Rebecca Benenati is known for her ability to nurture her students and serve as a guide for practice and for life. She is a yoga teacher, mother, massage therapist, childbirth educator, doula, and former co-owner of City Yoga who now teaches at Rising Lotus, YogaWorks, and Earth Baby Boutique. In this weekend getaway, she will be facilitating an immersive experience to inspire students to nourish themselves and engage in restorative self-care. Practice yoga and meditation in an Ojai mountain sanctuary and enjoy meditation and the art of stilling the mind to relax and rejuvenate.

Retreat with Rebecca Benenati in Ojai

May 20-22

getgurud.com/event/retreat-with-rebecca-benenati-in-ojai/

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Retreat with Rebecca Benenati in Ojai appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Immerse yourself in the ancient wisdom of feminine healers during a week in Ojai.

Join a group of Siberian healers and shamans in an immersive weekend-long retreat exploring love and relationships, filled with mystical rituals, ancient wisdom, blessings, laughter, sensual dancing, and yoga for rejuvenation. Learn the ancient art of harmonious relations for business and personal life, methods to use feminine charm to attain goals, energy practices for relaxation, techniques to strengthen psychological defense mechanisms and how to reduce emotional stress. Embody divine feminine power, which is the energy of beauty, clarity, harmony, and love through the healing of the second chakra and the power of the divine feminine to unleash creative potential and discover hidden talents, charisma, and sensuality.

Sacred Feminine Retreat

May 13-15, Ojai

guidetojoy.com

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Sacred Feminine Retreat: Guide to Joy appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The Sanskrit word Shakti refers to the creative energy of the divine feminine. An annual event since 2009, these five days in the desert bring together noted global yoga teachers, workshop leaders, and sacred musicians all with a focus on uplifting energy and creating community. Practice with Mark Whitwell, Saul David Raye, Shiva Rea, Sara Ivanhoe, and Mas Vidal. Sing with Jai Uttal, Donna De Lory, Larisa Stowe and Shakti Tribe, and Govindas and Radha. Study with Jeffrey Armstrong, Michael Brian Baker, Zat Baraka, Syamarani, Mirabai Devi, Zoe Kors, and Dr. Lorin Roche. Camp out under the stars, feast on vegetarian food, meet new friends, dance, sing, and celebrate.

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Shakti Fest May 2016 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The festival for film lovers and filmmakers includes screenings, parties, panel discussions, workshops, and more. Check out premieres, docs, shorts, and features such as Maya Angelou and Still I Rise; Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru; Mantra- Sounds into Silence; A New High; The Connected Universe; Icaros: A Vision; Planting Seeds of Mindfulness; Pursuing Happiness; The Highest Pass; Vegan: Everyday Stories; The C Word, and “Teal” The Making of a Spiritual Teacher. Celebrate the inaugural Conscious Visionary award recipient Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith, and listen to the keynote by Chaz Ebert, wife of the late critic Robert Ebert and CEO of many Ebert companies.

Illuminate Film Festival

June 1-5

Sedona, Arizona

illuminatefilmfestival.com

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Illuminate Film Festival appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Hold On To Your Butt because the Surfrider Foundation West Los Angeles / Malibu Chapter just brought a new program to our town with plans to do a whole lotta butt kickin’!

Cigarette butts are made from a non-biodegradable plastic containing thousands of chemicals. It’s perplexing to imagine, but more than 4.5 trillion of these butts are littered annually worldwide. Once the butts are tossed, the chemicals they contain are released into the environment within seconds. A single cigarette butt may seem small, but with several trillion thrown on the ground every year, the toxic chemicals and plastic builds up.

Hold On To Your Butt is a new initiative developed to combat the littering of cigarette butts in Southern California. The group hosts a monthly beach cleanup. During those cleanups, volunteers discovered that cigarette butts are the most common form of litter collected; straws and polystyrene trash are not far behind.

Hold On To Your Butt has been granted support from Surfrider West LA / Malibu Chapter. The mission is to get these dirty butts off the streets and beaches, so they don’t pollute the community beaches we all love.

