Santosa Summer Camp: Living in the Land of Yoga

Morning meetings were well attended

Simplicity, purity, sharing and devotion: Santosa Yoga Camp unfolded as a sattvic finale to the festival year. Living in the land of yoga in the beautiful vale of Avalon as summer concluded.

I had selected low key events this season; basing my choices on gate protocols.

No more wristbands, walkie-talkies or security guards. I needed to be greeted with a hug, by gentle people who knew my name. Hedgerows not fences: I needed to feel LOVE.

I had been offered a teaching ticket and decided to share an Inner Yoga; an introspective journey using mantra, mudra, pranayama and restorative poses enabling practitioners to experience and work with the subtle energy body.

Juice o'clock!

As the event approached, the weather was mixed, but I would be safe and dry in my caravan or a short sprint from home if things got heavy.

I had just landed back in town from New Holistic Camp and was keen to stay in the flow of camp life, living outside, simply, creating community in nature.

Most days I awoke at first light and was vivified by sunrise and birdsong. An obligingly unused yurt was an ideal space for asana self-practice.


Then I would bathe under a cool, clear spring in the adjacent field and join fellow devotees to sing bhajans - all before breakfast.

Being late August there was plenty of foraging to be done in the local lanes. I located elderberry, blackberry and some stunning wild mint.

I made a couple of visits to the nearby lido at Shepton Mallet, courtesy of a bicycle loan from a generous crew member (Fluorescent green pedals! Thanks George!). The simple sauna, constructed in a bender with a woodburning stove inside was a daily requirement. I really felt that I was purifying and cleansing on all levels of being.

Tanya and John were sorted for sprout

The law of attraction meant that I was serendipidously sited next to a trusted festival friend Annette. I made some great new connnections too.

The raw of attraction was in operation: my other neighbours were Ian and Aradhana of Positive Living Bath, we share mutual friends and a passion for living foods and juicing. They are both yoga practioners and really easy to be around.

Aradhana was holding raw treat workshops and was carrying some impressive technology, including a Swiss hand blender.  I persuaded them by demonstration to upgrade their Easy Health manual juicer to the mighty Z Star which I use in my caravan.

Across the field, were another raw couple who were living foods enthusiasts, so much so that their caravan annex was a de facto growing room with stacking shelves and a mini shop.

Tanya started chatting when she noticed my trays of sprouts (barley grass, baby sunflower greens and snow pea shoots). She explained that her partner John had converted to the living foods lifestyle in response to a serious health condition and had visited the Hippocrates Institute in Florida to educate himself and ultimately others.

They were friendly, passionate and committed and it was great to discuss the finer details of juicing and sprouting and we will stay in touch. John is growing some enticing sounding fruit at their home in Gloucestershire, such as goji berries and honey berries. With three acres of land they are living the dream!

Detail from the Bhakti space

I was thrilled to meet Lucy Crisfield and Alex Honeymann, both musicians, a divine couple whom I knew of by reputation. They travel widely and present their very different material together, it really works.

Alexander is a singer songwriter who presented personalised versions of classic bhajans as well as his own material, which really speaks of the healing and ascension of humanity at this time.

Lucy offers the classic form; she has studied Vedic chanting in India and texts from other spiritual traditions. She gave a truly commanding rendition of Sri Rudraprasana, invoking Lord Shiva by reciting his many names.

Bhajelo ji hanumann!

Bharati and Dinesh are another divine couple, experienced, mature and compassionate musicians who for me epitomise the spirit bhakti, the yoga of devotion.

They were tireless! Evening kirtan followed on from afternoon devotional chanting and they showed up for morning bhajans too.

I would gladly attend any future event they are part of as I truly respect their work and am inspired by their attitude and pure presence.

In an auspicious moment, Bharati and Dinesh  initiated me in chanting the Hanuman Chalisa: a beautiful prayer to the monkey faced deity. Accompanied by the vibrating tones of the harmonium, we read from tiny books from Indian written in Sanskrit and transliterated into English.

