COMMUNITY // RETREATS & FESTIVALS
By Natalie Macamget out and practice
Written by Natalie Macam a Yoga Teacher who teaches locally at Malibu Beach Yoga: tigerwaveyoga.com- Indian Film Festival
of Los Angeles
April 11–
indianfilmfestival.org
The 16th annual Indian Film
Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is a
showcase of groundbreaking Indian
cinema.
This year’s festival features
four world premieres, three North
American premieres, two US
premieres, and 14 LA premieres.
The lineup represents an impressive
12 languages and a strong list of
first and second-time filmmakers,
including 11 female filmmakers.
IFFLA will also hold a memorial
tribute to the late, beloved
Bollywood actress Sridevi. IFFLA
will screen a 2K print of Sridevi’s
1989 hit Chandni, courtesy of Yash
Raj Films.
One highlight is the US premiere
of IFFLA alum Hansal Mehta’s
2017 Toronto Film Festival
selection Omerta with rising Indian
star Rajkummar Rao as notorious
real-life terrorist Ahmed Omar
Saeed Sheikh. Another is The
Ashram, directed by Ben Rekhi and
starring Sam Keeley, Melissa Leo,
and Kal Penn. Rekhi brings together
this star-studded cast for a story of
mystical intrigue in the Himalayas.
IFFLA offers Los Angeles a
unique opportunity to learn about
India’s multifaceted culture and
long history of filmmaking.- Shakti Fest
Joshua Tree
May 11-
shaktifest.bhaktifest.com
This annual celebration of the
Divine Feminine is a drug-and-
alcohol-free gathering at Joshua
Tree Retreat Center. The practices
include kirtan (call-and-response
chanting) and other sacred music,
yoga, workshops, meditation,
vegetarian food, and community.
Attendees can camp, glam-camp,
stay in cabins or dorms onsite at
the historic Joshua Tree Retreat
Center, or find local accommoda-
tions. This family-friendly festival
offers programming and opportu-
nities for kids.
Musicians at Shakti Fest include
Jai Uttal, Donna De Lory, Prajna
Vieira, Larisa Stow, Girish, Govind
Das & Radha, and Gina Sala.
World-class yoga teachers include
Shiva Rea, Mark Whitwell, MC
Yogi, Mas Vidal, Kia Miller, Jaya
Lakshmi and Ananda, Hemalayaa
Behl, Kristin Olson, and Brian
Campbell. Workshop leaders
include Dawn Cartwright, Jeffrey
Armstrong, Manoj Chalam, and
Sam Geppi. The Sound Dome
Presenters offer vocal meditations,
gong immersions, and sacred
soundscapes.
Shakti Fest is part of the
nonprofit Center for Spiritual
Studies, which supports charities
across the world.- Lightning in a Bottle,
Bradley
May 23-
lightninginabottle.org
Lightning in a Bottle (LIB)
features opportunities to dance
all day into and throughout the
night at a variety of stages with
numerous noteworthy artists and
DJs in the dance and other music
scenes. But LIB is not just about
the dance. Educational sessions,
talks and discussions, workshops,
wellness and healing, environmen-
tal initiatives, guided meditations,
yoga and movement classes are all
on offer. Walk through art instal-
lations and watch painters create
innovative canvases onsite.
Also available are cultural
offerings to connect with global
cultures and ancient practices,
as well as classes and workshops
in a variety of both ancient
and modern food preparation
traditions. There is something for
everyone at this gathering on a
beautiful lakeside venue nestled
in hills of Monterey County. All
ages are welcome with family
camping, Kidz Zone activities and
Teen Scene workshops with the
younger generation in mind. The
ethos of LIB is focused on sustain-
ability both in their relationship
with the land and in the teachings
offered at workshops.- Meditation Retreat,
Joshua Tree
June 14-
effortlessglow.com
Learn traditional Vedic techniques
of meditation in the unique high
desert beauty of Joshua Tree.
Surround yourself with beautiful
scenery while being supported by
a lovely community of meditators
and experienced teachers.
Three teachers will lead the
retreat. Effortless Glow founder
and independent Vedic Meditation
teacher Vi Rucks, independent
Vedic Meditation teacher Christian
Bevacqua who works with
individuals to sustain balance and
achieve success in all areas of their
personal and professional lives, and
Peter Spoerri who trained in the
Himalayas in Northern India under
the guidance of Thom Knoles.
Gentle yoga and pranayama
classes multiply the depth of your
practice. New meditators will have
four personalized sessions to learn
how to meditate in an easy and
effortless way, and experienced
meditators will have personalize
instruction to adjust techniques.
The accommodations are a
sanctuary from the heart, mind,
and spirit with acres of land
to walk through meditation
labyrinths, cactus gardens, or
gaze at the stars. Here you will be
immersed in nature and nourish
your inner potential.