One of their goals is to install cigarette disposal ashcans along the coast from Marina Del Rey to Malibu and eventually inland. Members of the Hold On To Your Butt team will maintain the ashcans and collect the dirty butts. Dirty and discarded butts which will then be recycled through TerraCycle, a company dedicated to “eliminating the idea of waste” by recycling the un-recyclable.

Volunteers are always welcome. To join the monthly beach cleanup or learn more about what happens to the butts once they are recycled, e-mail hotyb@wlam.surfrider.org.

Additional Surfrider Foundation information can be found at https://wlam.surfrider.org.

Instagram: @Holdontoyourbutt_LA

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Hold on to Your Butt appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Festivals

BEYOND THE SHORE PADDLEFEST
October 4, Seaside Lagoon, Redondo Beach, CA
beyondtheshore.org

The South Bay is home to a community of stand up paddle board enthusiasts who also share their love of the ocean through daily practices and large events. This year, the Olympus Board Shop and Olympus SUP are partnering with the Kinecta Federal Credit Union and a long list of sponsors and supporters to raise awareness and funds for the ocean charities Surfrider South Bay, 5 Gyres & Marine Mammal Care Center through the third annual Beyond the Shore Paddlefest. Come to watch and share community or get in the water. Participate in the world’s largest Stand up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga class, race or cheer on competitors for elite, open, junior, distance, and sprint race events. On land, the event includes slack line and acro yoga demos and classes, healthy food booths, gift bags, entertainment, music, and more. Olympus SUP owner Jeremy Gogo Kiss and Michelle Gierst believe in the importance of conservation with the slogan, “To save ourselves we must first save that which lies beyond the shore.”

Hawaii Yoga Festival 2015

HAWAII YOGA FESTIVAL
November 10-15. Kalani, Hawaii
hawaiiyogafestival.com

Set your practice on fire at Hawaii Yoga Festival in Kalani, Hawaii. Explore the rejuvenating effects of this tropical paradise while submersing yourself into restorative asana, pranayama, meditation, ecstatic dance, evening concerts, water healing ceremonies, Hawaiian cultural presentations, kirtan, and wellness treatments. This five-day festival has an extensive schedule that is guaranteed to light your inner flame with more than 50 teachers that includes a captivating group of creative thought-leaders. Travel off the beaten path and hike to the active lava flow to watch the creation of new earth. Dive into an adventure of underwater marine life and witness the unique colorful world of coral. During down time, enjoy the centering energy of your breathtaking ocean villa.

HOW TO BALANCE HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN WOMEN’S LIVES  
Retreat with Siberian Shamans Ladamira and Lilelle
October 16-18. Topanga, California.
ladamira.com

Take a journey into the beautiful healing mountains of Topanga. During this all-women’s retreat, tap into your true feminine nature and explore how to use your unique energy to solve challenging situations. Take time to learn how to balance happiness and success with family, friends, career and everyday life occurrences. Develop your own intuition and self-confidence to create inner harmony which radiates beyond your physical space. Bond with others who are traveling the same path. Retreat activities include: practicing ancient temple dances, participating in rituals to free yourself from debt and awaken divine feminine energy and connect to the water element, practicing yoga to specifically enhance feminine passion and sensuality. As you make your way back home, you will feel greater happiness, lightness, and clarity.

Retreats

GRATITUDE YOGA RETREAT WITH CHER ASLOR AND KELLY SHROADS  
Todos Santos, Mexico
November 18 – 23, 2015 Prices start at $1110/person

kellyshroads.com/retreats/ ; pachamamamexico.com

Fitting for the Thanksgiving season, this entire retreat is dedicated to gratitude. Participants will spend five nights within a supportive community at the restorative accommodations of the Pachamama Mexico yoga retreat and boutique hotel on the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur. The retreat includes daily yoga, meditation, yoga nidra, positive affirmation, and gratitude practices, fresh and nourishing organic breakfasts, time for relaxation by the beach and pool, opportunities for adventures in Todos Santos and surrounding areas. Through this immersive experience, students will return home with tools to allow gratitude to be a more significant part of daily life.

