​I am unbelievably lucky to teach a class once a week to 3-7 amazing mothers here in Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek.  We meet at one of their homes every single Thursday at 10 a.m. and I have to say that this class is by far my favorite one of the week.  I absolutely love to watch these strong and extremely loving mothers become even more strong and calm and collected as the weeks pass on.  I am always wowed by their ability to stay focused and present despite the occasional toy drill going off near them (or on them lol) during savasana, an occasional cry in the nearby kids play room, or a little monkey crawling on their backs while in child's pose or downward dog (I sometimes don't even need to assist, the kids do it for me heehe!) I think that my favorite part is the smiling... at the end of class we are all smiling.  I want to share this experience with more mothers, so I've developed the following... please tell your friends and share the love.

What's up with yoga festivals?  Why gather teachers in one place over a long weekend?   What's the intention?   Flying or road-tripping, paying for food and lodging, and then the buying tickets.   Oh my god, this might get pricey!   Is it worth it? Let's take a look.  The answers lie within the questions.

There is a shift occurring within yoga culture.  Well, there's always a shift.  Social media has opened up the larger community to practitioners at home and in local studios.   At the click of a mouse, a mountain of knowledge is available for our practice.  Communication has never been so fluid and immediate.  Teachers outside of our immediate sphere are accessible unlike ever before. 

The yoga festival physically exposes you to quality teachers that grace our yoga culture.   They are dedicated to honing the craft of teaching with care and attention.  They represent lineage in order to preserve the deeper nature of yogic practice. Sign me up, right?   Well, you have one weekend and so many choices.  The point is to look at the festival as a place to get your feet wet with certain teachers.  Treat it as the dream buffet for the yogic student.

Connection stands true within the practice of yoga.  We are not islands unto ourselves.   Connecting with like-minded people serves a human need that is within us all.  When interaction steps out of cyberspace into physical form we truly are in a place of heartfelt satisfaction.  Connection amongst many leads to community.  Here is where things get super cool.

The sense of community that is available at yoga festivals sends chills up the spine.  Picture hundreds or thousands of people gathered for a weekend with a common goal of practicing and connecting.  You end up immersed in the ultimate fun fest.  People are experiencing a level of teaching unlike ever before.  Music is in the air.  Hearts are wide open.  Connecting with old friends, making bonds with new ones.  Loving life to the fullest, everyone attends with clarity in their mind, body and spirit.  If you could experience a lengthened bliss state, it just might be at a yoga festival.