If one of your intentions this year is to prioritize your wellness AND have more fun, a wellness festival might be just the ticket. Along the West Coast (a.k.a. Blessed Coast) you’ll find some of the world’s top wellness festivals happening in Squamish, Seattle, Oregon and, of course, California. Pack your bags: here are a few of the best festivals on the horizon:
samsarafest. The word Samsara means journeying, and this festival in Enumclaw, just outside of Seattle, provides 100-plus wellness and healing activies to support your journey. From yoga to various healing to nature immersion, live musice, hands-on workshops, inspiring talks and intimate circles, you can expect a lot of play, celebration, some hugging, some crying, some stillness and a tonne of positivity and healing at Samsarafest.
shakti fest. At the beautiful Joshua Tree Campground in California, this festival offers live music, yoga classes, healing, conscious workshops, gender-specific classes and more. Featuring popular teachers and artists such as Jai Uttal, Shiva Rea, MC Yogi, Donna De Lory, Saul David Raye, Dawn Cartwright, Fannah Fi Allah, Janet Stone, Kia Miller, Wicked Hangin Chads and many more, Shakti Fest is one of the few all-ages, family-friendly music and yoga festivals on the circuit today.
bhakti fest. Celebrating the devotional paths of yoga, Kirtan (sacred music) and meditation, Bhakti Fest is one of the few wellness festivals that is completely drug- and alcohol-free. Bring your yoga mats to the idyllic Joshua Tree Lake Campground and get ready to practice with some of the best yoga teachers in the world including Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra, Radananth Swami, Janet Stone, Gaura Vani and Michael Brian Baker (plus dance to sacred sounds with world-renown grammy nominated Kirtan artists).
blessed festival. A celebration of music, yoga and arts, the Blessed Festival is an invitation to experience some of B.C.’s most-loved yoga teachers, speakers and wisdom-keepers, surrounded by the breathtaking views of the local Squamish mountains and rivers. Also, enjoy the art and wisdom of the Coast Salish teachers who bring their communal ceremonies to the modern context of celebration.
wanderlust. An all-out celebration of mindful living, Wanderlust has been a go-to festival for wellness and yoga lovers for quite some time, which means you can pretty much be guaranteed a positive experience. This festival now comes to MANY places across Canada and the U.S., bringing together the world’s top yoga and mindful teachers (this year’s teachers include Eoinn Finn, Janet Stone, and Cheryl Strayed!).
okanagan yoga festival. The OYF invites people from the Okanagan and beyond to create community and immerse themselves in three days of conscious celebration. From yoga classes to hiking to meditation to hands-on workshops and mindful wine tasting, you’ll leave feeling renewed and inspired. Set at the stunning Spirit Ridge resort in Osoyoos, with an emphasis on honouring the indigenous spirit of the land, this is one of the top wellness festivals the Okanagan has to offer.
telluride yoga festival. Set in the stunningly beautiful and majestic setting of Telluride, Colorado, this authentic and intimate festival includes more than 100 offerings throughout the weekend including classes, workshops, lecturers and social events that you will not want to miss.
sat nam fest. Here’s an invitation to immerse yourself in the joy, transformation and rejuvenation of Kundalini Yoga, sacred chant and creativity. Whether you are an experienced yogi, or this is your first time practicing Kundalini Yoga, Sat Nam Fest is designed to allow wellness festival go-ers to create an individualized experience. Let your heart be your guide!
beloved. Imagine a world that understands the depth of our connection with each other, to the planet and to our souls? Beloved 2019 is a model of, and invitation to, this connection, featuring sacred music from diverse global traditions, along with interactive art installations, live painting, local organic cuisine, workshops on yoga, healing, relationships, social and environmental justice, and the music and wisdom of ancient cultures. Get ready for a truly immersive experience!
soulplay festival. Happening in Pinecrest, Cali, SoulPlay Festival offers four days focused on heart-opening connection, blissful dance and invigorating yoga via 40 presenters, 60-plus workshops and a truly all-inclusive experience.
Monica Krake is founder of Head + Heart, a mindful calendar that helps people discover events and teachers to support their journeys. Follow on Instagram or Facebook. Photo courtesy Paulita Carrion.
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