2020 Vision: Clarity Of Purpose

Setting Your Intention for a Meaningful Decade

It’s Resolution Season, y’all! Which means for the next six weeks or so, it will be virtually impossible to enjoy a nice meal with your newly minted (and probably temporary) vegan/paleo/keto/whatever friends. But now that it’s officially 2020, your friends at Sedona Yoga Festival would like to suggest digging a little bit deeper than quitting carbs, starting a compost garden, or whatever it is you’ve decided to forego or build this year.

It’s a shiny new decade, after all—and that gives us all an incredible opportunity to fill our tabula rasas with brand-new intention for the next 10 years. Now, we’re not against carb cutters and whatnot; there is absolutely nothing wrong with resolving to live a healthier life. But did you know: simply having a defined life purpose can be good for your health, too? Multiple studies suggest that the pursuit of meaning supports a deeper and longer-lasting (eudaimonic) sense of well-being than living a more self-centered (hedonic) life.

Born in Fire

For those of us here at Sedona Yoga Festival, finding that sense of purpose was not only nurturing on a deeply personal level; it also helped to foster physical and spiritual healing for hundreds of total strangers. And, like so many transformation stories—with narratives crossing multiple spiritual disciplines—it all started with a fire. In Hindu mythology, the fire god Agni is an agent of wisdom and rebirth. But as always, transformation is not without discomfort.

For many years, conference co-founder Marc Titus was a trained wildland firefighter and served as Air Support Group Supervisor/Helibase Manager on the SW Area Type 1 Incident Management Team. It’s not like his life didn’t have purpose. He had dedicated himself to a life of service, protecting life, property and resources from catastrophic wildland fire: a job that requires perseverance and no small amount of personal risk. Then, during the catastrophic California Firestorm of 2008, in what is believed to be the worst aviation loss-of-life incident in wildland firefighting history, a helicopter went down. Nine wildland firefighters—Marc’s brothers in fire—lost their lives.

Yogi, Heal Thyself

For the next seven days, Marc helped to manage the heartbreaking aftermath of this horrific accident—which lived at the heart of an equally horrific natural disaster. And then, for the next 10 years, he struggled with a level of physical, emotional and spiritual chaos he couldn’t begin to understand. He didn’t have the language to express what was happening inside him. The people close to him struggled, as well; he was difficult to work with…to live with…to be with. But he got help. Ultimately, it took a 40-day stint in a psychological treatment center to even begin unpacking the mysteries of Marc’s significant post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Understanding PTSD—and getting the help he needed to rise from the ashes of his trauma—quite literally saved Marc’s life. Trauma-resilient yoga was a big part of the ongoing solution. So, years later, when Sedona Yoga Festival was in its infancy, festival co-founders Marc and Heather made it their mission to help others step out of the darkness. Today, our Yoga for PTSD Training has trained hundreds of teachers to help people living with PTSD. 

This life-changing immersion is a complete 20-hour certification track offering training in all the ways yoga benefits trauma survivors. Based on the understanding that trauma is held in our cells—that it’s physiological rather than psychological—our curriculum is rooted in yoga’s ability to heal the communication between mind and body with conscious breath, movement and concentration in a safe, secure and supportive environment.

What is it YOU Plan to Do? 

We’re fortunate to have an incredible platform with which to spark healing on a grand scale. And, from the beginning, our Yoga for PTSD training has provided us with a meaningful way to give back to the communities that have supported us for so many years—from Marc’s firefighting peers and other first responders to our Sedona neighbors and the global community of yogis that has enfolded us over the past decade or so.

Maybe you’ve already got a favorite cause; if that’s the case, it’s the perfect time to recommit yourself to making a difference there. But if you don’t—yet—what a blessing! We encourage you to explore new ways to share your energy this coming year…and all the years after that. As renowned nature poet Mary Oliver once said, “Tell me—what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Read more about PTSD and Marc’s journey here.