Joined by yoga empress and all round goddess Uma Dinsmore-Tully who birthed the Santosa Camps, I knew myself to be profoundly blessed and was grateful to be receiving in this way.

Boys will be boys

Other magic moments included sharing lentil soup in the pouring rain around a camp fire, courtesy of the beautiful, vibrant Sultan.

Witnessing a spear chucking contest, a small tribe of boys armed, rewilded and empowered thanks to Ben, who was putting an end to his children being teased for attending yoga camp This year they're going home with weapons, he declared firmly. 




Join us in 2012! www.sitaram.org/sitaram/santosa-yoga-camp

Aradhana, Ian and friends www.positivelivingbath.co.uk

Bhakti bliss assured www.bharatidinesh.co.uk

Great inspiration www.lucycrisfield.com

New Holistic Camp: Seeding a New Reality

The Flaxley site is large and spacious

We arrived late Saturday afternoon. Crossing the river Severn added excitement, leaving one realm for another, a good metaphor for camp. Everyday life is suspended in lieu of entering a world of magic and adventure. A temporary Utopia with participants actualizing a shared dream.

The UK summer is just right for this: between May and September our countryside is pervaded by a mystical magical quality that Shakespeare understood and was muse to his tale of love and play: A Midsummer Night's Dream.

There is an aliveness of hedgerow and forest, an almost tangible presence of spirit beings, tree folk and fairies. Long, light evenings are an invitation to play outside and share space and ceremony. Our beloved islands are cold, wet, chilly and dark for much of the year and we know instinctively to make the most of our time with the sun.

Woodcraft tuition

There is a  wide choice of camps and gatherings in the UK, reflecting the strength and diversity of the sub-cultures within the green and alternative movements.

It means we can hone in and attune to our individual vision.Last weekend for we might equally have attended Croissant Neuf,  Healing Field Gathering, Rainbow 2000, Rainbow Circle, Dartmoor Music Camp and  more besides. 


I would usually be at Healing Field Gathering, local to Glastonbury and full of familiar faces and good friends. This year I was travelling further afield. A fresh landscape, the beautiful and mystical Forest of Dean.

Workshop space loaned by Tipi Jean

New Holistic camp is in now its third year, re-energising a site with a great pedigree: the former summer home of the UK Rainbow Circle.

I respect and admire all those who take on the role of camp organiser. In this case Starcus Baal, a kind and generous friend with years of practical experience and festival know how.

The countless hours of hands on work and months of pre-planning will never be compensated in financial terms. Truly an offering from the heart.

The whole camp is a powerful seminar in living beyond money. As per Rainbow tradition; commercial activity is limited or bypassed, so that a free circulation of energy exchange can take place.



The experience for me was virtually money-free. A friend gifted me the ride and caravan tow from Glastonbury as a part thanks for some bodywork. I was a crew member by virtue of giving workshops, with an entitlement to free entry and meals prepared in the central kitchen and announced with the sounding of a conch shell. I eat high raw in the summer and travel self-sufficiently with sprouts and a manual juicer, nonetheless I was tempted into the convivial atmosphere of the cafe for some robust and tasty vegetarian meals.

Forest School in session

Workshops were free, and there was plenty to do: woodcraft, tarot, amulet making, poetry, singing and crafts. Individual sessions with healers and astrologers were also offered at no charge.

I found this particularly powerful and loving and it raised the vibration of the experience. We were living a new reality of abundance, sharing and receiving, close to nature in an open community, established on an ethos of caring and trust.


The principles of Rainbow are not new; and yet how fresh, radical and relevant they are today as we witness powerful world economies struggling to survive. The choice is on offer: what kind society do we prefer?  What are our values and can we dare to live them into reality?

At home in an ancient Oak grove

One of the unexpected gifts of camp was night after night of deep, prolonged sleep and dreaming.  A blessing in itself.

My companion, knowledgeable in druidic traditions and earth lore suggested we set up by an ancient Oak grove. The roots below and branches above forming a cosmic cradle holding us in safety.