Tiffany Palazzini is a recent adventurer to the West Coast from the East Coast. With a 200-hour yoga certification & submersion into Ayurveda studies, she has found Los Angeles to be the perfect landing spot. If she’s not paddle boarding, saving the ocean or planning her future travel, she’s compiling the next fun retreat & festival page just for you.

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Retreats and Festivals – October 2015 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Yoga Retreats

Sedona Soul Adventures

Personalized Retreat

Sedonasouladventures.com

Year-Round. Sedona, AZ

Sedona is known for its magical energy and mesmerizing beauty and is the perfect setting for personal spiritual or couples retreats. Sedona Soul Adventures specializes in custom designing personalized experiences, including sessions with master healers and practitioners. Individual retreats are planned by Soul Adventures’ Angel Guides who work directly with the retreat-goer to plan the time appropriately.  During couples retreats, guides help partners set intentions for an unforgettable getaway, visiting why your souls have merged, then clearing blocks from the chakra systems to support a higher state of consciousness. Nurturing massages and  inner journeys of breath and sound support the transformational journey. Return home with a stronger connection.

Life Source Retreats

Journey To The Heart: Finding Inner Peace

Lifesourceretreats.com

September 28 – October 3. Tulum, Mexico

Find inner peace and take a journey back to where it all comes from: your heart. Learn and experience Shakti Naam Yoga and HeartMath principles as tools to go deeper into love, happiness, and connection. Shakti Naam Yoga supports the ability of the body’s invisible soul force (responsible for health and growth) to increase and to open the heart to receive. This retreat will assist participants in finding a deeper connection with inner wisdom and guide you to achieve clarity of the mind, body, and soul. The all-inclusive experience includes accommodations, meals, daily yoga, fitness classes, sharing circles, evening activities, and excursions around the magical land of Tulum. Allow yourself to return back to center and powerfully reconnect as a whole. 

Yoga Festivals

Imagine, It’s Easy If You Try

Imaginefest2015.com

September 26 12 – 5 pm. Malibu

Imagine, It’s Easy If You Try Festival is a dreamy day of yoga, live music, art, and community for the whole family tribe. As you wander through The Meadow, take a moment to flow through a few sun salutations during the Mindful Yoga Class before you dance off like a gypsy to contemporary funk tunes and live DJ sets. Stroll through the village and cool off with a little kombucha, then head over to the Gypsy Camp for the ultimate bohemian experience of talented aerial yogis, dancers, and henna body painting. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Imagine Festival will directly benefit Unlikely Heroes; an LA-based nonprofit with a global reach committed to rescuing and rehabilitating girls and young women whom have been victimized by sex trafficking. 

Bhakti West

Bhaktifest.com

September 9-14. Joshua Tree
The open skies and peaceful desert of Joshua Tree Retreat Center host the heart-opening experience of Bhakti West. With deep roots in yoga, kirtan, and meditation, Bhakti Fest embraces ancient and modern sacred wisdom and spiritual practices. Attend an extensive variety of yoga classes throughout the day lead by world-class teachers such as Shiva Rea, Sianna Sherman, Kia Miller, Hemalayaa Behl, Tim Miller, and Mark Whitwell. Experience inspiring workshops with teachers including Dawn Cartwright, Jeffrey Armstrong and Lorin Roche. Then, sing and dance to the sacred music of kirtan played by artists like Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, Girish, Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band, Shantala, Larisa Stow, Trevor Hall, Sri Kirtan and late night beats by DJ Drez & Marti Nikko and MC Yogi.

Tiffany Palazzini is a recent adventurer to the West Coast from the East Coast. With a 200-hour yoga certification & submersion into Ayurveda studies, she has found Los Angeles to be the perfect landing spot. If she’s not paddle boarding, saving the ocean or planning her future travel, she’s compiling the next fun retreat & festival page just for you.