The Greatest Gift

Why Giving Really *IS* Better Than Receiving
+ 5 Tips for Giving Selflessly this Holiday Season

We’ve all heard the old adage, and it’s hard to disagree. This idea, after all, spans multiple traditions and texts—from the Bible to the Bhagavad Gita and beyond. Early in the spiritual trajectory of American mystic Ram Dass, he asked his teacher, “How do I raise my divine energy?” To which guru Neem Karoli Baba replied simply, “Feed everyone. Serve everybody.” This concept of seva, or selfless service, is a kind of road map for the yogic journey.

But the trick, as it turns out, isn’t so much the giving part.

On some level, you probably already know that generosity feels good. There is evidence that the act of giving activates our brains’ pleasure centers—releasing dopamine (feel-good juice), serotonin (mood-regulating juice) and oxytocin (compassion juice). Can your kombucha do THAT? Didn’t think so. In fact, clinical studies link giving to greater happiness, reduced depression, lower stress levels, higher self-esteem, lower blood pressure and even longer life.

So why don’t we, as a species, give more? Answer: the ego. When the brain steps in front of the heart, we start to crave recognition for our actions. The ego may want acknowledgement, adulation, validation, reciprocity; any number of actions to complement our own. And suddenly, the good vibes we got from giving vanish—poof!—like Keyser S?ze. So, as we enter the time of year set aside for giving THINGS, your friends at Sedona Yoga Festival would like to suggest a wonderful alternative: giving of YOURSELF. Here are our top five seva tips!

1) Lazy Seva: Gifts of Donation. Hey, no judgment! We’re all busy, and this time of year is bananas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference just by opening your wallet. December is a great time to make a donation of any amount to a cause that’s close to your heart. From your local women’s shelter to an international clean-water organization, donating literally takes just a few clicks these days. Not sure where your money will mean the most? Get a watchdog: Charity Navigator and Charity Watch can help you narrow your recipient by cause, percentage of donations that go to overhead and even how much executives are paid. 

2) Free Seva: Gifts of Service. Sometimes, the best things in life really ARE free—and there’s always somebody who needs a helping hand. The cool thing about gifts of service, though, is how personalized (or not) you can make them. Got a friend who’s always complaining about the color of their kitchen, or the weeds in their yard? Spend a day helping ‘em out. An elderly neighbor who can’t shovel their walk? Lend a hand; they don’t even need to know it was you. In fact, anonymous volunteering to help those less fortunate may be the purest form of giving there is; you can’t crave acknowledgement if you’re a total ninja about it. 

3) Maker Seva: Gifts of Creation. Listen, not everybody’s crafty. We get that. If you’re one of those people whose “canvas & cocktail” creations never quite look like the example…SAME. But can you write a poem, or follow a recipe? If you’re planning to give actual gifts this year, we hope you’ll consider making something for the special folks in your lives. Trust us: a week of lovingly prepared freezer meals or a tiny watercolor painting, however “unprofessional” or “imperfect,” will likely be your recipients’ most treasured prezzies—this year or any year. 

4) Relationship Seva: Gifts of Sacrifice. Maybe it’s just us, but there are days—perhaps years—during which all we really want for the holidays is for the members of our household to STOP doing that one thing. And guess what? If you’re having that feeling about somebody else, you can bet your sweet asana that another household member has a similar wish re: you. So this year, why not make a solemn promise to NOT do that thing your partner, parent or kiddo doesn’t love all that much? Maybe your sweetie would prefer that you stay off your phone during meals, or your teen would prefer that you refrain from referring to things as “straight fire.” Let your recipient choose. No matter what they pick, your loss is their gain. 

5) Check Yourself Before…Well, You Know. What does Ice Cube have to teach us about seva? A few things, actually. If we’re putting a seva filter on our holiday giving, “check yourself” can have multiple meanings. First: go into the season with some healthy realism. There’s only so much of you to go around, so let’s not burn this temple to the ground over the next 30 days! This will not only enable you to enter the New Year with calm, grounded energy—it will also help to curb the resentment that can build when you’re overextended.

