I attended the Asheville Yoga Festival (AYF) for the first time this past weekend. I traveled up to Asheville, NC on Thursday July 25, 2019. I attended 3 days of festival activities 7/26-2/28. This weekend, I was held, supported, and empowered. I gleaned more knowledge as an instructor and as a student. I attended the festival solo….by myself…without friends…alone. Have you ever gone to an event alone? I have, and at first it may feel odd, but if you open your mind and heart to the possibility of new experiences, growing individually, and meeting new people you will feel calm and at peace with being alone.
I must say, I initially had hoped that some of my yoga sisters would have been able to attend but unfortunately their schedules did not allow for them to make it. Although I physically attended the festival alone, I was not truly alone or lonely. Yogis from across the world came together in the spirit of community and unification. I met several students and studio owners from the southeast that I was able to connect with, exchange contact information, discuss opportunities to visit and collaborate on ventures that support each other’s mission.
Classes were taught by a number of amazing teachers. I was led in this practice by Chelsea Jackson Rogers, Tracee Stanley, Octavia Raheem, J Miles, Guillermo Gomez, MC Yogi & DJ Drez, Rosie Green Mulford, Adam Whiting, and Tara Eschenroeder. In ten years of yoga practice, I have only taken one yoga class with a male. It was an amazing experience to be able to take 4 different classes with a diverse group of men. Inversions with J Miles, Vinyasa with Mc Yogi, Aikido with Guillermo, and Yin with Adam were the bomb. They taught from physical and spiritual backgrounds that were energizing and enlightening. The men and women leading classes gave insight from different world experiences, which gave me the ability to receive and feel their classes on a deeper level. Chelsea, Tracee, and Octavia spoke to my spirit during their classes. I was guided in flow, rest, and meditation. Their words, teaching style, and ability to share empowered me while permitting me to relax, restore, and heal my soul. I felt strong and free in Rosie and Tara’s classes. I took my physical practice to new heights; which overflows into my practice of yoga off the mat. The Bhagavad Gita says, “Yoga is a journey of the self, to the self, and through the self.” I must say over the last 10 years I have steadily evolved; experienced highs and lows of practice and remain steadfast in this journey.
The Asheville Yoga Festival had teachers from around the world, vendors from California to New York, community yoga with donations to support a local non-profit, and opportunities to go out in nature and practice yoga. There was SUP yoga, hiking, meditation in salt caves, and more. The next time I attend this festival I will definitely choose to do more. If you have not visited Asheville or attended the yoga festival, I recommend that you do. Choose to go somewhere new, experience change, and allow your mind and spirit to be open.
I am still in Asheville; I am staying several more days and will hike, cycle, ride down the river, explore and connect with mother earth. I get to experience the sun rising, the lush green of the mountains, the cool streams, the sounds of the birds, and I revel in it. I am thankful for this time to ground, to be rooted and connected with self. It allows me to realize my why; why I do this work, why I serve, and why I am on this yogic journey. What is your why?