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Retreats and Festivals – September 2015 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Telluride Yoga Festival

tellurideyogafestival.com

July 9-12. Telluride, Colorado

This magical gathering features more than 40 teachers with yoga, meditation, music, hiking, dining, social events in eclectic and historic venues with stunning views of the majestic mountains surrounding the Telluride area. Tias Little, Monica, Mesa, Peter Sterios, Micheline Berry, Gina Caputo, AiReal Yoga founder Carmen Curtis, Surya Little, and Jason and Chelsey Magness of The YogaSlackers are a few of the presenters for the weekend.

Moksha Festival

MokshaFestival.com

July 11-12. Los Angeles

Connect your heart’s energy to the present moment with an urban festival celebrating the best of the traditional practices of yoga, Ayurveda, mantra, music, and holistic healing. Converge on the Downtown LA Convention Center for a magic weekend celebrating wellness, spiritual expansion and conscious living, with 40 workshops and performances. Enjoy sacred music, kirtan, yoga, Ayurveda, energy medicine, breath work, health and nutrition, spiritual film, and spirit dance with Sara Ivanhoe, Joan Hyman, Jeanne Heileman, Mark Whitwell, Dr. Lorin Roche, and Felicia Tomasko. Artists include Dave Stringer, Shimshai, Karnamrita Dasi, Masood Ali Khan, Art of Living Kirtan, and Sean Johnson and The Wild Lotus Band.

Wanderlust Squaw Valley

Wanderlust.com/festivals/squaw-valley

July 16-19. North Lake Tahoe

In Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe, Wanderlust offers a mind, body, and soul immersion for seasoned yogis, meditators, and new wanderers. Celebrate mindful living with yoga and meditation instructors, musicians, speakers, artists, and renowned chefs. Explore a new yoga class style, standup paddleboard, or aerial yoga. Be inspired by a diverse musical lineup that will have you jumping and then acoustic settings that will guide you straight into savasana/final relaxation. Learn at The Speakeasy, the festival’s lecture series on leading a mindful life. Be nourished by creative vendors in the Food Co-op or the Farm to Table Dinner.

Santa Fe Yoga Festival

Santafeyogafestival.org

?August 6-9. Santa Fe, NM

A total of 108 transformational yoga classes will be taught by over 35 world-class teachers such as Mark Whitwell, Robert Sturman, Celetia Loeffler, Josh Schrei, Monica Mesa and Linda Spackman. Enjoy daily meditations, adventurous hikes, and unbelievable musical acts including Michael Franti and Spearhead live at Fort Marcy Park. Dance to daily DJ-hosted pool parties, live music and kirtan by DJ Mental Physix, DJ Teddy No Name, The Chris Chickering Band, Boom Roots Collective, Lower Chakra, Native Spirits, Drumming Sounds, and Sitaram Dass. A percentage of all proceeds from the festival will benefit Anahata International, Santa Fe Animal Shelter, and Humane Society.

Bhakti Fest West

Bhaktifest.com

September 9-14. Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree Retreat Center’s expansive desert hosts the heart-opening experience of Bhakti Fest West. Bhakti Fest embraces ancient and modern sacred wisdom and spiritual practices. Attend yoga classes led by world-class teachers such as Shiva Rea, Sianna Sherman, Kia Miller, Joan Hyman, Tim Miller, and Mark Whitwell. Experience inspiring workshops with teachers including Dawn Cartwright, Jeffrey Armstrong, and Lorin Roche. Sing and dance to the sacred music of kirtan with artists including Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, Girish, and Sri Kirtan with late night beats by DJ Drez & Marti Nikko, and MC Yogi.

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Summer Festivals 2015 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

by Tiffany Palazzini

OC Yoga Fest

June 21. Irvine

Summer Solstice is also the International Day of Yoga. Spend the day with family and friends in the name of Yoga for Harmony and Peace. Dance and chant to live kirtan music and enjoy a variety of good food and yoga for all ages and levels including kids’ activities. Information booths with conscious living companies and organizations will provide education on healthy green lifestyle. Teachers include keynote speaker Phil Goldberg as well as Kelly Sparks and Ram Bhakt. Participants include Long Beach School of Yoga, Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, and New Braj. The celebration will take place at the Mike Ward Community Park with free parking and $5 suggested donation.

