COMMUNITY // FESTIVALS
By Natalie Macamget out and celebrate
Written by Natalie Macam a Yoga Teacher who teaches locally at Malibu Beach Yoga: tigerwaveyoga.com- Shakti Fest
Joshua Tree
May 11-13
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, Gov-
ind 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 non-
profit Center for Spiritual Studies,
which supports charities across
the world.- Lightning in a Bottle
Bradley
May 23-28
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, environmental initia-
tives, guided meditations, yoga and
movement classes are all on offer.
Walk through art installations 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 sustainability
both in their relationship with the
land and in the teachings offered
at workshops.- Mammoth Yoga Festival
Mammoth Lakes
June 14-17
mammothyogafestival.com
Mammoth Lakes is located 8,000
feet above sea level and is home
to an incredible number of crystal
clear mountain lakes. The First
Annual Mammoth Yoga Festival
provides the opportunity to prac-
tice yoga and enjoy other activities
in one of the world’s most iconic
and scenic places, from a lakeside
lodge to 360 degree views atop
the mountains.
Seasoned world-class presenters
include Annie Carpenter, Calvin
Corzine, Rina Jakubowicz, Travis
Eliot, Laura Burkhart, and Maria
Garre. The Yoga Market located
in Mammoth Village will be free
and open to the public. There you
can enjoy classes, live music, food,
drinks, special events, and more.
Practice yoga in gorgeous wilder-
ness locations as well as classrooms
at or within close proximity to the
Village Yoga Market.
Just steps away from the Pacific
Crest Trail, Mammoth Lakes pro-
vides endless opportunities to find
solitude and to connect with nature
and community.- Wanderlust
Squaw Valley
July 19-22
wanderlust.com/festivals
Wanderlust Squaw Valley is a
highlight of our summer festival
season. Spread across six peaks
and 4,000 acres, Squaw Valley
Alpine Meadows summits at over
9,000 feet. The experience is much
more than world class yoga teach-
ers such as Elena Brower, Eoin
Finn, Kyle Cease, Schuyler Grant,
and Shiva Rea. Highlights include:
Free Hugs Project, Wanderlust
House Band, Amplified Yoga, Es-
sential Oil Workshops, SUP Yoga,
and more. Participants choose
their own adventure with multi-
level yoga and meditation sessions,
organic local and sustainable
foods, live music and DJs, inspir-
ing lectures and workshops, pool
parties, and boundary-pushing
outdoor activities.
The festival has an air of open-
ness; different activities lead you
to different places, new people,
and alternative journeys where
there is creativity and surprise
around every corner. But most of
all, Wanderlust is a place where
people can come together with
shared values and beliefs and
have fun in nature - whether it’s a
mid-mountain meditation, a pool
party at 8,200 feet, or a late-night
concert under the stars.