Mar 28, 2023 | Yoga Festival Experience
Spiritual People Launches with a Mission to Bring Communities Together to Thrive
There is an energy and healing that happens when people come together. It is an ancient truth that has been somewhat lost in our busy world.
This is one thing that the new app, Spiritual People, is aiming to address. At Spiritual People, we aspire to inspire. We believe that we are more alike than we are different and that it is by engaging with one another that we can build a better world. We are moved by the true meaning of mindfulness: to be aware of the present moment but also attuned to another’s mental and emotional state. We believe in cultivating clarity of purpose through emotional, spiritual, and physical health. We believe in taking care of our planet and in advocating for those in need. We want to create a shared experience for those who believe in having a positive impact around the globe.
Spiritual People wants to encourage and nurture the importance of having real-life moments. We are creating a vibrant community that connects like-minded people who may have never crossed paths before. We wanted to create a platform with tools that would make it simple to bring awareness of the whole wellness community whether in your city or the rest of the world so everyone can grow and thrive together.
Fun fact? We’re coming to the 10-year anniversary celebration of Sedona Yoga Festival, with some very special opportunities to augment your conference. We want to help make SYF an incredible experience and connect you with the rest of the SYF community during your stay. Our features are designed to be fun, as well as helpful tools.
Join Up
We have created a special SYF social community so you can share and see what everyone is talking about at the festival.
Get Inspired
Enjoy learning about trending topics and the latest discoveries in health and wellness. Listen to a calming podcast on your flight or a curated playlist for a road trip.
Daily Prizes
Fun Spiritual People give away every day, with check-ins with the app.
Where to Go
We have a guide to all the recommended places to go in Sedona. Discover the best that Sedona has to offer.
Easy Meet-ups
Drop a pin, and share your location so everyone can save time.
Social Events
Find all the social events at the festival. We’re sponsoring a nature hike, where you can take in the beauty and get to know one another. Also, one lucky hiker will win a fun festival prize.
Connect here at Sedona and beyond. Spiritual People is a place to stay connected with all the new friends you have made over your stay at the festival. But, it is so much more we are focused on building a global platform to help wellness businesses to grow by connecting them with a vibrant wellness community. We can be the perfect matchmaker for individuals to discover events and businesses around them so they can connect with like-minded people and support practitioners and businesses that are committed to greater wellness for everyone. Spiritual People is for connection and discovering how as a community we can make a difference in each other’s lives and have an impact for good on the world around us.
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Find your people! If you’re a SYF2023 participant, be sure to download the app and set up an account before arrival. You’ll not only then have the opportunity to be entered to win giveaways, but you’ll have access to the connections, advice, and community-building opportunities mentioned above. Learn more and download for whatever device you use here.
Apr 20, 2022 | Yoga Festival Experience
The Conscious Expo is a signature SYF feature that showcases some of the best local and national mindful businesses, offering attendees an opportunity to shop small right from the comfort of the festival.
According to Deborah Williams, local teacher and longtime SYF work exchange Angel and attendee, the Conscious Expo is one thing that really sets SYF apart. Unlike other large yoga festivals that tend to focus on international sponsors and larger chains, at the SYF Expo, “there’s a lot of local people, so you get a taste of the community,” she says. “It’s not just things that are transplanted here for the festival. You can really get a feel for what is rising from the land.”
Local vendors are joined by regional purveyors and national mainstays. Here are just seven of our vendors who we hope you’ll visit at the event. Take a piece of SYF home with you to commemorate this transformational experience. Read on until the end for a surprise treat.
Mandalas: Sacred & Spiritual Art
As a renowned teacher and fourth generation artist, Paul Heussenstamm has been sharing his unique gift of helping people discover their Soul through his paintings and Art As A Spiritual Path workshops worldwide. Paul has created over 2000 unique and spiritual paintings while passionately sharing his artistic capacity to explore and create Sacred Art from many traditions such as buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. Paul gladly accepts commissions and offers the finest quality Giclee prints on canvas that he creates in his studio.
Pi Yoga Pants
Started by Larissa Miller after a trip to Southeast Asia, the mission of Pi Yoga Pants is to 1) Empower Women and Men of all shapes, sizes, race and religion to feel comfortable and confident on and off their yoga mat; and 2) Save the Sea Turtles! Pi Yoga Pants proudly donates 10% of net profits back to sea turtle conservation.
Mel Rowes Designs
Ethically-sourced handmade gemstone home decor and jewelry made lovingly by Melissa Rowe, based in Temecula, California. Featuring one-of-a-kind rings, skull art, pendants, coasters, sun-catchers, and more.
