Los Angeles community events seen and heard during the month of September: Waves of Flags at Pepperdine University, Bhakti Fest and more.
Yoga Day at the Dodgers Stadium
Photo by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer
Rolling out their mats on the outfield at Dodgers Stadium, more than TK yogis practiced with YogaWorks teacher Mia Togo after watching the Dodgers play the Pittsburg Pirates on September 20. After the rousing popularity of the first Yoga Day at the Dodgers event in May, YogaWorks and the hometown baseball team decided to play again. The gorgeous sunny day made for a memorable yoga event we hope is offered again next year. yogaworks.com; losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com
Bhakti Fest
photo by Richard Nesdale
Bhakti Fest
photo by Richard Nesdale
Thousands gathered for the annual Bhakti Fest West held at Joshua Tree Retreat Center September 10-14. Artists including Trevor Hall and Donna De Lory (pictured) rocked the desert with ecstasy and devotion, igniting days of singing, dancing, meditation, yoga, workshops, sacred art, vegetarian food, and more. Dates have been announced for 2016! Shakti Fest will be held May 12-16 and Bhakti Fest West will be September 9-14. bhaktifest.com
Bring to the mat ignited community in the valley raised $12,000 for Support for the Kids
Bring to the Mat Ignited Community in the Valley on September 11
More than 150 people joined Lainie Devina and a number of her fellow lululemon ambassadors to practice yoga, have fun, and raise more than $12,000 for Support for the Kids; all proceeds will directly go to providing school supplies, shoes, jackets, field trips to museums and more to underprivileged youth. What impacted her? “The most meaningful moment of the night was watching class with my husband by my side. I had his never-ending support at each step of the way, but at that moment, I felt his deep awareness at what we had created.” With everything she learned about creating community, Lainie is planning Bring it to the Mat 2. bringittothemat.org
Second Annual Peace Walk and Peace in the Park Festival
Second Annual Peace Walk and Peace in the Park Festival
On September 12, more than 220 people joined the Brahma Kumaris for an interfaith ceremony, guided meditation, stretching exercises, and a walk for peace along Palisades Park in Santa Monica. Along the way, signs with messages including “Peace is our true nature,” and “Meditation leads to inner peace,” guided the way. brahmakumaris.org
Waves of Flags at Pepperdine University. Photo by Ron Hall, Pepperdine University
Waves of Flags at Pepperdine University
From September 10-24, Pepperdine University’s Alumni Park hosted the 8th Annual Waves of Flags memorial display, an installation of 2,977 flags; 2,887 American flags for each American life lost and 90 various international flags representing the home countries of those from abroad who died in the 9/11 attacks. This annual installation is built by volunteers and offers an opportunity for reflection and tribute. pepperdine.edu
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.