OCYogaFest.org

Telluride Yoga Festival

July 9-12. Telluride, Colorado.

The stunning setting of Telluride, Colorado offers gorgeous settings for their eighth annual four-day Telluride Yoga Festival, which brings together more than 600 enthusiastic participants. Begin a balanced day with morning meditation followed by over 100 events to choose from at 11 spectacular venues. This year offers the most extensive schedule yet, covering a wide range of styles and levels with over 40 instructors, philosophers, musicians, healers, and nutrition and lifestyle coaches. Teachers include Sianna Sherman, Christina Sell, Tias Little, Gina Caputo, Micheline Berry, and Peter Sterios. Enjoy local music, SUP (stand up paddleboard) yoga at Alta Lakes, a farm to table dinner, and conversations at cocktail receptions with presenters. While you’re in town, make sure to hike Telluride’s Via Ferrata to capture the amazing views of Bridal Veil Falls and the Telluride Valley.

TellurideYogaFestival.com

Moksha Festival

July 11-12. Los Angeles, California

Connect your heart’s energy to the present moment with an urban festival celebrating the best of the traditional practices of yoga, Ayurveda, mantra, music, and holistic healing that are shared in Los Angeles. Converge on the Downtown LA Convention Center for an event that promises to create magic with a celebration of wellness, spiritual expansion and conscious living. The weekend offers more than 40 workshops and performances including sacred music and kirtan, yoga, Ayurveda, energy medicine, breath work, health and nutrition, sacred music, spiritual film and spirit dance. The stellar line-up of instructors includes Sara Ivanhoe, Joan Hyman, Jeanne Heileman, Mark Whitwell, Dr. Lorin Roche, Felicia Tomasko. Dance the weekend away to artists including Dave Stringer, Sean Johnson and The Wild Lotus Band, Shimshai, Karnamrita Dasi, Masood Ali Khan, and Art of Living Kirtan.

MokshaFestival.com

Wanderlust Squaw Valley

July 16-19. North Lake Tahoe

In the energy of Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, Wanderlust offers an experience for the mind, body, and soul, nurturing you with new friends and discoveries in a weekend for seasoned yogis, meditators, and new wanderers. Celebrate mindful living with yoga and meditation instructors, musicians, speakers, artists, and renowned chefs. Explore a new class style, stand up paddle board or aerial yoga. Be inspired by a diverse musical lineup that will have you jumping, or acoustic settings that will guide straight into savasana/final relaxation. Travel into a world of learning at The Speakeasy, the festival’s lecture series on leading a mindful life. Be nourished by creative vendors in the Food Co-op or the Farm to Table Dinner.

Wanderlust.com/festivals/squaw-valley

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Festivals Summer 2015 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Running shoes – check. Yoga mat – check. Sunscreen, reusable water bottle, and bike lock – check, check. I quickly scanned this small list through my mind as I hopped on my beach cruiser and began pedaling toward the ocean. Nothing else mattered at this point because I was ready to spend my day at the most talked about event of the weekend: Wanderlust 108. For those who may not know exactly what this is, Wanderlust 108 is a “mindful triathlon” that includes a 90 minute outdoor yoga sesh, 5K beach run, and a guided meditation.

As I approached the Santa Monica Pier, slowly cruising the winding bike path along the beach, I began to see from a distance what all the hype was about. The colorful deck was full of yogis and runner enthusiasts. Local food and craft vendors lined up side by side. Participants collected their swag. Others fueled before the race.

I made my way to the front of the stage to find the perfect spot to lay down my Manduka mat with its matching towel to begin the first segment of my triathlon. I was so excited about this: Outside in California weather with background beats by DJ Drez and yoga lead by MC Yogi and Tiffany Cruikshank/Yoga Medicine…who wouldn’t be!

