About the Mandala Yoga Festival

---

The Mandala Festival is about growth through community. Community through connecting. It’s about love and the creative power we all share. When I envision the day, I see smiling faces, kids playing, groups of people moving their bodies. I hear laughing, a background of music and a universal breath. I feel the warm sun and a deep sense of gratitude. This is exactly where we are supposed to be. Right here embracing the world, each other and ourselves. 

When I think about what the day of the festival will bring, my heart and soul explode with joy. I think about the connections that will be made; the opportunities to expand (existing and new) relationships inside the yoga community, the connections that will be made between the entrepreneurs (providing experiences, workshops, nourishing food/beverages, and merchandise) and those who attend to experience opportunities for yoga, connection that creates support, inspiration and growth. I am looking forward to helping create an environment to make those connections and experiences for anyone and everyone that attends this festival. My hope is that there will be something for everyone to experience and share. That everyone walks away from this event inspired to continue to grow love and connection in their communities. 

Why a yoga festival? Why not? Yoga on and off our mats is a magical kind of life force energy. It not only unites you back to your own mind, body, and spirit but also to your connection with the community. And there, within that space, we thrive. We discover healing, peace, steadiness, adventure and so much love. We all need a little more of that to take up space within our own hearts and the heart of our community. 

There’s something amazing about yoga. The feeling that comes after, that moment of reconnection with Self, discovering something new about yourself. It’s even more amazing when you can share that with others, when something that you love becomes bigger than yourself, but you have the honor of being part of it. What better way to do that, than through a free yoga festival that makes yoga available to everyone. I’m so honored and excited to be part of making this come alive. 

Connection to self, connection to others... that's what it's all about isn't it? A yoga festival in a disconnected world isn't just a good idea - it's a necessity. The heartbeat of the Mandala Yoga Festival is UNITY - a deep honoring of the threads that connect each one of us to ourselves, to one another, and to the Universe at large. The love and intention that has already gone into this festival showcase the team’s aligned vision for an empowering and life-changing event. Our community needs this event now more than ever.

Connection...we talk about it often in class. Connection with our breath, connection with our body, connection to the tradition of the practice. But one of the most energizing connections is that with each other! This yoga festival is such a wonderful way to bring us together - beyond our separate studios or groups, beyond our mat set up at home - to share our love of this practice and the unique way that practicing in a large group of diverse yet like-minded people can nourish our soul and reinforce the goodness and love that is out there. And there is nothing like practicing outside! Hope to see you there!

I fully believe that the world will be a better place with more yoga!  This festival will be a beautiful opportunity to introduce yoga to many, and deepen its roots for those already practicing.  At the heart of cultivating the festival experience is creating a space where EVERYONE feels like they belong.  We aim to accomplish this by including offerings designed for all ages and abilities. We will also provide exposure to elements of yoga off the mat.  More often than not, especially in the states, we think of yoga primarily as the physical practice.  However, yoga is not only about the poses, or asanas, it’s about how we interact with ourselves, and how we interact with others and the world around us.  It’s about being at peace with ourselves, and with others. There is so much for all of us to learn, so much growth to be experienced!  Come festival day, I envision an abundance of joy, smiling faces and a sense of peace that brings us one step closer to making the world a better place.  It starts with each and every one of us, as we build a stronger community with those around us.

Having created and attended beautiful festival experiences, we know firsthand how meaningful, powerful, and outright magical they can be for those who participate.  And we want that for all of you!  We’ve joined the team to help intentionally foster a full-on culture of welcoming and belonging energy.

Also, we’re SO excited to be bringing Loving Awareness and Brilliant Bliss Mantra Music to the fest. Meditation and mantra practices are beautiful aspects of our yogic path and lifestyle that we feel honored to share with everyone.

My mission as a Yoga Professional is to Inspire Empowerment and strengthen individuals and communities through Movement, Meditation, and Empowered Mindset Work. With that mission in mind, I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the Mandala Yoga Festival Team. Appleton is home to numerous talented, strong, and creative individuals, and this festival is about bringing everyone together, sharing space, promoting health and wellness for all, and building and strengthening connections. As Volunteer Coordinator, I look forward to inviting community members into a space where they can share their talents, their love for community, and be a part of something brand new and truly remarkable. One of the greatest things I've learned from my 8 years as a Yoga + Meditation Coach is that no one ever leaves a Yoga Class upset. I look forward to an entire day of inviting our community to unburden themselves from whatever heaviness they may carry, then head back to their homes, their work, and their world with a greater sense of freedom and ease.