Bhakti Fest West Day 3

Divine Harmony packs the Breathwork Hall

A stream of ominous morning clouds brewed above on the third day in our desert yogi oasis. Chilled bottles of Balance Water helped get our Shiva Shakti energies in harmony, while Reeds kombucha gave us a different kind of balance in our bodies for Saturday’s festivities.

Denise Kaufman kicked off early yoga sessions with her wise, playful and powerful practice. The YogaSlackers kept the play going at the Chalice Pond by offering strapline instruction. Saul David Raye dished out sweet juicy morning kirtan, followed by Kanamrita Dasi who kept the sweetness flowing with her robust, beautiful bhajans.

In the Breathwork Hall, Divine Harmony gave a discourse on our relationship to the cosmos though explaining Natal charts, also known as astrological charts. We journeyed to the planets, moons, stars and all cosmic bodies that effect us on both a personal and global level. In the NamasteLight Sanctuary, Manoj and Jyoti Chalam brought the deities to life through an exploration of their epic legends.

Yoga legend Dharma Mittra and Bhakti Fest Executive
Producer Sridhar Silberfein catch up in the hospitality suite

Yogi master Dharma Mittra made light of the pretzel postures that participants attempted to twist themselves into. Phil Goldberg and Joey Lugassy time traveled back to the spiritual days of The Beatles. They delved into the history of world’s most beloved pop rock band and their experience with the ancient Eastern traditions. They unraveled their mission to bring those teachings to the masses, and how that huge drop of wisdom still ripples in the Western world today.

Renown shaman, Renee Baribeau called on the four winds to help guide her class into the direction of their destinies, while pranafied power couple Govind Das and Radha rocked Main Stage. C.C White raised the building energy even further up with her soul soaked praises. Refreshing sips of Runa Tea and La Croix natural soda quenched thirsty yogis after an entire day of expanding their minds, bodies and souls.

Mark Whitwell closed asana practice with his straight-forward sharing of  the Great Tradition of Hatha yoga. He made it very clear to students that a true practice is, “not a fluffy philosophy, nor is it glorified gymnastics on yoga mats. It’s scientific fact that through doing the full work we can clearly see that, we are the extreme intelligence, beauty, function that is the true reality.”

DosaDosa Truck

Right around dinner, the ominous clouds turned into a full force thunderstorm, blessing us with a cleansing rain. A perfect moment to hunker under some shelter and enjoy a luscious sweet or savory crepe from the kitchen of Dosa

“everyone around you fell in love with you, and you fell in love with everyone just by being completely present with each other.”

The only follow-up to match such an explosive vibration was the dynamite duo of the Kirtaniyas and DJ Drez. They activated our Bhakti booty chakras with their bassmantra beats. The sacred sub sonic sound created the best feelings of soft ringing bliss just before bed time.

By Bernadette Ignacio

Bhakti Fest West 2013 Day 2

Image by Mitchell Manz Photography

We rose charged from opening day energy here at Joshua Tree Retreat Center. With so many classes and kirtan to catch, nothing could start the day better than a bit of toasty Manna Bread washed down with a brewed blend from Java GoGo. For those who love rich roasted flavors, but curb caffeine, a warm cup of Teecino made the perfect morning fix.

Early day workshops were devoted to a better understanding of deep-rooted, burning issues. One which focused on the turbulent buzz topic of money. Michael Thomas Robinson engaged participants in “Bhakti Yoga: The Path to Peace and Abundance.” The focus for this class revolved around timeless wisdom taught by many masters about how to cultivate a copious life--from the Buddah to Amma.
Michael emphasized that abundance comes to those who truly “believe that they can be masters of attainment.” He opened up the discussion by asking if anyone knew what abundance means. A timid room hesitated to answer. The awkward silence was broken with another question: “How can you attain something if you don’t know what it is?” He explained that through using our spiritual practice as a life compass, we can put ourselves in alignment with the wisdom that brought so much abundance to the greatest teachers in our human history.

On the stages, Philippo Francini’s evocative sound settled, or stirred the inner worlds of yogis who joined him at the Hanuman stage. Meanwhile, Sharanam Anandama shot Main stage goers into a sweet swaying ecstatic dance with his harmonic musical offerings.

Image of Janet Stone by Mitchell Manz Photography

The late morning rolled on with the high vibe teachings of Janet Stone, sweet kundalini of Kia Miller and playful practice of our dear desert-dweller yogini Kristin Olsen. Hint water kept us hydrated into high noon, and E-boost in our canteens helped energy levels stay high under the hot sun.

Legendary visionary artist Paul Heussenstam shed insight into the secrets and powers of mandalas. His workshop held in the NamasteLight sanctuary revealed mandalas as a psychic map to guide one towards a truly open heart. He shared his personal story a about how the sacred designs helped him “see the patterns in reality,” and how in being able to truly see those patterns we can “have courage, seek peace, and understand all that is truly real.” He told us that in “paintings are souls--they’re a magic window through time and space that a artist creates,” that, “we are all artists, and that artists are divine manifestoes.”

