Simmons' Garden, Don Mills

A garden in which to practice yoga, inspired by the dry-raked pebble stream called the "River of Life" at the garden of Daisen-in Temple, Kyoto, Japan. The garden space is clearly delineated by a cedar fence, a 4" x 4" post-and-beam structure and a hedge of yews. Light filtering through the fence bestows the garden with an impression of shimmering waves. The garden is simple in format, focusing on a meandering dry pebble stream punctuated with three clusters of Kingston sandstone boulders, which is surrounded by an expansive bed of periwinkles. The yoga platform faces east toward the rising sun.

"The garden of rocks, dry river and greenery is a reminder of my oneness with all that is. It is a place for me
to be still."
Sheila Simmons
yoga teacher