DJ Drez and MC Yogi sure did know how to get this yoga party started with a lot of giggles, smiles, and groovin’ to the music. Before yoga began, MC Yogi walked out on stage with his fun, unique, hip hop flare making a welcoming statement that resonated with me, “Yoga is Medicine. It heals ourselves and our community.” He couldn’t have been more right about that. Just looking around at all the smiling faces was enough for confirmation.

After I danced my butt off (with yoga in between), there was a small break before the 5K beach run. I decided to take a journey around the deck to visit all the vendors, get my flash tat from the Athleta booth, and snag a few yoga photos under the “Wanderlust 108” archway. Then we made our way out to the beach for the run.
 
I planted my feet in the California sand ready to take on this 5K. As I looked around, there were seasoned athletes mixed with others that just wanted to have fun in the sun. But it was easy to see the common denominator that threaded us all together…we were all here on a journey to find our true north.
 
In the final leg of the triathlon, I grounded myself in meditation reminiscing in the afterglow of the sun-kissed day. I realized it was symbolic of what we all live for. An endeavor that lead us towards a more mindful and meaningful life while meeting others along the way to share the memories with…that is Wanderlust.

by Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post Wanderlust 108 – the world’s first “mindful triathlon” appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Compiled by Tiffany Palazzini

Casa Verde Raw Yoga Hiking Retreat, Ecuador

CASA VERDE RAW YOGA HIKING RETREAT

CASA VERDE, ECUADOR. ONGOING RETREATS

WENDYGREENYOGA.COM

Travel to a personalized seven-night retreat to heal with Ashtanga Yoga, delicious daily raw vegan cuisines, and fresh herbal teas. Casa Verde Raw Yoga Hiking Retreat is an exclusive forest lodge retreat where people of all levels of practice are welcome. Receive one-on-one yoga instructions for six mornings during your stay. Be introduced to spectacular daily hiking, enchanting waterfalls and charming accommodations in the Andes of Ecuador. Intertwine river tubing, canopy zip-line and butterfly and orchid farms into your day. Wind down with evening discussions on a variety of topics ranging from yoga, to nutrition and green living.

Chakana, Peru, May 8-17, 2015

CHAKANA

10 DAY SHAMANIC RETREAT IN PERU

PISAC, PERU. MAY 8-17 AND ONGOING

RETREATGURU.COM

Follow a path of inner transformation, self-love, and compassion to the majestic mountains of Pisac, Peru. Spend 10 days at the Paz y Luz doing yoga, painting, meditating, horseback riding, dancing, and enjoying art therapy. Attend Huachuma ceremonies and cacao sessions and experience deep exploration of internal and external processes of letting go of the past and realigning with self-love. Explore the powerful and sacred Inca sites including Sacsayhuaman, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon and Tipon. Be part of the group evening hikes to a pristine lake surrounded by the breathtaking, magical mountains.

Mahasukha’s 5th Annual Resting Retreat: Liberating Wisdom, Montecito, May 29-31, 2015

MAHASUKHA’S 5TH ANNUAL RESTING RETREAT: LIBERATING WISDOM.

LA CASA DE MARIA, MONTECITO. MAY 29–31.

MAHASUKHA.ORG

Explore an inner journey during a peaceful weekend retreat at a location gently nestled between mountain and sea, just south of Santa Barbara. The 5th Annual Resting Retreat: Liberating Wisdom, will be led by Mira Kingsley, Lauren Benjamin, and Claire Thompson from the Mahasukha Center. They have created a compassionate atmosphere to support the freedom to discover inner wisdom and happiness. Silent reflection and mindful discussions will help participants develop pathways to reveal our true nature. Enjoy daily yoga, meditation, philosophy, freshly prepared vegetarian meals, and the beautiful surroundings of La Casa de Maria. Be sure to breathe in the view from the gorgeous outdoor gardens. Return home rested, renewed, connected to your soul and living your daily life with a deeper purpose.

SATYA RETREATS

YOSEMITE. OCTOBER 8-11.

