CTV News Montreal

Updated: Sat Sep. 26 2009 6:17:45 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

Yoga lovers rarely have the opportunity to practice in the middle of a downtown city street.

But today, at the St. Viateur Street Festival, they were able to downward dog to their hearts' content.

A stretch of the Mile-End street from St. Laurent Blvd. to de Gaspe St. was closed to traffic, so residents could take advantage of the fall weather and promote arts and culture.

"Ahh, absolutely fabulous! It's an entirely different experience. You've got the open sky, you've got the sun and it's luscious!" said one attendee.

Part of Les Journees de la Culture, a weekend of free activities across the province to promote arts and culture.

It's something new Montrealer Clarence Cunha said he's never seen before.

"This is very nice, where they actually block off a nice little road. I come from the centre of London, and this never really happens, no," said Cunha.

The event was also aimed at community gathering and preserving green spaces in the city centre.

"There's been a committee mobilizing around conserving this space and talking to the city about what alternative developments could take place," said Emily Rose Michaud from the Mile End Citizens' Committee.

Meantime, families took advantage of painting, craft making, and the open-air art gallery, something artist Heidi Daehler appreciated.

"I think it's actually a lot of fun. It just seems that people are a little bit more relaxed than when they walk into a gallery," said Daehler.