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