Shakti Fest: A Devotional Revelation

Stepping into the world of Shakti Fest  was like an invitation into a mother’s sweet embrace. The Spring, 2019, location at the Joshua Tree RV and Campground provided a new level of intimacy to the already heart-filled experience of these weekends.

The festival is centered around a little lake buzzing with animal life: swimming fish, ducklings and dragon flies making their subtle own music. The offerings of movement, stillness, sound and song were all blending with the natural beauty present in the desert. We were hugged in by surrounding mountains and treated to saturated sunsets. The entire nature-based experience is a visual and visceral treat to the senses that supports the ability to sit in meditation to go find center within.

Celebration the Divine Feminine on the Devotional Journey of Shakti Fest

We all were in a state of change together, after having become comfortable in the original festival location (Joshua Tree Retreat Center) that so many of us loved for ten years. Shakti Fest on Mother’s Day has always helped to celebrate the divine feminine — a welcomed rebirth and a long drink for those of us who were thirsty for connection.

Again this year, healers and the teachers came from around the world to be recharged in the sun and light desert rain. A time to be led by love, dance, and play amongst the faces of those doing such profound work in the world. We know it’s important for us to fill our own cups and I witnessed so many cups being filled. Massages, shady naps, breath-work classes, stretching and asana practices, as well as the celebratory and rhythmic collective stomping and dancing feet were all parts of the whole—a cacophony of happenings in one place.

The Celebration of Kirtan

The celebration was both a reminder of and a return to our own oneness. Govind Das and Radha of Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica kicked off the love fest with a kirtan on Thursday night. The entire gathering was teary-eyed under the stars while Radha’s powerhouse of a voice praised the feminine “Ma” energy of the universe, dedicating the music to each of our mothers.

Harmon Clarke was our energetic Master of Ceremonies, introducing sacred music artists including MC YOGI, Jai Uttal, Fantuzzi, Fannah Fi Allah and many more who inspired us to get on our feet, grooving and shaking on the back of Mother Earth at night after days of practice. The festival offered an abundance of high-vibration nutritious vegetarian and vegan food and drinks to keep us going through it all.

Quiet and cool nights could be spent in a tent, RV, or in a rented colorful trailer on the grounds. Some retired early to rest, while others created their own circles of song long into the night. Shakti Fest was filled with such profound moments. Everything (from the yoga mat to the sound baths) created a magical wonderland for the lover of Bhakti, or devotional practice.

Everyone I connected with was in a state of awe. We acknowledged just how much can be discovered when we are together, sharing, and practicing devotion in our favorite ways. Be it the light or shadows that are revealed to us, everything in the container of the festival experience is all for our benefit: to learn and to help us make our way back to our nature of unconditional compassion.

Gratitude for the Practice

Namaste, Shakti Fest, and to each person whose hearts/hands went into the making of this transformative weekend of motherly love. Jai Ma.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Dawn Sorenson

Dawn Sorenson is an artist/writer, yin yoga instructor and healing advocate with a focus on our emotional bodies. Trained all over Asia and blends eastern/western modalities for a balanced approach of ancient and modern. Based in Santa Monica, she is a lover of life, people and all things transformational. www.rootandrisehealing.com

www.rootandrisehealing.com

The post Reflecting on the Devotional Journey of Shakti Fest appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Creativity, Consciousness, and Crystals at Be Crystal Clear

A new incarnation of wellness has arrived in Santa Monica. Be Crystal Clear is a studio and event space on Broadway created by owner Sugar Panbehchi. A visual treat of intricate murals on the facade and adorning the walls within have been painted by Mari Pavanelli and Brian Farrell, artists that provided imagery of creativity and consciousness. Then there are the innumerable hand-selected crystals. One cannot help but be taken with all the shining potency on display and for purchase. This is Sugar’s powerful yet delicate touch, her vast knowledge of healing, her attention to detail. I attended a breathwork and sound bath on a Monday evening, a great way to behold this space, the offerings, and its glittering greatness in twilight.

What struck me as the class began is Sugar’s love for the individuals who come to Be Crystal Clear. She is unconditional with her words, eyes contact and soft smile. This provides an embrace of trust as one goes into the breathwork, which truly is work, before relaxing us into restoration of sound with crystal bowls carefully chosen from a maker in Utah. It’s crystal clear that Sugar’s background of mind/body/spirit healing is thoughtful, intentional. She shares with us what she adores and it shows.

