Oct 8, 2025 | Yoga Festival Experience
by Lisette Cheresson
Aparigraha, the fifth yama in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras — one of the moral codes for living as reflected in relationship to other people and the world around us — is the instruction of non-attachment. The yama is translated as a practice in letting go, non-attachment to the material, but aparigraha can also be interpreted as a type of spiritual generosity. We are practicing aparigraha when we come together with pure-hearted intention and purpose, when we give of ourselves to our community in a meaningful and inspired way, and when we are generous with ourselves so that we may contribute to collective uplift and growth.
Yoga conferences are opportunities to practice this form of generosity. Something powerful happens when people gather to breathe or flow together with this intention. A handful of studies in the social sciences have backed up this feeling, with the claim of the so-called “Maharishi Effect” — that rates of violent crime and conflict drop concurrently with large groups of people meditating together. When we practice aparigraha as spiritual generosity, we create the conditions for a better world.
This spirit is integral to the time that we find ourselves in now. “We have the opportunity to move into an era of collective creation,” says Heather Shereé Sanders, Producer of the Sedona Yoga Festival. “As we all emerge from what has proven to be a time of deep introspection — shadow work, even — and increased self-awareness, I anticipate that ‘self care’ begins to take the shape of community care.”
According to Sanders, as we begin to integrate the effects — both grief and growth — of the last few years, this is also a time of amplified manifestation. The Sedona Yoga Festival is held in the powerful vortex landscape of Sedona, Arizona, a place, says Sanders, that “amplifies the effects of the peace and connection we cultivate when we practice together over a series of days. It is revealing in that way. Sedona helps us see that we are not in traffic, we make the traffic.” But the idea of amplified manifestation transcends the physical.
This is also a time, says Sanders, for all practitioners of yoga (and all people, really) to recognize that each breath we take is in relationship with the whole experience of the world, that in fact we are responsible for it. Happening April 23–26, 2026, SYF will be an opportunity to “imagine the beautiful, abundant, equitable, and just societies that we can co-create, and learn the tools and techniques to positively contribute to that shared intention,” says Sanders.
The practice of non-attachment asks us to let go of our limiting beliefs of what is possible, and to allow for expansiveness of expectation and experience. This kind of generosity asks us to trade our focus on the self for attention on the Self; to recognize our importance as a part of the spiritual whole. Sanders says that SYF will cultivate this by offering classes on relationship — “relationship with the breath, with the natural world, and with one another.”
What does that feel like, then, to practice aparigraha as spiritual generosity? In the microcosm of SYF, Sanders says that “we intend that each individual who attends feels deeply — truly experiences — their individual relationship to the whole.” This year, for the first time ever, the Sedona Yoga Festival will be programmed by an entire team of seekers and thinkers, from diverse backgrounds and lineages. This will allow SYF to continue its signature practice of programming teachers who are not always drawn to the festival circuit, creating an even more fertile space for participants to emerge and imagine. “We want them to release, to ground, to be inspired,” says Sanders, “and to feel joy and inspiration.”
The joy is an important aspect here, especially as heady discussions of yogic philosophy and interpretation of the Sutras can feel heavy and laden with significance. The Sedona Yoga Festival allows for transformation because it is also a space to relish in the joy of being in community, the joy of being a part of something more, and the joy of being in a body, of having a physical experience. Joy is crucial to the practice of spiritual generosity, because it then does not feel like a chore. In joy we can co-create the creative and loving space to Emerge to Imagine a better world, and be inspired by what we find when we do.
Join us for the Sedona Yoga Festival, and experience the transformation of spiritual generosity in action. April 23–26, 2026. Tickets on sale now: https://sedonayogafestival.com/purchase-tickets/
Lead image by Josh Gray
Oct 1, 2025 | Yoga Festival Experience
In this time of technological advancements that allow us to connect globally we find ourselves asking what does it really mean to be in community? The word (and the idea) may have been co-opted by brands and companies, but when it comes to yoga, the idea of community is circumscribed in the idea of sangha. Sangha carries a weightier definition than a loosely-bound group of people with common ideology. Being in sangha includes practicing in an honorable way, honoring sacred traditions. It is gathering in community that allows us to glimpse the fact that we contain multitudes… That’s what the Sedona Yoga Festival is all about.
SYF is more than a brand community. It’s a convergence of purposeful community leaders who dive into participation and creation so compassion, inspiration, and peace may spread on an unprecedented scale. Nearly 70 percent of our participants are yoga professionals, leaders who share the ethos of yoga into their local community in a wide variety of ways.
