Tips for Festival Survival
Spring has fully sprung and with it, the Festival Season. First on the list is Shakti Fest, held in Joshua Tree. The days and nights of May will be filled with yoga classes, spiritual lectures, organic vegetarian food and singing and dancing to the call-and-response sacred music of kirtan under the stars.
Shakti Fest is not to be missed, as it reminds us why we come together, why we practice, and that yoga and chanting make us feel whole.
As much of a high as one gets from being a festival-goer, if you just “go, go, go,” inevitably you will crash. The weekend is meant to nourish and recharge you and I’m offering a few tips to keep you balanced along the way.
Taking a few moments to sketch out a basic plan for the weekend won’t take away from the spontaneity or playfulness, and will ensure sustainability. Instead of feeling you “need a vacation from your vacation” when you return to civilization, you will feel full of vitality and ready for the week.
SHAKTI: A 6-Step Plan for Festival Survival
1. Protect Yourself in the Sun
S-unscreen. This is no joke. Even if you have dark skin, if you have a base tan, or if you think you will only be walking from your car to the yoga hall, you MUST wear sunscreen. Getting burned is not your only worry; be concerned about what the sun will do to you in 20 years. The best sun block of course, is a hat and shirt. In addition, take the extra 30 seconds to slap some natural sunscreen on your face. I recommend Eminence Organics Sunblock, or the Alba Botanica line of sunscreens.
2. Stay Hydrated for Festival Survival
H-ydrate. It’s not just the heat that will get you, it’s the dryness of the air that contributes to dehydration. Singing is a notorious dehydrator, not to mention dancing in the sun and taking three yoga classes daily. Consume at least ten glasses of water a day, (free refills for your reusable water bottle are available at the water station) and throw in some coconut water to replenish your electrolytes. My favorite is Harmless Harvest (try the pink ones).
3. Abhyanga and Ayurveda
A-yurvedic Oil. There is no amount of moisturizer that is going to penetrate the skin. Try “Abhyanga.” Slather herbal- infused Ayurvedic oil onto your body from head to toe, even in your hair. Allow this to soak in for at least five and up to ten minutes. Get into a hot steamy shower even though it is hot outside. The hot water will open your pores and allow your skin to drink in the medicated oil, hydrating your skin on a level you wouldn’t imagine possible.
Dry skin is not only uncomfortable, it is actually unhealthy. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and like anything else, it needs to be nourished and brought into balance. Depending on your dosha, there are different oils available. While in Joshua Tree, most of us may experience an imbalance of the energies of the airy/dry vata and the hot fiery pitta. Try Banyan Botanicals Ayurvedic Massage Oils for the vata or pitta doshas.
4. Be Kind and Snack often for Festival Survival
K-IND Bar. You need to carry snacks. Because of the intense heat, you will think you’re not hungry. Heat and dry air are classic appetite suppressants, but when you least expect it, you will be seized by uncontrollable hunger. You don’t want to wait until you get to the food court and risk having to stand in a long line. When you feel hungry, you need something NOW. The most natural, unprocessed and nutrient rich bar is a KIND bar. Even the most discriminating eaters are gobbling them up. Try the Almond Cashew with Flax and Omega 3. This is an effective snack full of the essential fats and oils that are especially vital for desert survival. Not only will this bar satiate your erratic hunger, but it will moisten your organs from the inside out. Keep some handy in your bag to share with fellow students after a yoga class.
5. Stay Well: Take Turmeric
T-urmeric. One of the biggest complaints I hear during festival season is about people getting sick. Common colds spread via human contact and are tough to avoid when you’re partying with thousands of people. People always ask me why I’ve only had one cold in the last seven years. The answer is simple: TURMERIC. Turmeric is related to ginger, and like ginger, the root is used; it can be consumed raw, powdered, capsules, or liquid. Try Turmeric Alive drink, possibly the easiest and most refreshing way to get it down. This stuff will work. Keep the turmeric flowing and you can give away free hugs all weekend!
6. Take Time inside for Festival Survival
I-nside. You will experience sensory overload. It just happens. Don’t panic, don’t get cranky, just go INSIDE. Go to a place that is dark and cool. On Saturday afternoon, I am teaching a Yoga Nidra class just for this reason: to provide a place where people can close their eyes and be still. Consider Yoga Nidra a much-needed “Disco Nap” for a yoga festival.
Whether taking a Disco Nap/Yoga Nidra, going to a lecture in the Sanctuary, or popping back to your hotel room for a few hours, get yourself inside to take a break from the intense light, heat, sounds, and smells. Take a siesta, do a meditation, or a Yoga Nidra practice that does not involve chanting, moving, or talking to others. Simply go inside and be quiet. If you can tear yourself away from the seductions of the festival for a few short hours, you will give yourself time to recharge. Taking this time will give you the energy and vitality that you need in order to spend a glorious evening dancing and singing under the stars.
Go to Shakti Fest 2019
Shakti Fest 2019 is May 9-13 will pre- and post-festival intensives on May 10 and 14. For more information or to buy tickets, visit: http://shaktifest.bhaktifest.com/