Sugar has created something worthy of awe, being careful stewards to the space. Classes offered are always changing yet focused on movement, stillness and sound. The depth of experience held by Sugar shows in every nook and cranny, like the textured stairs that feel like beach sand below your toes on the way up to the children’s area and her private healing room. I recommend to anyone looking for a safe place to dance, stretch, and rest come see/feel what is available here.

Visit Be Crystal Clear

Be Crystal Clear, 719 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
424.280.4525
becrystalclear.com

Dawn Sorenson

Dawn Sorenson is an artist/writer, yin yoga instructor and healing advocate with a focus on our emotional bodies. Trained all over Asia and blends eastern/western modalities for a balanced approach of ancient and modern. Based in Santa Monica, she is a lover of life, people and all things transformational. www.rootandrisehealing.com

www.rootandrisehealing.com

The post Be Crystal Clear is a Center for Healing and Fitness appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Deliciously Ella tests natural skin care for her line with Neal’s Yard.

One of the ways in which we both nourish and protect our skin is through moisturizing. Layering a light lotion with a mist or spray toner is both a soothing and supportive combination. Solutions for skin care for travelers can be found among products from skin care lines with botanical ingredients that are good enough to eat. Many of these ingredients have powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of these include lime, lemongrass, rose, cucumber, reishi, fulvic acid, and edible minerals.

Lemongrass for Natural Skin Care

Lemongrass is a favorite ingredient in products such as Eminence Rosehip & Lemongrass Soothing Hydrator and jane iredale Lemongrass Love Hydration Spray. According to Adina Diaz, Your Skin Care Guru, “Lemongrass is a natural antibacterial and astringent that reduces breakouts, unclogs the pores, and clears oil and dead skin cells away. Lemongrass also has powerful emotionally uplifting effects.”

Deliciously Ella Rose, Lime & Cucumber Moisturizer by Neal’s Yard

For more than 35 years, Neal’s Yard in England has produced organically grown, botanically based skin care products. Their latest collaboration with London-based influential wellness expert Ella Woodward (Deliciously Ella) launched worldwide. The uplifting combination of rose, lime, blueberry, and cucumber softens skin while adding phytonutrients.
3.38 fl oz ($25) nealsyardremedies.com

Spritzes and Sprays for Natural Skin Care 

Facial sprays and mists are one of my favorite go-to items as I am both a makeup artist and a resident of a hot, dry climate. They are wonderful for adding a bit more moisture to your face and for refreshing or setting your makeup after powder. Taking a small facial spritz with you on the plane is a great way to keep your skin from drying out on your journey.

You can purchase or make these kinds of sprays. If you choose to DIY, just take a small spray bottle with cool water, add a couple drops of your favorite essential oils like lavender, sweet orange, or lemongrass—and enjoy!

Rosehip & Lemongrass Soothing Hydrator by Eminence Organic Skin Care

This full-body and facial moisturizer is both lightweight and effective. It also softens skin quickly upon application. Ingredients include rosehip, lemongrass and aloe. 5 fl oz ($48) eminenceorganics.com

Facial Mist with Rose Hydrosol & Reishi Toning Coconut by Alaffia

The reishi mushroom is a beloved superfood used to help strengthen vitality. Alaffia has added it to one of their skincare lines. According to the fair trade company’s Communication Director Shane Hart, “Studies show Reishi is nourishing, helps skin adapt to environmental stresses, and fights lines.” This mist has a bit more texture than some other facial sprays, allowing it to add lasting hydration to the skin. 3.4 fl oz ($11.99) alaffia.com

Lemongrass Love Hydration Spray by Jane Iredale

This refreshing spray with the light essence of lemongrass is soothing for skin of all types.  as it is hydrating without being oily. This limited edition certified organic cosmetic is also a vehicle for giving back; 100% of proceeds from the sale of the spray support the organization Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
3 fl oz ($30) janeiredale.com

Humic Hydration Mineral Skin Spritz by Hu Mineral
We benefit when our skin care is skin food. The trace minerals and fulvic acid-rich Hu Mineral spray provide a number of anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. This nourishing spray can be used on the entire body (even the hair) by people of all ages. 8 fl oz ($48.99) humnineral.com

Dawn Sorenson

Dawn Sorenson is an artist/writer, yin yoga instructor and healing advocate with a focus on our emotional bodies. Trained all over Asia and blends eastern/western modalities for a balanced approach of ancient and modern. Based in Santa Monica, she is a lover of life, people and all things transformational. www.rootandrisehealing.com

www.rootandrisehealing.com

The post Natural Skin Care: Recommendations for Moisturizers and Sprays appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

