Berkshire Yoga Festival 2024

Our bodies are the perfect receptors for sound, and sound alchemy instruments are the ideal vibrational transmitters that provide a simple and effective way to access the incredible benefits of meditation simply by listening to the beautiful tones and absorbing the therapeutic vibrations. When combined with the grounding and rejuvenating effects of Restorative yoga, participants cultivate expansiveness and spaciousness that transcend the everyday ordinary. Join Char Willingham for a guided, enriching, and nurturing experience with a multi-instrument Sound Bath and Restorative Yoga practice for improved vitality, mental clarity, and somatic well-being.

Join Char Willingham for a transcendent Sonic Cacao Circle, a heart-expanding journey that combines ancient rituals and meditative practices. Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of ceremonial-grade cacao, valued in indigenous cultures for its emotional and spiritual properties. Allow the rhythmic sounds of sonic meditation to lead you into profound inner exploration. This communal gathering provides a supportive environment for personal transformation and the cultivation of unity. Discover the profound synergy of a sonic cacao meditation, offering opportunities for self-reflection, healing, and spiritual enlightenment. Walk away with serenity and a deep connection to your community.

Unlock the full potential of your voice and enhance your self-confidence in a nurturing environment that combines vocal exercises and mantra. Through the exploration of the transformative power inherent in opening the throat chakra, you'll discover techniques that go beyond the mere mechanics of singing. These practices are designed to expand your vocal range, enabling you to tap into the profound connection between sound and spiritual well-being. Immerse yourself in the art of vocal expression and mantra, and witness the empowering effects ripple through every aspect of your being. As you delve into these practices, you'll not only refine your singing abilities but also bring yourself into the sacred space of divine love. The harmonious synergy of these techniques serves as a gateway to uplifting not just your voice but your entire body, mind, and spirit, fostering a holistic and transformative experience. 

Dive into an enchanting exploration of sound and vibration with Char Willingham and navigate through the mystical realms of sonic alchemy. This potent practice melds the profound wisdom of ancient traditions with the insights of contemporary science, allowing you to tap into the universal rhythms and unlock your true potential. Whether you seek relaxation, stress relief, or a deeper connection with your inner self, this event offers a unique space for expansiveness, spaciousness, and inward contemplation. Traverse the domains of sublime healing and bathe in the melodic orchestra of sacred instruments while experiencing the alchemical potency that harmonizes, uplifts, and revitalizes your whole being. Embark on this journey to set sail on your unparalleled sonic adventure.

Headstand or Sirsasana  is sometimes referred to as the “King of Asana” and it stands (on its head) atop the rest.  Done well, it can be a meditative and soothing pose.  In this Hatha style workshop, you will move through a sequence of poses that compose the building blocks of a stable and confident headstand.  

You will see how the components of the headstand exist within many familiar and often practiced poses, and learn the alignment principle needed to practice safely. By the end, you will have the tools you need to add this pose to your regular practice, and if you have a headstand practice already, you can expect to find a lightness and an ease you didn’t know was possible!

Presented by studio partner, Back Bay Yoga Union.

The spiritual journey is not meant to be a dirge. It’s meant to be a dance of the highest bliss and joy. But how
do you access it? Join master yogi, founder, musician, and internationally acclaimed teacher, Todd Norian, as
he guides you step-by-step into the life-affirming and deeply blissful teachings of Tantra Yoga that weave back
together the body, mind, and heart into an integrated meaningful matrix of relationship. Practice a variety of
blissful standing poses, hip openers, backbends, and twists.
During this class, you

•  Learn the 4-steps to bliss through alignment-based, heart-centered Ashaya Yoga
•  Cultivate deep peace through breathing, mantra, and meditation
•  Gain powerful and practical insights for how to live with more bliss and ease
•  Receive hands-on adjustments to improve your alignment and find more joy in the poses
•  Enjoy Todd’s music throughout the class

By the end of the class, you’ll feel rejuvenated, and your blissful smile will shine more joy out into the world.
Ashaya Yoga is an accessible, therapeutic, and safe practice for all levels of beginners to advanced yogis.
Modifications are given and you’re encouraged to go at your own pace.

Recommended reading: Todd Norian, Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness, A Memoir; Ashaya
Yoga: Align Your Body, Awaken Your Heart Manual; Introduction to Ashaya Yoga Therapy Manual

Prana moves through the body with breath. When we add the vibration of sound we amplify our ability to experience that prana. The result is that we feel more energized, enlivened and embodied. By activating the audible voice we awaken our ability to voice feelings, needs and our own truth. The more comfortable we become with our own sound the more comfortable we become expressing ourselves to the world. That is our right—and our responsibility. At this moment in time, it’s imperative. In this practice we’ll utilize breath, movement, asana, chanting and improvisational sound to cultivate a greater connection to the voice within and, therefore, to a greater sense of presence, power and peace.

The latest neuroscience research shows that people with a strong "spiritual core" experience less anxiety and depression than those that don't. But what do we mean by a "strong spiritual core?" And how does yoga help someone develop it?

You'll often hear people say that yoga is "spiritual but not religious." Yet, it's not always clear what distinguishes one from the other or what either has to do with a breathing and moving practice.

In this workshop, J. Brown will offer simple practice and facilitate discussion around different philosophical viewpoints and the notion of a higher power in the context of yoga. This will include the relationship between meditation and prayer, soul and creator, intuition, and ways in which we might develop receptivity and direction.

Immerse yourself in the harmonious flow of movement and sound. As we warm up the spine, move through our sun salutations, invigorating sequences and grounding postures, the vibrations of 432Hz music will serve as a gentle guide, freeing blocked energy and facilitating a deeper connection with the natural rhythm of the universe. Known for its resonance with the Earth's vibrational patterns, the 432Hz frequency provides a soothing and expansive backdrop, allowing you to release tension, cultivate inner peace, and elevate your practice to new heights. Together, we'll create a space where you can let go, rejuvenate, and embrace the radiant energy within.

This class is presented in partnership of studio partnerm SWEAT Power Yoga.

Now that the ascent of yoga into the mainstream has long since peaked and we are on the other side of the paradigm shattering years of the pandemic, yoga teachers have been left in quandary about how to navigate the new landscape. 

In this panel discussion, we will hear from teachers who have been witness to the evolution of yoga in the west about what their experiences have been and where they see things going.