2 Years Strong, True North Farm and Yoga Cultivates Healthy Farmers

YORK – Almost two years ago, Molly Cummings and David Rose cut a ribbon outside their barn. A few cows crunched feed nearby. A crop field lay out in the open. In the barn’s loft, a beautifully finished yoga studio awaited its first official classes.

Now in its second year, True North Farm’s roots are taking hold. They have been host to several events and dinners to propagate healthy, local living, have well-established classes, and always keep their mantra of ‘plant, nurture, harvest’ in both the land and the body.

“Our core idea is that physical yoga postures and breathing techniques can help farmers avoid injury and minimize stress,” said Cummings. “Plant, nurture, harvest. That’s how it works. Farming and yoga have that cycle in common.”

The message is catching on further and further afield. The Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) asked Cummings to speak at their upcoming conference.

Still, the focus is growing their message right here at home, in Livingston County. To celebrate their second year open, True North will have three free yoga classes on Monday, Jan. 15.

At 6 a.m. is a 45 minute express, then regular classes at 9 a.m., noon, and 5:30 p.m.

“I like to customize the class to what the students need when they need it,” said Cummings. “Raking, shoveling, lifting, riding a tractor…every job a farmer does is difficult in a different way.”

At 7 p.m., their ‘Real Men Do Yoga’ class returns for a second year, with Dublin Corners Brewery just down the road setting up for beer tastings.

“We are so fortunate to have our supportive friends and neighbors, many of whom are farmers,” said Cummings.