We witnessed misty sunrises, scarlet sunsets and the fat golden August Harvest full moon. During the chilly evenings we warmed ourselves around the central fire and took turns getting blasted with wonderful wet heat of a steam bath constructed ingeniously in a bender and manned by a youthful, energetic crew.

The compost loos were well maintained; workshops took place in loaned teepees, yurts or outside in the bright steady sunshine, which kept us company most days.

Voluntary simplicity is good for the soul; we left after five days feeling revitalised and relaxed.

See more photographs of camp on my facebook page: 

If you would like to get involved for 2012 visit the website: www.new-holistic.co.uk

Directory of smaller camps and gatherings in the UK www.campscene-directory.co.uk

Getting started: Teaching yoga at festivals

Here is a recent post from my facebook page:

Hi!  I enjoyed reading about the festival yoga! 

I would like to do something like that here in the states.  I live in Phoenix, AZ and my husband is a bluegrass musician. We like to travel to different festivals throughout the Southwest. I will be teaching traditional Raja, eight limb yoga.  

Would you mind sharing how you charge for something like that and what you do about mats, props, etc? 

Thank you!! Namaste!

It's great to work from a dedicated yoga space

How exciting to receive correspondence from the US. I love that people are enjoying my blog and interacting. It is my true pleasure to support others by sharing my experience and participating in the flowing and growing of yoga across our beautiful planet! 

Here are my thoughts and suggestions:

Choose festivals you like! This may sound obvious, you will be living that environment twenty four hours a day for up to a week or even longer. It makes sense to go somewhere enjoyable where you will be able to relax and have good times.

Initial contact: Email the healing/wellbeing area co-ordinator as well as the workshop co-ordinator to find out who is managing yoga. Larger festivals may have a designated yoga co-ordinator. There is usually a link on the festival website; if not send a mail to the general info address and ask to be put in touch with whoever co-ordinates workshops/yoga/wellbeing. 

When you have a relevant someone's attention; set out your proposal. Emphasize your passion for yoga and teaching, why you are interested in that particular festival and highlight any specialism you can offer. Family and partner yoga as well as beginner yoga are always well received. The more the festival is aligned with principles of mind-body-spirit connection and alternative lifestyle, the more you are able to go deep and offer mantra, sutra, pranayama etc.

A clean carpeted floor is a must!

Apply early in the year, in the UK Feb/March is about the right time to register an interest. Generally speaking, the larger the festival, the greater the level of organisation and pre-planning required. Attach a link to your website. If you don't have a business site I recommend setting up a facebook page or blog for a free online presence so as to present your approach to yoga, training and experience, ideally with photos. Think of it as your cyber CV!

Yoga teachers are expected to carry professional indemnity insurance, recognised teaching qualifications and possibly a clean criminal background check.

Popular events may have a full quotient of regular, returning teachers. Don't be discouraged! You could offer your services as a yoga team support/back-up teacher, teaching assistant or karma yogi. Chances are a gap in the timetable will arise and you will be able to step in! And you are sowing the seeds of success for forthcoming festivals and making connections within the festival yoga community.

Generally, teaching work is unpaid, you get a free ticket in, and time to yourself to enjoy the festival when not teaching. Friends and family will have to buy a ticket.

A quiet, outdoor meditative practice

Be bold and approach festivals that currently have no yoga, organisers may be receptive to introducing it. Be clear about your needs: often there is a general workshop space: will it be suitable? Clean and dry? I don't recommend yoga under the elements, ideally the space is carpeted and designated shoe free. One of my favourite all time venues was a silk parachute draped between trees forming a beautiful translucent canopy and allowing cool air to circulate: blissful!

Mats are usually supplied by the yoga coordinator. Always check in advance. If you are sole teacher and are committed to several festivals, seek out used mats: Contact local yoga studios, teachers, gyms and wellness centres and ask if they are disposing of any used mats, offer to take them in return for a donation to their favourite charity. Call your friends!  You could post similar requests in health food stores and online communities such as freecycle.

Props?  For ease and simplicity I tend to modify my teaching to match the environment. There may be cushions and meditation blocks available if you are working within a dedicated healing area. I once taught inside a tipi strewn with sheepskins!