In the New Chapter Yoga Hall I, Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band gathered all around for “Bhakti on the Mat.” The class opened with an invitation from Sean to gather around for a story, and began to tell us that “One upon a time there was a yogi...” He continued to tell the tale of the Kali Durga who was conceived out of the need to heal a world where impure thoughts were law, and wild unruly destruction reined. Our asana evolved into a dance that interpreted this battle with our own bodies and minds.

Image of Jai Uttal by
Mitchell Manz  Photography

Micheline Berry wrapped up the yoga classes in Yoga Hall II, while Newton Campbell led yogis through sunset salutations. Big swigs of KeVita probiotic drinks kept yogi tummy happy and revitalized after asana so they could enjoy the music of the evening.

The visceral sounds of Arjun Baba transported the crowd to a suspended moment of time and grace. The crowd danced with delight to the sound of their own collective voices. At the main stage Deva Premal and Miten mesmerized yogis with traditional mantras which raised vibrations to the emerging stars glittering in the royal blue night.

To close the second evening Jai Uttal took on a magic yoga mat ride though time. In classic Jai style he took our souls to sky heights, and we chanted the holy names until bliss bloated every cell. As a whole we floated and danced in the magic desert dust until it was time to tuck in for the next day in yogi paradise.

By Bernadette Lynn Ignacio

Bhakti Fest West 2013 Day 1

Morning Asanas surrounded by Joshua Trees
Image by Mitchell Manz Photography

Cotton white clouds billowed through blue skies over our home on the first day of Bhakti Fest 2013. Excitement blew in the soft breeze gracing our festival family as the lined up for morning classes. After warm sips of revitalizing tea from Organic India and big yummy bites of gluten-free Larabars, we were all ready to take on what wonders would come for Thursday.

David Watts opened the festival on Main Stage with a shamanic ceremony invoking the great spirits to bless our beloved Bhakti Fest. Calling on the four directions of the medicine wheel, we honored the Universe and all of its bounty. All held a space in deep gratitude for the wisdom and transformation which they were to receive.

With rich coat of Desert Essence sun care products, we were set to take on the beaming sun and dry heat. Zach Leary kicked off the festivities on the Hanuman Stage with mantras praising Ganesha, while and LA YOGA Magazine's Felicia Tomasko energized yogis with vigorous vinyasa. Beth Shaw of YogaFit, offered her expert instruction through sun salutations toward early the rising sun.

Kristin Olson mixing yoga with mantras
Image by Mitchell Manz Photography

Urban Yoga's Kristin Olson

In the Sanctuary, Dawn Cartwright offered a delicious Tantra workshop. Participants paired together to explore different levels love and sexuality. Sitting face to face, each pair was guided into each other’s inner universe though focused eye contact. Every curve of each smile was navigated. The unique scape of each person’s beautiful body was blessed by their partner. Even through individuals completely engaged their undivided attention, Dawn explained moving through the exercises was an opportunity to just “let everything go”, and “welcome the pure love from each other without judgement or fear.”

In the Breathwork Hall, divine lovers Moses and Zenia lead a class through chanting simple yet powerful mantras that broke open the hearts of all who came. Paired with the soft, low sounds of the harmonium, they helped people heal deeply by simply singing the words, “I love you, I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you.” Afterward, they invited the class to visit their booth where they sell beautiful yoga clothes and handcrafted jewelry from a which portion of profit is dedicated the Amma Foundation.

Sirgun Kaur serves out kirtan on the Hanuman Stage
Image by Bernadette Lynn Ignacio

KIND Healthy Snacks and ZICO Coconut Water kept us nourished and hydrated as morning morphed into afternoon. Our beloved Bhakti sister Sirgun Kaur kept lovely melodies rolling as she offered her sweet heavenly praises to gods and goddesses found within each and every yogi who sat and chanted with her.

Nearby in the food court, Bliss Café filled happy bellies, while Giggle Juice quenched desert thirst. Instead of getting down on organic grub, some spent their mid day shopping around the vendor village at beautiful booths such Gypsy Jenny and Kala Imports who brought one-of-a-kind designs.
The afternoon heat began to drop, as evening approached and classes continued. Michael Brian Baker conducted his world renown mystic magic through breath work during the first of many sessions he would hold here at the fest. Participants took a journey through themselves as the panted heavy breaths that transformed into explosions of laughter for some, and tears for others. He closed the sessions explaining the work we are doing is not only for the benefit of ourselves, but for the future generations of tomorrow who will live in a world that we are creating today.

Dave Stringer kicks off the Opening Evening
Image by Mitchell Manz Photography

After a technicolor sun set into the distant hills, the moving groove of Jaya Lakshmi and Ananda carried us into dusk. The evenings explosive line-up of Donna De Lory, Dave Stringer, and GuruGanesha Band resounded through the night as the stars twinkled above our heads.

With a full first day behind us. We all drifted into exhausted anticipation for the days ahead.

By Bernadette Lynn Ignacio