Inviting attendees to “find your true north,” Wanderlust festival in its many international iterations is focused on the holistic. While yoga practice forms the foundation, the event also brings in music, dance, food and thought. With its international lineup ranging from the mountains of Chile to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, there’s also bountiful natural splendor to experience and embrace.
The largest and fastest growing series of yoga and music festivals in the world, the event was first begun in 2009 at Squaw Valley. The festival organizers believe that the experience is all about community and believe that it’s as much about the like-minded people you’ll meet as the events and activities themselves. With a philosophy like that, yoga practice is held in venues of varying sizes so you can choose the best fit on that day, or at that moment. Ranging from the massive “Greatest Place” to a quiet, grassy hill, the only limit is time.
Slipstream brought two groups to see it all in bucolic Squaw Valley, California and Whistler, British Columbia.
Squaw Valley, in the legendary Lake Tahoe area, welcomed top yogis like Sianna Sherman, Shiva Rea and Seane Corn for yoga and meditation on a field, in a tent and on a paddleboat. Rejuvenating hikes, rafting, mountain biking and lectures with some of the most enlightened thinkers around like food-advocate Joel Salatin provided even more options during the day. At night, attendees could choose from watching films advocating change, a dinner emphasizing health and organic living, or a concert with some of the world’s top acts like Moby.
Whistler’s iteration of Wanderlust last weekend once again showed off the best of North America. Embracing the mountainous setting, attendees could supplement their yoga practice with rock climbing or cross country biking or a meditative hike utilizing the ski resort’s gondolas. And of course, once again, the lineup was steller with music from the likes of Moby, MC Yogi and Quixotic, and lectures with yogi Rod Stryker and Chief Evangelist of Google Social, Gopi Kallayil.
Key Facts
- Yoga-focused three to four day festivals featuring some of the world’s best yoga instructors and most illuminated speakers
- World’s largest and fastest growing yoga and music series
- Founded in 2009, it celebrates the values of mindfulness through the arts, mediation, food and embracing natural beauty
- Past performers have included Spoon, Andrew Bird, Broken Social Scene, Moby and MC Yogi
Why Wanderlust
- Co-founder Jeff Krasno says, “Festivals are all about community,” and Wanderlust definitely embraces that philosophy
- Great way to experience a yoga retreat but also have varied activities
- Flexible ticketing so you can choose the activities and price point that works for you
Be Aware Of
- Some yoga sites are up to a 30-minute walk from home base, but with carefully chosen sites showcasing the best of the outdoors, the hike could be half the fun.
Can’t wait to find your own zen with Slipstream taking care of the details? Find all the details on how you can go at slipstream.travel.
All photos courtesy of Wanderlust and from Wanderlust, Whistler 2012.
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