 October 13-15 Om Yoga Show Alexandra Palace, London, UK |
 October 16-18 SYR - Symposium on Yoga Research Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, MA |
 October 23-29 Ibiza Tantra Festival Club Hotel Portinatx San Juan Labritja 07810 Cala Portinatx, Spain |
 October 23-27 Yoga-Rainbow Festival Çıralı, Turkey |
 October 25-29 Lamu Yoga Festival Shela, Lamu town and Manda Island. Lamu, Kenya |
 November 11-12 Bendigo Yoga Festival Bendigo, VIC, Australia |
 January 19-20 The Yoga Expo Los Angeles Convention Center, CA, USA |
What to do at Yoga Festival?
Practice
A lot. A whole lot. There are various classes for all levels going from sunrise until sunset – so be prepared for a fair amount of physical exertion. You can go with a regular style and try to augment your practice going forward. Or you could try something different and aim for some totally new experience. How about assuming a Warrior Pose on the surface of water? Or doing a Head Stand in a hammock, perhaps?
Get inspired
We all dream of finding a teacher that’s right for us. You may already have one, but at the festival of yoga there’s always someone to compare with. The organizers invite really best ones, and when you’re back at your native yoga studio, you’ll have a lot to share.
Be free
The yoga festival is by no means a gathering of hardcore yogis who can easily sit in a Lotus position or put their leg behind the ear. Most of the participants are regular people who attend a usual yoga class back home a couple of times a week. But those are the ones who eventually have made up their minds to push beyond their comfort zones.
Photo courtesy Kyer Wiltshire
Make friends
Be prepared to make new exciting acquaintances. It will be simple and easy: on a week-end in a big nice company of people who are greatly in love with yoga, at the same level as you are.
Dance
Concerts and parties at yoga festivals is something really special. And, even if it’s like pulling teeth getting you onto the dancefloor back in your home town, especially when you’re totally exhausted after a long session practicing, here you won’t want to go to bed that early.
What to bring?
- a yoga mat and a mat bag or sling
- props, if you need them
- a bottle for water
- light and nutritious snacks
- sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hat
- a repellent
- a towel
- yoga clothes for various weather conditions
- footwear for moving about the area
- some cash
Photo: Richard Nesdale
What is the cost?
It’s around $100 per festival day based on the all-day pass* rate. Plus the cost of lodging. Festival websites always provide a list of lodging facilities available in the area at the time, including campsites where you can put up a tent*. If board is not included, make sure you factor in your possible food expenses, meals being pretty expensive down there. Plus things like T-shirts, souvenirs, disks, books, etc. Yes, the weekend may be quite pricey, but it’s definitely worth it.
* if you want a complete immersion 🙂
Image courtesy of Wanderlust Festivals. Used by permission.
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