“SYF is an incredible opportunity to connect deeply with the greater yogic family,” says SYF2025 participant and presenter Niki Saccareccia, eRYT. “The carefully-curated offerings and concerts represent the multidimensionality and intersectionality of true yoga and supports professionals and students alike. As a professional, I enjoyed the panel discussions and deep dives on important topics as a leader in the field, the option for CEUs and the trauma-informed lens that many of the presenters spoke through. Movement classes are available as are land excursions, a book fair, longer workshops to go deeper into study and concerts at night make this festival a truly well rounded and enriching experience. Highly recommend you come, even if you’re new to yoga!”
SYF Producer Heather Sanders says it’s her calling in life to hold space for true community development and transformation. She believes that by participating in SYF, local leaders may be inspired, renewed, and refreshed to continue the work of spreading the principles of yoga through their individual worlds. She sees our studio partners, presenters, and other partners as the thread that carries SYF through the year and into people’s lives in a real, tangible way. ‘
“While we’re gathering for a meaningful and transformative experience, we’re converging community leaders,” says Heather. “Connecting with those leaders is what carries the thread of SYF, allows for the teachings and learnings of SYF to really take root and be carried through the local communities throughout the year.” It’s how SYF creates the ripple effect to spread the true teachings of yoga for the greater good.
We’re gathering in Sedona to create meaningful relationships and provide an authentic experience of yoga so that you may cultivate a peaceful and resilient foundation within yourself and shine it out in the world. We hope you’ll join us for this transformative gathering by participating in SYF2026 on April 23–26, 2026! Passes on sale now.
Words by Lisette Cheresson
Lead photo by Ty Dobbs
Sep 20, 2025 | Sedona Yoga
Community as a Practice
by Jivana Heyman
The below is an excerpt from Jivana Heyman’s book, The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga. Reprinted with permission.
Often when I teach about how collaboration supports accessibility, I’m usually referring to a collaboration between teacher and student, which can be incredibly powerful. But there is also the collaboration that happens within a group of students. They can support and encourage each other in essential ways. So it’s important to reflect on how you can help to build a positive yoga community that is supportive, welcoming, and safe for all your students.
When I spoke to Michelle Cassandra Johnson, she explained how community building is an outcome of humility because it shifts power from the individual teacher to the group. It’s an acknowledgment of the healing power of the community. I love the idea that a yoga community is more than its lead teacher or teachers. It is the community itself that is key. It reminds me of Thich Nhat Hanh’s famous saying, “The next Buddha will be a sangha.”
Personally, I find group classes to be a very different experience from my home practice. The group offers support and encouragement and a sense of camaraderie that inspires and motivates me. Cultivating a healthy community is one of the truly special opportunities of teaching yoga.
The stereotype of a lone yogi sitting in meditation in a cave is more mythology than reality. Community is itself a yoga practice because it’s about learning to see yourself in others—which can be hard to do. This idea of transcending our individualism is a thread woven throughout the history of yoga. You can even see it in the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita:
As your mind becomes harmonized through yoga practices, you begin to see the Atman in all beings and all beings in your Self; you see the same Self everywhere and in everything.
Ironically, to facilitate the inward journey of the yoga path, we need outer support. Support in the form of a loving community. Sangha, spiritual community, is helpful in inspiring practice as well as keeping us on the path when we’re struggling. This can be a lot simpler than it sounds. It can simply be a group of students who become yoga friends, bound together by a welcoming teacher.
While we all benefit from community, Accessible Yoga classes may include students who are particularly isolated. Isolation can be unhealthy mentally and physically, so creating opportunities for community-building is not only a nice idea, but a very effective technique for supporting students in general. As a teacher, consider ways to support connection and community. This could include:
- Having students introduce themselves at the beginning of class or doing a quick icebreaker.
- Learning your regular students’ names.
- Creating space before or after class for conversation.
- Encouraging students to support each other. They can connect and form friendships outside of class in a way that may not be appropriate for you as the teacher.
- Thinking of activities for the students to do together, such as form a book group, or create a fundraiser for a cause they are interested in supporting.
Learn more on Jivana’s website, and then practice with him in-person at the Sedona Yoga Festival in March! Tickets on sale now.
Lead image by Danielle Holman.
Apr 28, 2025 | Sedona Yoga
From local kava lounges to retail stores nationwide, botanical supplements are making their way into the mainstream. Not all plant-based products are created equal, though. Botanic Tonics, with manufacturing in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is setting high standards in the botanical supplement space with their commitment to quality sourcing and responsible production.
What Makes Botanic Tonics Different?
Botanic Tonics has vertically integrated their supply chain by purchasing a kava farm in Vanuatu, while continuing to support small, individual farmers who grow and harvest kava the same way they’ve done for centuries. The company’s products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified production plant in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where every batch undergoes rigorous testing for quality and consistency.