Fun and exuberance of family yoga!

A typical festival yoga session is one hour long. When I am sole teacher I offer a daily morning class at ten am. If I feel like giving more I may schedule a restorative session late afternoon. 

Decide your policy on children participating, whether you have a cut off time for starting, as folks tend to see things happening from outside and wander in. Yoga can be extremely popular; you may need an upper numbers limit, though it can be fun to spill out onto the grass if the sun is not too fierce!

You have a great opportunity to self-promote. Take flyers, cards etc if you have upcoming events to promote. I always collect email addresses, by circulating a form on a clipboard at the end of each session. Follow up with a courtesy email to the group promptly after the festival to thank your students for attending the sessions and for subscribing.

Other essentials: travel clock, incense and lighter, chimes, leg warmers! A flexible, positive attitude!

I hope that this is helpful, festival yoga is so much fun!

Yoga related questions are always welcome here and on facebook

Namaste

Jennifer

Glastonbury festival 2011 : a mini-adventure

Healing Field

In 2007 I was interviewed by writer Jarvis Hammond for his book A Year of Festivals. He was travelling the globe attending a selection of hand picked, diverse events with the question What makes the perfect festival?

I can answer him now as I have just had the perfect festival experience. I'm skipping Glastonbury this year, but couldn't resist a brief site visit when Mark from Sams sauna called to invite me on.

I bussed to Pilton village in full festival regalia: trilby, bodywarmer, long socks, wellies. A shoulder  bag contained well rehearsed essentials: bottle of spring water, a towel, waterproof trousers, a change of socks, sunscreen. I didnt have a pass or a ticket, I figured that the gate crew would still be in fluffy early bird mode and let me through.

View down to railway tracks, Green Fields

Polished aviator shades, an earpiece and radio handset, shiny black bomber jacket: the security guard looked fearsome and efficient, he would be well within his rights to refuse me entrance. I trusted the higher law, that the universe would want me to have a sauna and hang out with my friends.

I suggested that he let me on and twirled my multi-coloured rainbow brolly in a submissive manner. If you're in a vehicle with a pass I havent seen you, was his gruff, benevolent reply. I retreated to the main gate  and looked for a likely lift.

I flagged down the Glastonbury Spring Water Company van, who declined me on account of their insurance. Fair enough. Moments later a muddy Landrover swung in, a face I recognised from ... somewhere. I grinned and waved enthusiastically. I know you, said the driver as he leaned across and opened the passenger door. I clambered in gratefully, finding space amongst sheepskins, water containers and piles of rope. He was local and I had taught yoga to his ex-wife.

We bounced along the tracks and I felt the excitement rising as I passed familiar landmarks, the bright nipple like points of the circus tent, the iconic pyramid stage. Rows and rows of toilets. The site was almost ready.

Craft field

As we passed Yeoman Bridge which leads to the Green Fields, it felt like a homecoming. The spaciousness and purity was breathtaking and despite recent heavy rain, the lush turf remained pristine and verdant, the tracks mercifully dry and mud free.

I enjoyed my sauna, it felt like a divine blessing to share the space with just one other person, Rose, a pretty, chatty teen. We shared a hot tub too. I craned my neck to absorb the majesty of the blue sky. I was happy, relaxed, feeling love. It was a perfect moment.

I met up with several friends who were crewing in other fields: Starcus with his infamous 50p Tea Tent; Les from Green Futures, an old, old friend who is very dear to me We discussed the summer ahead and he implored me to stay. Many hugs later I skipped joyfully across site and found myself at the bus stop in Pilton village.

Happiness is.... the company of good friends

It felt as though I had left a magic bubble and was re-entering the real world, whatever that is. My good fortune continued as almost instantly friends travelling back to Glastonbury town pulled up by the kerb and escorted me safely home.

As I walked home a neighbour called out, You're sparkling! In truth I was a little high. Enlivened and energised by the buzz of the festival and with an open, warm heart overflowing with emotional nourishment. A great vibration to hold within myself and radiate out to the world.

