Fields of Yogis is aiming to reach some key goals this coming year — all focused on making yoga more accessible to all of Iowa.
“We want to have an accepting, diverse, all-encompassing festival,” says founder Ally Thompson.
The Cedar Rapids yoga festival, happening Aug. 23-25, aims to attract more people new to yoga and create a sense of community around year-round wellness. The festival aims to reach farther throughout the state. And, it seeks to communicate the overall benefits of yoga, not just its physical benefits .
“It’s not just for your body; it’s for who you are,” Thompson says. Among the new features this year:
• “Lunch and learn” classes that provide examples — and classes for self-preparation — on healthy eating including vegan options (does not include yoga)
• Art tents on Saturday and Sunday (these tickets can be purchased separately from festival passes)
• Morning “intention-setting” sessions
• More community yoga sessions that are free and open to everyone
• The “Relax and Restore Lounge,” featuring coffee and contemplation, coloring pages, cool air, and casual hang-outs courtesy of Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore program
• An end-of-festival gifting ceremony and drumming circle
Headline teachers this year include:
• Cassandra Justine, a Chicago-based yoga instructor who also founded Choose Joy, which coordinates retreats and continuing education
• Tamara “Cuchira” Levinson, a former gymnast and professional dancer who founded the MovMEANT program to relieve personal trauma by “moving your way through it
• Koya Webb, celebrity holistic health coach and yoga instructor from Los Angeles, who also created the Get Loved Up positive change movement
Tickets per class, per day, or for multiple days tare still available. Passes include a swag bag full of local mindful goodies, a weekend or learning and growth, and a new community to engage with off your mat.
This article is reprinted from April 2019.