Second: if you do start to feel a pity party coming on, it’s either because (a) that pesky ego wants recognition for your actions, or (b) you’re actually filling others’ cups at the expense of your own. In either case, kindly check thyself and make some healthy adjustments. And finally, third: receive. Say it out loud with me: RECEIVE. As it turns out, your self-proclaimed seva season is a wonderful time to practice receiving the gifts around you. Whether a holiday traffic jam is ‘bout to teach you some patience, or your office Secret Santa made you some dodgy-looking mystery muffins, there is magic in the surrender. No wrecking required. 

Thanksgiving 365

5 Reasons to Cultivate Gratitude Every. Single. Day.

With the holidays comin’ in hot, your email inbox—rather, the entire internet—is about to fill up with “what are you thankful for?” missives and manifestos. And sure, it’s nice to spend a day with friends and family, enjoying a lovingly crafted meal and celebrating everything we hold dear. Usually. But as with most of our modern red-letter days, when we’re up to our elbows in casseroles and houseguests, it can be easy to lose sight of the day’s deeper meaning. 

But as yogis, we’ve all experienced the transformative effect of linking a series of individual events into a conscious practice—from mindfulness and meditation to asana or even healthy eating. So, on the cusp of the single day our culture sets aside for observing gratitude, your friends at Sedona Yoga Festival would like to invite you to make this feeling a part of your heart’s daily travels. Here are five compelling reasons to try it. It’s good for you…we promise!

1. Gratitude makes you happier—it’s SCIENCE!

If you’re already in the habit of keeping a gratitude journal, good for you…literally! According to research conducted by U.C. Davis psychology professor and leading gratitude expert Robert Emmons, people who take time to ponder the things for which they’re thankful experience more positive emotions, act with greater compassion and generally feel more alive.

In his two best-selling books (linked at the end of this post), Emmons recommends a simple gratitude journal as a great way to kick off the practice. While you might feel as if you’re always grateful for your partner, pet, home or health, the act of getting specific about the things you cherish—every day—can actually rewire your brain to focus on the positive.

The more granular you get, the better it works…and the more variety you have to keep the practice fresh day after day. For example: instead of writing “I’m thankful for my health,” try to dig a little deeper with something like, “I’m thankful for my strong legs, which carried me through the beautiful and inspiring Claude Monet exhibit at the museum today.” 

2. Your gratitude makes others happier, too.

Here’s a little more science for you: researchers studying positive psychology concluded that a single act of gratitude, such as saying “thank you” or expressing to a friend what they mean to you, produced an instant 10% boost in happiness and 35% decline in depressive symptoms. It’s incredible, isn’t it? Even better: the effects of these acts lasted about 3–6 months—so, while tiny efforts can have a deep effect, they DO bear repeating for lasting impact.

3. Gratitude gives love more staying power.

With regard to the lasting effects mentioned above—as it turns out, they’re even more powerful when applied to intimate relationships. In a study conducted by UNC Chapel Hill psychologists, researchers learned that expressing gratitude to one’s romantic partner created an environment of mutual appreciation. Participants noticed that their partners became more responsive to their needs as well as more satisfied with the relationship overall. And in this case, the afterglow stuck around even longer: about 6–9 months. Hello, win-win!

4. The TYFSAK Effect: Gratitude is good for business.

Before Target came along and made everyone happier whilst simultaneously emptying our wallets (neat trick, guys) much of America’s one-stop bargain shopping was done at K-Mart. You might say gratitude was a company policy; all employees were required to wear oversized buttons emblazoned with the mysterious acronym “TYFSAK.”

While these buttons originally served as a reminder for the checkout clerks to say, “Thank you for shopping at K-Mart,” eventually the buttons began to reinforce the message. Unknowing patrons would ask about them, which would trigger the expression; those who knew the acronym got a visual reminder. The bottom line: everybody got thanked, and people kept coming back.

More recently, researchers found that gratitude can also have a profound effect in the modern workplace. Particularly for those in leadership roles, expressing gratitude for a job well done has been proven not only to boost employees’ self-worth and confidence—but also to increase trust between colleagues and help to create a more collaborative environment.