A commitment to meditation, education, and devotion delivered me to Rishikesh, India, the “City of the Divine” where I completed a 200-hour teacher training course. My activities in Northern India have revolved around yoga, wellness, holistic living, savory and sweet food around every turn, and chakra and ear cleanings offered on the winding paved road through Lakshman Jhula. I have experienced all of this amidst the traffic that includes animals, motorbikes, and pedestrians. Of all the choices of this magical land by the River Ganga, one day I saw a notice posted at the Ayurvedic cafe for the Jai Uttal concert on the river bank. I made sure to be at Parmarth Niketan Ashram on January 11, 2017 at 3 pm ready to bask in bliss.

The sun was low in the sky over the water, shining down on the band at an angle when the songs began. Even more dramatic lighting would soon make its decent into dusk ultimately revealing a gorgeous sunset backdrop. As the music played, our energies rose and our bodies began to sway, clap, and move with the beats. All of the musicians on stage as well as each of us in the audience on chairs and carpets were beaming. Among all the natural and man-made wonders of the Himalayan foothills, yoga shalas, and moving green river, people from around the world felt moved to celebrate the physical and spiritual, all radiating appreciation to be there with the exotic soulful sound of Jai Uttal’s talents.

One goal of the free kirtan concert in glorious Rishikesh was to film a music video for the song “Samba Sada Shiva” from Jai Uttal’s new album Roots Rock Rama! In order to celebrate kirtan artist Jai’s 50th year of singing in devotion and sharing it with the world, what better place than Rishikesh, a town built around devotion to Shiva—in the architecture, ashrams, traditions, and shops?

Read about the music video for “S.A.M.B.A (Shiva’s Adoration of Mata Bhavani’s Ambrosia). 

Combine this location with a live international audience of devotees brought together to dance, sing, and praise as well as master musicians Jai Uttal, Gaura Vani, and Visvambhar Sheth.

Arms raised in reverie, swaying side to side, we all celebrated the harmonizing layers of the notes put together to create rhythm with messages of joy. I was so happy to be there as a part of the whole production: from Jai’s decision to shoot the video in India, to the day of the performance, to the uniqueness of the song to Shiva on the edge of Ma Ganga, the Mother River. After this organic performance, the celebration continued into the evening as we were treated to more songs accompanied by sights of the goldenrod sky.

After the last guitar string stood still and the hands transitioned from clapping to the prayer gesture of Namaste, Pujya Swamiji, President and spiritual head of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram came on stage. This humanitarian, who has been living a pious life to serve others, wearing robes the colors of citrus and saffron, officially invited the seasoned singer Jai to make Rishikesh his home and gifted him a sapling — a gesture of gratitude and inspiration. Jai Uttal and Swamiji continued to speak about trees, using their voices as a call to loving action.

Read Shiva Baum’s review of Jai Uttal’s Roots, Rock, Rama! 

A portion of sales from the evening’s devotional musical will promote more roots being planted in India, the US, and other countries.

After this offering, another was made. A solid, brightly pastel pink lotus flower with a globe in the center was carried onstage and placed on a table front and center. Swamiji spoke of the current situations faced by our planet’s connected water sources. We listened in silence to hear how we could all contribute to efforts to maintain the cleanliness, purity, and availability of our streams, lakes, oceans, and shared water sources. Jai Uttal, Swamiji, and others assembled around the globe, backlit by the setting sun. Each person poured a bit of water over the globe into the large flower foundation, symbolizing the health and wellness of this precious resource. I found this offering to be a powerful image to witness after the music, prayer, and love.

To be in this city with rich layers of offerings for yogis, seekers, wanderers and communities that care, I am grateful to have happened upon the poster for an evening I will forever remember. I was honored to have received the music, sang for the kirtan music video, and heard the messages of altruism.

For more information about Parmarth Niketan, visit www.parmath.org

To order Jai’s album and join him on tour, visit jaiuttal.com

Photos by Dawn Sorenson

Dawn Sorenson

Dawn Sorenson is an artist/writer, yin yoga instructor and healing advocate with a focus on our emotional bodies. Trained all over Asia and blends eastern/western modalities for a balanced approach of ancient and modern. Based in Santa Monica, she is a lover of life, people and all things transformational. www.rootandrisehealing.com

www.rootandrisehealing.com

The post Singing by the Ganga with Jai Uttal in Rishikesh appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.