A perfect festival experience.

Find out more about Jarvis Hammond's project A Year of Festivals

Memories of Glastonbury festival

Nylon metropolis

Facebook friends have already begun posting photos and updates as they excitedly arrive to set up what is surely the greatest festival of them all. This year I won't be joining them; I'm taking a break from Glastonbury, which I have worked continuously since 2007.  And I don't know that I'll return.

Glastonbury festival entered my consciousness in the late eighties. An earnest law undergraduate, the utter mayhem and round the clock partying did not appeal.  I had adventurous friends who went;  disappearing and reappearing days later, smellier, dirtier and having clearly undergone a rite of passage.

In the nineties, a chic and affluent city buddy arranged a jaunt from London; I paid my ticket but had to drop out due to a domestic emergency; I see now that fate was playing its hand; my first experience of Glastonbury would have to wait.

Beautiful spirit of early festivals

Several years later I found myself meandering along a disused railway line near the village of Pilton, Somerset.

I had just moved to the area and was walking with a friend. I didnt consider myself to be particularly psychically attuned; nonetheless I distinctly recall the feeling of excitement, of being a little high! We had unknowingly meandered on the festival site, treading where so many had whooped, skipped and danced. I could feel it in the air!

For two winters and one glorious summer, I lived a stones throw from site in a low impact community. I developed a personal and special relationship with the land; it was calm and peaceful for nine months of the year and the permanent stone circle was an obvious weekly pilgrimage and great place to take visiting friends.

During the colder months I often collected firewood on the farm; enjoying the freedom to roam across empty, open fields.  In early May the build would begin. A small camp could be seen in the Kings Meadow,  a small fire. We reciprocated with our Beltane fire,  two tribes connecting across opposing hills.

Stone Circle 1990s

Then the fencing would go up, an epic task, many, many miles of shining aluminium to delineate festival boundaries. Every year a little more land would be enclosed.

By early June the site was very active. We were kept awake as heavy plant vehicles lumbered and thrusted into the night establishing the infrastructure that supports a veritable small city, a temporary population of close to a quarter of a million.

For several happy seasons I would erect my geodome in the healing field, the quietest cleanest corner of the blissful green fields where many come for respite from commercial activity and stimulation. I would often chuckle to myself as I practised early morning yoga, watching the bemused litter crew making their matinal sweep and leaving empty handed.

Beloved Green Fields

My work as a therapist felt important. I gave countless massages and facials. Bodywork at festivals calms the senses, grounds and restore wellbeing. How may have taken their first massage at Glastonbury?

Treatments were popular and I also looked after crew, friends from other fields with sore backs from hammering and sawing rudimentary structures and handling enormous canvases. I felt rewarded, happy and fulfilled.

I  witnessed transformations in those Green fields. As though entering a  magical realm streetsmart  youth abandon brands and designer labels to romp and frolic in vintage clothing, a leopard skin coat, some bunny ears, a tutu! My deepest joy came from watching adults lose their cool and rediscover their playful nature. I love that the ticket holders bring unlimited optimism and expect to have a good time!

Adults at play!

My favourite memories?  Early morning saunas and late night sunsets, quiet moments connecting with friends.

The poignant return of Edwin Collins in 2008, still in recovery from a stroke. The surrealism of  massaging a client as Chas and Dave insistently banged out Rabbit Rabbit  nearby.

All good things must come to an end and I knew as I packed up at the end of 2010 that I didnt want to return. It had been a near perfect event; hot, sunny and just lovely. I was changing and becoming increasingly sensitive to my environment: Glastonbury is full on, intense, overwhelming and it was time for me to move on.

Me (right) and friend 2010

I love that I was able to take part and make a contribution to festival that is as old as I am; an institution of British cultural history!

It is satisfying to let go with ease and grace knowing that my festival friends and family will be carrying on as usual and that the event is sure to continue and grow.

As I write, I am relishing quiet time at home and enjoying smaller projects. I live in Glastonbury town am curious about what happens during the festival, a giant commercial and creative vortex which sucks in local talent; I wonder who else will be staying behind?

