COMMUNITY // FESTIVALS + RETREATS
By Natalie Macamget out and practice
Written by Natalie Macam a Yoga Teacher who teaches locally at Malibu Beach Yoga:nataliemacam.com- Bhakti Fest
Joshua Tree
September 12–17
bhaktifest.com
Bhakti Fest is a unique festival
that delivers celebratory kirtan
music and Bhakti Yoga to the
masses in the oldest, largest retreat
center in the Western US. In the
magic high desert of Joshua Tree
California, Bhakti Fest hosts the
Who’s Who of the global kirtan
and conscious music community
including Jai Uttal, Krishna Das,
Donna DeLory, MC Yogi and the
Mayapuris.
For the 10th Anniversary,
the festival welcomes special
guest speaker Deepak Chopra.
Attendees can take classes from
world-class yoga teachers such as
Sri Dharma Mittra, Janet Stone,
Shiva Rea, and Saul David Raye.
Festival-goers can also experience
a myriad of different conscious
workshops facilitated by leaders
in the field of personal growth.
The 420-acre retreat center
provides camping space for up to
5,000 people, or choose glamping,
dorms, shared accommodations,
or local hotels and houses. Other
highlights include onsite pool with
classes, Sound Bath Dome, Heal-
ing Sanctuary, and a Vendor Vil-
lage with extraordinary vegetarian
and vegan food.- Healing Family Lineage
Mount Shasta
Sept 20-23
dianasuemi.com
Work with the energy of nature
in Mount Shasta with Siberian
Shaman Diana Suemi. This im-
mersive experience works with the
energy of Fall Equinox, which is a
magical time to open up to the flow
of creativity and abundance in life.
Retreat leader Diana Suemi is an
international women’s coach and
consultant who is the author of a
methodology focused on creat-
ing a mandala of a successful life.
She is a presenter at international
festivals and conferences focusing
on the topics of women’s health
and personal development. Her
specialty is to support women with
addressing health issues, helping
to create harmony in relationships,
develop talents, and maximize use
of personal resources.
This retreat aims to accelerate
positive changes to your journey, to
improve your health (especially that
of the thyroid), and to open up cre-
ativity, self-expression, individual-
ity, and passion. The ultimate aim
is to connect to the true self.
Spend four days on 10 acres of
land with two firepits for rituals
where you will unite with nature
and connect with like-minded
people. Camping is available.- Vegan Yoga Retreat
Sayulita, Mexico
October 20–27
vegnews.com/yogaretreat
The 2018 VegNews Vegan Yoga
Retreat will be held at the stunning
Haramara eco-resort in the quaint
beach town of Sayulita, Mexico.
It is hosted by VegNews Publish-
er Colleen Holland and renowned
vegan yoga instructor Jasmine
Tarkeshi of Laughing Lotus.
Take a break from everyday
life, eat healthy food, deepen your
yoga practice, and meet like-
minded people from around the
world—all while unwinding in a
gorgeous, lush setting overlooking
the Pacific Ocean.
Enjoy daily yoga classes in
open-air palapas at this luxurious
boutique eco-resort that boasts
spectacular views. Spend afternoons
surfing, snorkeling, whale watching,
hiking, or exploring local shops.
Soak in an infinity pool with a mar-
garita, get a massage or facial at the
oceanfront spa, or sit on the beach
and sip homemade aguas frescas.
Of course, this retreat features
incredible organic vegan cuisine,
including Mexican brunch with
local specialities as well as an
opportunity for a vegan cooking
class with the resort chef. Whatever
you do, you will feel nourished by
the breathtaking surroundings, deli-
cious food, and overall experience.- Wanderlust Wellspring
Palm Springs, CA
Oct 26–28
wanderlust.com/wellspring
From Wanderlust, known for
unique festival experiences,
Wellspring is a first-of-its-kind
wellness gathering of the world’s
leading innovators, teachers, and
socially-conscious companies. For
three days, escape to Palm Springs
to discover the ideas and practices
in three aspects of our relationships
with ourselves, with others, and
the world at large in areas of per-
sonal, social, and global wellness.
These three interconnected
topics are focused on personal and
planetary wellness. From invigorat-
ing workouts and hands-on treat-
ments to inspirational, actionable
workshops, Wellspring connects
us to a common goal: fostering
healthy individuals, a healthy
society, and a healthy planet.
Practice with leaders in yoga
and meditation; sweat with top in-
structors in spinning, barre, HIIT,
and more; and learn from leading
experts in nutrition, functional
medicine, aging, and sleep. For
relaxation, soak up one of many
treatments, including Ayurveda,
essential oils, and bodywork. Ex-
plore innovative ideas addressing
some of the biggest challenges of
our time, from sustainability and
social change to global health and
conscious capitalism.ANDRÉ ARAIZ