What Does feel free CLASSIC Offer?
feel free CLASSIC is thoughtfully crafted to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. The experience varies from person to person, which is why Botanic Tonics emphasizes education and responsible consumption.
What’s Inside?
Botanic Tonics offers two main product lines, both available in tonic (2 oz bottles) and capsule form. Both formulations are designed to provide benefits within 15–30 minutes of consumption, with effects typically lasting 2–4 hours.
feel free CLASSIC: Contains kava root and leaf kratom. Each bottle provides two servings, with clear instructions to consume only one serving (half a bottle) at a time and no more than two servings in a 24-hour period.
Important: feel free CLASSIC is only for adults 21+. This product contains leaf kratom which, like caffeine and alcohol, can become habit-forming if consumed irresponsibly. Consider avoiding potentially habit-forming substances if you have a history of substance abuse.
feel free: Contains kava root, naturally-caffeinated kola nut (100mg per serving), lion’s mane, and rhodiola. This formula does not contain kratom.
Commitment to Quality
Botanic Tonics takes product safety seriously. Their facility has high quality standards, which includes testing for pesticides, aflatoxins, and heavy metals. A certified third-party lab, along with their in-house laboratory, conduct tests on every batch to ensure product integrity.For those interested in learning more about the ingredients, their effects, and how to consume them responsibly, Botanic Tonics provides comprehensive educational resources on their website at botanictonics.com.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Be sure to visit Botanic Tonics at the their booth at SYF2025, May 1–4! Passes, including 1- and 2-Day passes are still available. Register here.
Apr 23, 2025 | Sedona Yoga
Imagine the sound of singing bowls washing over your body, held by the sacred red rock beneath you. Vibrations travel through ancient stone and resonate throughout your being as golden sunlight bathes your skin. Or imagine, in Warrior 2, your breath synchronizing with the gentle breeze whispering through juniper trees — you are surrounded by the healing reds, greens, and blues of Sedona’s energetic landscape. In the distance, Cathedral Rock stands sentinel as you find yourself completely present. Eyes are closed, heart is open, mind is still. Even in the calm of practice you know that this is so much more than a yoga class; it’s a transformational journey facilitated by the energetic vortexes of the land that both amplify and deepen your connection to self, and the Earth.
The Power of Mindfulness on the Red Rocks
Practicing yoga and mindfulness on Sedona’s red rocks creates an experience unlike anywhere else on earth. These ancient formations are not merely a stunning backdrop — they’re active participants in your journey. The land’s unique electromagnetic properties create energy vortexes that practitioners have sought for generations. Iron-rich composition provides grounding energy while the vast open spaces overhead invite expansion of consciousness and perspective.
Scientific studies show that when we spend time in nature, we dramatically reduce stress hormones and boost immune function and creativity. As a yogi, you know that mindful movement and meditation has a similar effect; there’s no doubt that the healing benefits of yoga and mindfulness are multiplied when practicing in this sacred land.
Aumbase Sedona: Your Gateway to Spiritual Exploration
Aumbase Sedona stands as the premier center for authentic spiritual and wellness experiences in the heart of red rock country. Founded by practitioners dedicated to honoring both ancient wisdom traditions and modern wellness approaches, we specialize in creating sacred connections between people and this remarkable landscape. Our experienced guides are not only certified yoga instructors but also deeply knowledgeable about Sedona’s geology, indigenous history, and energetic properties. We offer daily classes, workshops, retreats, and private experiences designed to meet you wherever you are on your path—whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or taking your first steps.
This year, we’re honored to partner with the Sedona Yoga Festival for exclusive On the Land Journeys. These curated experiences combine the festival’s world-class instruction with Aumbase’s unparalleled expertise in Sedona’s sacred geography. Participants will enjoy sound healing ceremonies where crystal bowls harmonize with the natural acoustics of hidden canyons, gentle yoga flows on smooth red rock platforms with 360-degree views, and guided meditations at powerful vortex sites. Each journey includes transportation from the festival grounds, expert guidance, and specially selected locations that showcase the breathtaking diversity of Sedona’s landscape while supporting your inner exploration.
Join Us for a Transformative Experience
It’s not too late to join us for these extraordinary land journeys during the 2025 Sedona Yoga Festival, May 1–4, 2025! Limited spaces remain for these intimate experiences — past attendees have called Land Journeys the absolute highlight of their festival experience. Don’t miss your chance to experience them.
Use code AUMBASE10 for 10% off all Passes, and stop by the Aumbase booth at the Conscious Expo to learn more about how to make the most of your spiritual journey in sacred Sedona. The red rocks are calling — answer with your presence, your breath, and your open heart.
Lead image by Ty Dobbs