If you are involved in 2011 have an amazing time!

 

Links
Official website www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Fascinating, evocative  footage of early gathering
Glastonbury Fayre 1971

Polished and professional movie homage from Julien Temple
Glastonbury (2006)

Celebrating the autumn equinox

We are experiencing the autumn equinox, the point in the calendar at which day and night are of roughly equal duration. The long days of summer have ended and we find ourselves moving into a phase of shorter days and lengthening evenings as the sun departs on its journey to illuminate and warm the southern hemisphere.

Last weekend we were blessed by sunbaked days of continuous blue skies and summer temperatures of 22 degrees. It felt like July, in fact it was an improvement on this year’s rain sodden July. I was fortunate to be spending the equinox with like minded company at the Out of the Ordinary festival (OOTO) in Sussex. While the classic elements of the green festival scene were in full effect such as chai stalls, workshops, saunas and great bands, the timing of the event enabled us to celebrate the equinox, making the most of the fading light around campfires, chanting and drumming together. The sunshine boosted the mood and helped create a memorable, magical event.

Back in Glastonbury, the equinox was honoured by a ceremony at the well head of the White Spring, at this very time I was holding my weekly drop-in yoga class at the Rowan Centre on the High Street. With the equinox in mind we used nadi shodana (alternate nostril) pranayama to reflect internally the balanced situation of the sun, finding a moment’s pause at the end of the inhalation and exhalation as we have perfect equilibrium in the solar cycle.

As a final farewell to the summer sun, many friends will be gathering at Coed Hills rural arts community in South Wales. With the sun continuing to pour its blessings steadily upon us it looks to be a lovely gathering, with workshops, a healing space and cabaret to keep each other happy and well. I am negotiating a last minute workshop proposal for a pranayama and mudra session as my contribution, I am hoping that this will go ahead.

Howsoever you spend the weekend it looks set to stay sunny, enjoy!

www.outoftheordinaryfestival.com
www.coedhills.co.uk

Big Green Gathering 2009 cancelled

A collective wave of sadness is felt across the Green festival community today with the news that this year’s Big Green Gathering, due to take place at a farm near Cheddar, Somerset next week has been cancelled. I’ve spent a sizeable chunk of this afternoon on Facebook as well as attending to texts and phone calls from stunned, incredulous friends and colleagues, all of whom were planning to have a really good time and create a beautiful festival for ourselves and the general public when the gates would have opened on Wednesday.

Most of us were loading our vehicles today with the intention of heading onto the site tomorrow. Indeed the infrastructure of the site; plumbing, loos, crew catering offices etc is already established. There have been strict instructions issued not to approach the site, that it is closed.

The reason for the closure is related to legal issues which are being thoroughly aired on local news sites. What is emerging for me on a personal level is the deep sense of connectedness that persists in the festival community as we mourn our loss. Many will have been preparing for months; purchasing stock, creating decorations, generally getting excited and enthusiastic.

I have attended the Big Green on the last four occasions, as a therapist in the Healing area. This year I was planning to join in with the rambunctious fun and diversity of the Earth Energies and Divinatory Arts Field, I had been looking forward to teaching morning yoga and giving crew massages. Elsewhere, friends would be creating arts spaces, a bhakti yoga space, a garden of found objects; offering sound healings, fairy craft workshops, sacred plant medicine healings and so much more.

The diversity and vitality of the Big Green bears testament to the breadth and scope of the current green scene in the UK. With many of the issues pioneered now embraced by main stream society, such as green energy, sustainable homes, organic gardening, the need for a forum, a showcase for alternative lifestyles is highly pertinent.

I will miss the horse drawn camp for its unique flavour and timelessness, the late night sweat lodge in the tipi field, hanging out with friends in SAMS sauna, the unexpected moments of beauty and bliss that fuel my festival adventures. The Big Green Gathering is (was?) a brave and important event, unique in its authenticity and unrivalled in its outlook. Sending thoughts of peace and love to all involved.


www.big-green-gathering.com

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8169477.stm

Sunrise Celebration 2009: a healer's perspective

I am resting quietly at home following a weekend of heat hazed fun at this year's Sunrise Celebration. The healing area was situated atop the festival site, affording a splendid view out across wooded hills and ensuring that we benefited from a cooling breeze. We enjoyed a wonderful opening circle, sharing earth chants with Johnathan Cainer and a Tibetan Lama amongst others.

