The ABCs of Wanderlust
Article by: Jacki Moon HorneFri July 06, 2018 | 13:30 PM
There's so much more to Wanderlust – that now globally famous yoga, wellness and music festival hybrid – than stretching and posing on a mat. Below, we highlight the many incredible offerings, activities, and experiences Wanderlust rolls out each year for its nirvana-seeking attendees.
Asana Practice
Asana, perhaps the most well known form of yoga in The West, is the practice of physical postures. Wanderlust offers many asana classes for all levels of yoga practitioners. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or you’re just dabbling into the wonderful world of asana, there are definitely classes within your comfort level at the festival.
Breathtaking Natural Settings
All Wanderlust Festivals take place in gorgeous settings that are complete with natural picturesque backdrops. These views are guaranteed to make all attendees’ hearts fill with gratitude. Make sure to take in all the scenic beauty while at the festival.
Chef-Prepared Food
Chef-prepared, local and sustainable meals are part of Wanderlust’s offerings. These farm-to-table dishes are created to replenish the body after a long day of practicing yoga and exploring the natural wonders that surrounds the festival. Pro Tip: Wanderlust’s family-style dinners create a perfect environment for making new friends. Sit by someone new and strike up a conversation.
Dancing The Night Away
In addition to physical activities during the day, Wanderlust has DJ sets and live music at night. These high-energy performances on both the main stage and at the silent disco keep bodies moving and grooving. What better way to celebrate being alive than dancing the night away?
Exploration and Excursion
Wanderlust creates an opportunity to take meditation beyond the mat and into the outdoors. From biking trail runs to peaceful mountaintop meditations, this unique festival has something to satisfy everyone’s inner explorer’s lust for nature.
Friendships That Last
One of the many beautiful things about Wanderlust is that the festival is filled with like-minded people. This fosters an environment of genuine connection, which results in lifelong friendships.
Gratitude
Every moment of this festival creates an opportunity to feel grateful: gratitude for being alive, gratitude for being in attendance and gratitude to be experiencing some incredibly precious moments.
Holistic Health
Another one of Wanderlust’s offerings is an intimate and informal lecture series, which incorporates many topics on holistic health. Learn something new about the subject by attending one of these lectures from the conscious community.
Instructors Who Care
The yoga instructors who attend Wanderlust are world-class teachers from around the globe. Have an instructor show you a new pose, or allow one to guide you through a meaningful meditation. Either way, you are in great hands.
Joyful Hearts
Joy is contagious. That pure joy is evident when looking around a Wanderlust Festival, full of happy hearts and giant smiles. It must be all the heart-opening poses and farm-to-table meals!
Knowledge
One magic thing about being human is that we are always learning, and there is plenty to learn at Wanderlust. Whether it be knowledge of yoga tradition, asana poses, or environmental action, this festival offers an open learning environment through classes, lectures and experiences to continue expanding the mind.
Live Music
The 2018 Wanderlust lineup at its flagship in Squaw Valley includes an eclectic list of DJs and live musicians, including funk band Orgone, modern blues singer Xavier Rudd, and sound pioneer DJ Drez. Soak up the diversity of sound, and move your body whatever which way it desires.
Meditation
Chances to meditate are offered both on and off the mat. Whether your style is a guided shavasana or a personal mountaintop meditation, there are plenty of opportunities to find that sweet spot of peacefulness and reflection.
New Ideas
Be inspired at Wanderlust. Attend lectures, strike up thought-provoking conversations with fellow yogis, and explore ideas during the duration of the festival.
Out of Your Comfort Zone
While there are classes for all levels and styles of yoga practitioners, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. If you normally gravitate toward strong and sweaty asana, try a yin class. Mix it up and thank yourself later.
Practicing Mindfulness
The act of practicing mindfulness comes in many different forms. Mindfulness activities are the entire intention that Wanderlust is built around, so remember that during your experience. Stay present in every activity you pick during this choose-your-own adventure style of festival.
Quiet Time
Meditation and internalization allows us to be quiet enough to listen to our own inner voice. Embrace the quiet time and learn from it.
Relaxing Yin Classes
If you are nursing an injury or if sweaty asana is not for you, fear not! Wanderlust offers many relaxing yin classes to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.
Speakeasy Talks
This laid-back lecture series provides attendees with the opportunity to learn a plethora of new things. The topics discussed by keynote speakers are environmental change, holistic health, internal transformation and everything in between. Nourish your mind along with your body and soul.
Transformation
The transformation of Wanderlust starts from the inside and works its way outward. Open your heart and mind and watch the magic happen in your asana practice and daily life.
Unity
The word “yoga” is derived from “union,” so it comes as no surprise that a yoga festival would foster an environment of connection. Unite your mind, body and spirit, and unite with other amazing human beings in this space.
Vinyasa
Choose your own adventure and choose your own vinyasa style. If you want a traditional classroom flow, you’ve got it. If you want to flow through a vinyasa on a stand-up paddleboard, that is also in the cards at Wanderlust!
Wandering – Externally and Internally
The outdoor excursions of trail-runs, bicycling and hiking allow for plenty of external wandering. However, half the magic is created within the internal wandering of meditations and pushing past one’s own comfort zone. Explore your own consciousness and learn something new about yourself.
X-emplary Balance
Balance in both the literal and metaphorical sense are both offered at Wanderlust. Balance in the physical sense can be found through asana practice by working on new balancing poses, and in the metaphorical sense through daytime mindfulness activities, and then after-dark dance parties.
Your True North
There’s a reason why Wanderlust’s tagline is “Find Your True North.” This festival truly believes in finding the height of one’s own happiness and potential in life. The folks behind Wanderlust live their truth in the belief that finding your True North is achieved through the personal practice of mindful and focused activity to maintain calm, focus and clarity. It’s evident in the events they create, and in the space these events hold for everyone in attendance.
Zest For Life
After a weekend of practicing mindfulness, dancing the night away and meeting new friends in a scenic location, I guarantee that you are going to go home with a rejuvenated zest for living. Make sure to share that feeling with everyone back in day-to-day life.