5. Finally, gratitude is good for your health. 

Experts agree that gratitude is a social emotion—it requires that we acknowledge the good in the world, and affirm that much of this goodness comes from outside ourselves. These affirmations lead to the myriad of social benefits we’ve mentioned, from higher levels of happiness to lower levels of loneliness and beyond.

Wisdom On the Wing

Taking Flight with Our 2020 Faculty

Artists and authors. Healers and holistic practitioners. Ayurvedic and energetic experts. Philosophers and performers. Musicians and meditation leaders. Scientists and shamans. 

Yogis—and YOU. What do the members of this diverse, dedicated and delightful group have in common? We’re all part of the life-changing Sedona Yoga Festival. And it’s with GREAT excitement that we unveil our spirit guides for this year: the esteemed SYF 2020 faculty. 

RETURNING PRESENTERS: Your Advocates in Evolution

We’re blessed to be in a place to which people always yearn to return—so our 2020 roster is brimming with the wisdom of vanguard teachers from all over the country. Respected alum Sara Ivanhoe, a lifelong yogi who’s currently teaching the benefits of yoga for healthy sleep to students at USC, joins us again, while “yoga biologist” Dr. Sundar Balasubramian offers up his wealth of pranic expertise. Master Teacher Dana Damara brings a shamanic sensibility to her fiery and spiritual classes, along with beloved Kundalini “rebels” Ana Brett and Ravi Singh and ISHTA Yoga founders Alan and Sarah Finger. If you’re not signed up for our newsletter, please do (at bottom of page); we’ll be announcing new faculty as they join!

FIRST-TIME FACULTY: Empowering New Energy

Desiree Rumbaugh, Wisdom Warriors™ founder and author of Fearless After Fifty: How to Thrive with Grace, Grit and Yoga, brings her famously open heart to our offerings this year. We’re also excited to be holding space (and poses) for Yin Yoga founder Paulie Zink, who’s joining our faculty for the first time. Dianne Bondy, diversity/inclusion warrior and author of Yoga for Everyone, brings her welcoming warmth to the roster in 2020—along with Yogini on the Loose Gina Caputo, creatrix of Integrated Vinyasa™ and Founder/Director of the Colorado School of Yoga. Again, new presenters are joining the fold every week, so please check in often for updates. 

HEALING HEARTS: Yoga for PTSD Training (CEUs)

Yoga has always been a universal healing balm, particularly for those living with past or present trauma. With this in mind, Sedona Yoga Festival has always been passionate about empowering yoga teachers to nurture this unique community. Over the years, we are proud to have trained hundreds of teachers and impacted thousands of souls. Judy Weaver, Founder of Connected Warriors , heads up the Traumatic Stress, Resiliency and Healing with Yoga training faculty this year with Ravi Singh and Pete A. Sanders Jr. contributing. 

EXTRA, EXTRA: Expo, Sacred Sound, Energy Medicine + More

Acharya Shunya brings a wealth of Ayurvedic knowledge, and a range of energy medicine practitioners (including Robert W. Tumm, Sandra Walter, Anahata Ananda and others) will be on hand to help you fine-tune your resonance. As always, the whole conference will be awash with sacred sound, from healing kirtan with Wah! and Girish to the celebratory strains of Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band + more. And finally, this year’s Expo promises to be our most exciting yet—bursting with high-vibration food and drink, colorful conscious boutiques and so many wonderful reasons to gather with friends old and new. 

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY: Our Work Together

Now in our eighth year, Sedona Yoga Festival is honored to be leading the conversation,
and facilitating authentic connection between people, passion and potential. We couldn’t be more excited about what we’re creating. During a time when so much of the world feels dangerously beyond our control, we’re blessed to be able to offer YOU—the co-creators of our collective consciousness—this opportunity to come together in community.

From the spiritual heritage of yoga to the future of the practice as we know it, this is your chance to expand and explore under the guidance of our esteemed faculty, and in the embrace of your peers. Because here’s the great thing about evolution: by definition, it’s open to everyone. There’s no wrong place to start, and there’s no pre-ordained finish line. Even better: although mind-body-spirit transformation can be a deeply personal process, it’s also supported, empowered and amplified by community. Secure your spot today!