I led two of the several daily yoga sessions: an energizing morning practice and a quieter, restorative afternoon session. Mornings required a little karma yoga in advance of class to remove paraphenalia left by partygoers who used the space as a hangout; indeed on Sunday a group of revellers had to be gently coaxed back into consciousness and enouraged to leave, which they did in good humour.

In the same space, shamanic journeying took place daily; part of the free workshop schedule which included classical Indian dance, bhajans, T'ai Chi and Qi Gung.

I also set up my therapy space and gave a serious number of organic skincare facials. This has become my signature treatment at festivals, a big hit with mothers who are able to leave their children for a half hour or so to receive a much longed for pamper and relax. Elsewhere, massage proved popular treatment with ayurvedic, holistic and thai modes available.

A beautiful sound pyramid and travelling garden created soothing magical spaces enabling festival goers to pause and calm their senses before heading backdown into the hurly burly of the main arena where the various sound stages, cafes and markets were located.

Smaller in scale and ambition this year the balance of festival crew,ticket holders and traders felt just right. The flowing contours of the site - an organic farm near Bruton, Somerset created an intimate setting for a true sense of community to be created. Blessed by a steadily radiant sun, Sunrise has become a joyful and exhilarating start to the summer festival season.

www.sunrisecelebration.com

Festival yoga

I’ve been rummaging around in my storage boxes, looking for legwarmers; essential festival wear when it comes to yoga.

My teaching career begun at festivals, as a dedicated student I would practice daily in the morning quiet, often beside the canvas geo-dome that is my live-work structure, perhaps in a communal workspace. My face became familiar and eventually I was asked to teach.

What a wonderful experience it is! One is most often teaching from a temporary space, large structures with hand hewn wooden frames, covered in brightly coloured canvas. The floor, that is to say the earth, is pleasingly solid yet decidedly lumpy, it may be covered with tarps and rugs which adds to the uneven character.

Situated within the Healing Area of most events there is usually a pleasant soundtrack of didgeridoo, chimes, chanting or singing, however during large events the amplified music from the sound stages does tend to dominate: Last year I gave a session at Download, the heavy metal event at Castle Donington. Needless to say my usual suggestions to fall still and quiet seemed rather pointless as Zebrahead raged in the background.

Students are a highly diverse bunch, a mixture of serious yogis, first timers, children as well as those who have drifted in to see what’s going on. Sessions are generally free which allows for experimentation, most events will host at least two or three styles. It is entirely possible to turn Buddhafield or the Big Green Gathering into an eco yoga vacation, combining any number of classes between dawn and dusk with therapies, sauna and vegetarian food.

I love the randomness and unpredictability of festivals, especially the smaller events on the alternative festival circuit. A chicken wanders in from the horse drawn camp during meditation, a violent downpour ends and a rainbow appears, a bluegrass ensemble give an impromptu set across the way. It feels good to take my practice into this lively creative arena and offer a soothing counterpoint to the hectic stimulation of the event.

Join me for yoga in summer 2009 at the Sunrise Celebration, Buddhafield, the Healing Field Gathering and more…

Festival of Life last weekend in London

Wow! What an experience that was. Firstly how exhilarating to leave the peaceful and loving bosom of Avalon and venture into the hectic stimulation that is central London.

It was good to catch up with friends and familiar faces from the alternative festival scene. The event was well attended with standing room only for many of the talks and demonstrations. I was particularly pleased to meet Lisa and Hector from Raw Gaia, the raw, vegan skincare company whose products I have been using in my treatments since the summer.

Also present were two of my raw food heroes: Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes who individually and now jointly are spreading information about the raw lifestyle. They just got engaged, lush!

An alround uplifting and inspirational event.