SATYARETREATS.COM

Reset during a long weekend of yoga and nature in one of the most breathtaking National Parks in the world, Yosemite. This fall retreat is the perfect time to wring out toxins and reground after a long summer. Settle in, relax and restore at a beautiful lodge just outside the park that includes a heated outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and game room, or find a quiet place for reading and meditating. Laurie Eagle will lead yoga twice daily to help you quickly recharge and center. Be sure to travel up the road to take advantage of the tranquil surroundings of Camp Mather Meadow.

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post 2015 Spring Retreats appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Compiled by Tiffany Palazzini

Joshua Tree Music Festival, May 14-17, 2015

JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL

JOSHUA TREE. MAY 14-17

JOSHUATREEMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

Music is the soul of life and at the Joshua Tree Music Festival artists from around the world will grace the stages for four days including: The Polish Ambassador from Nevada City, The Last Internationale from New York, Blue King Brown from Australia, Driscoll & Kouyate from UK/West Africa, Airtist from Vienna/Budapest and DJPT from Joshua Tree. The festival also features surprise talented artists, vendors, painters, sculptors, and recycled installations. This global music experience is family-friendly; take the kids to Kidsville for yoga, face painting, creation station and more.

Shakti Fest, May 15-17, 2015

SHAKTI FEST

JOSHUA TREE. MAY 15-17

BHAKTIFEST.COM

The open skies and peaceful desert of Joshua Tree Retreat Center host the heart-opening experience of Shakti Fest. With deep roots in yoga, kirtan and meditation, the sister festival to Bhakti Fest embraces ancient and modern sacred wisdom and spiritual practices. Attend an extensive variety of yoga classes throughout the day lead by world-class teachers such as Shiva Rea, Sara Ivanhoe, Kia Miller, Yogi Cameron, Bizzie Gold, and Mark Whitwell. Experience inspiring workshops with teachers including Dr. Lorin Roche and Dr. Siva Mohan. Sing and dance to the sacred music of kirtan played by artists like Donna De Lory, Jai Uttal, Girish, Krishna’s Kirtan, Larisa Stow, and late night beats by DJ Drez and Marti Nikko. Drink chef Tom’s hand-crafted chai to support charities.

Lightning in a Bottle, May 21-25, 2015

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE

BRADLEY. MAY 21-25

LIGHTNINGINABOTTLE.ORG

The Do Lab brings together artists and visual art installations, environmental workshop leaders, dance, yoga, movement, consciousness, and more for this weekend festival event. Camp out under the stars with visionaries, master teachers, healers, and musicians. Dance to performers Flume, Sbtrkt, Odesza, The Lucent Dossier Experience, Thomas Jack and Tycho. The Lucent Temple of Consciousness covers topics such as yogic practice, permaculture, sustainability and transformation; The Learning Kitchen offers workshops to feed and nourish your body with hands-on nutrition classes. Don’t miss the blacklight odyssey of Gloga Yoga and indulge at the Healing Sanctuary’s bodywork. Reflect and reconnect at The Meditation Nest.

ILLUMINATE FILM FEST

SEDONA. MAY 27-31

ILLUMINATEFILMFESTIVAL.COM

Get ready for a “mind-body-spirit cinema” experience. Illuminate Film Festival is the world’s premiere festival for conscious cinema that will uplift, inspire and transform your thoughts and way of life. This exciting social event includes healing workshops and talented musicians. Feel your world change as you are enlightened by four days of 22 inspirational, thought-provoking films. The weekend opens with SOLD, produced by Emma Thompson, then followed by a benefit concert to support Integrative Restoration Institute’s (IRI) Human Trafficking Relief Program. Film highlights include: The Prophet, Landfill Harmonic, Dying to Know, iGod, Plant Pure Nation, and Forks Over Knives. Don’t miss the closing night film, The Pilgrim: Paulo Coehlo’s Best Story, about one of the world’s most prolific and best-selling authors.

Tiffany Palazzini

Tiffany Palazzini is on the Surfrider Executive Committee team as an earth lover & tree hugger recycling one butt at a time.

The post May 2015 Festivals appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.