposable cameras
Resembling average club goers, this group of five is comprised of artists and activists from Inner City Light
(2004-08-31)

Still curious
The Rhino fest has been known for showcasing some of the most groundbreaking, original theatrics since its inception
(2004-08-25)

'Do it
Lake Michigan dances on one of the protruding second floor platforms of Vision nightclub, shimmying and shaking to the DJ's beats
(2004-08-03)

The Naked City
Dressed as though she's just come from church, Carol's a polite, fragile-looking woman. Her husband George stands near a towering pine tree nearby, completely, shamelessly naked.
(2004-07-20)

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