Yoganastix
Unique, inspiring, eco-innovative fashion that encourages you to wear clothing that reflects an outer-expression of your inner-state. Yoganastix believes that aligning with your values and being conscious of how you show up in the world is empowering. Apparel lines are made with sustainable, eco-friendly, and recycled fabrics, with integrity and love in the USA.
Essential Elixirs
Natural skincare products made with the natural healing properties of essential oils. Each elixir is handmade and in small batches to ensure potency, quality, and positive vibes. Also offers home care products and product bundles.
The Ritual
High-vibrational rituals for healing, self care, and living a spiritually-aligned life. Offering guidance and products for ceremonial rituals to enhance the process of connection to self and the collective consciousness.
Yoga Rocks
Yoga Rocks direct body weight into the pointer fingers and thumbs, allowing us to lighten in the heels of the hands where we almost always put pressure. Made from 100% silicone, Yoga Rocks attach to your yoga mat of choice to activate the muscles of the hands. Active hands encourage active forearms leading to optimal wrist stability and consistent strengthening.
Join us June 2–5 for the summer’s premiere transformational event! Save some money for the Conscious Expo and use code NIFTY50 for $50 your ticket. Enter on Eventbrite to redeem — good only through April 30, 2022.
Feb 26, 2019 | Sedona Yoga, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Yoga Conference, Yoga Festival Experience, Yoga for First Responders
Photo by Miguel Guzman at the 2018 Sedona Yoga Festival’s “Yoga for PTSD Training”
By Erin Byron
To large or small degrees, each of us lives with some form of trauma. In the past week, I’ve heard people identify trauma from common (though painful) life events such as parenting sleepless children, euthanizing a pet, or the illness of a loved one.
It is traumatic to go through a shock or profound loss in life. Are there ways to lessen the impacts or prepare ourselves? Research on PTSD and trauma say YES!
It is noteworthy that, while there may be a clinical difference between PTSD and trauma, the ways to ease their impact are the same. At the SYF Yoga for PTSD Training, numerous voices offer countless strategies, and the science behind them, to support you and your loved ones in healing trauma.
While we wait for March 14-17 to arrive, pick one of the following 3 ideas and start doing it today and let us know what happens when we see you at SYF2019. Betcha there’s a difference!
Do this first one anytime, anywhere to prevent or shift this…
1. Adapt your breath.
Notice I did not say, “Take a deep breath.” While a 5-count-in, 5-count-out is an adaptation away from shallow breathing, it is not the only option.
Instead, you can see what happens if you move only the abdomen instead of only the chest. Maybe you could sound the exhale or inhale with an ujjayi breath. I sometimes breathe out a merry “Ahhhhhh”, beginning on a high note and ending low.
There are infinite combinations of breathwork. Throughout the day, simply change how you are breathing and notice what happens.
The next idea arises from a yoga for PTSD study. Yoga is continually proven to help reduce traumatic symptoms. What I love about this study is the awareness and self-reliance.
2. Listen to your body and make your own choices in yoga class.
A study by Bessel van der Kolk, Laura Stone, and other researchers (2014) showed that when yoga students were invited to have curiosity about their bodily sensations and make their own choices about how long to stay in a pose, their PTSD improved.
In fact, by the end of the study, 52% of the yoga participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD! The yoga and their self-reliant practice had a dramatic improvement on their quality of life.
The final tool is simple. It is gentle, takes very little time, and can bring huge benefits to the mind, nervous system, and body.
“That’s me, at the Yoga for PTSD Training at the 2018 Sedona Yoga Festival.” Photo by Miguel Guzman
3. Use firm pressure to rub in foot lotion before bed.
That’s it?! Yes, it could change your life. Do this for 5 days and wait for revelations. (Bonus points for using sesame or coconut oil with a few drops of an appealing essential oil. I like orange and rosemary oils with a soupcon of ginger.)
Whichever of these 3 options you choose, I hope you have fun applying the new tool. Once it feels secure or habitual, begin to apply the next tool. You can return to this list or inspire yourself with other ideas.
For a wealth of ideas, research, and direct experience with effective practice, please join me and my friends and colleagues March 14 – 17 at the Sedona Yoga Festival, Yoga for PTSD Training. I can’t wait to learn, teach, and commune with you!
- Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD; Laura Stone, MA; Jennifer West, PhD; Alison Rhodes, MWS Med; David Emerson, MA; Michale Suvak, PhD; and Joseph Spinazzola, PhD. Yoga as an Adjunctive Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2014; 75(6): e559-65.
About the Author: Erin Byron
Erin’s Master of Arts research studied the benefits of Yoga practices in coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and the literary review of the study equipped her for helping people with a range of physical and mental health concerns.
Erin is grateful for the opportunity to support others on their personal growth paths.
Aug 23, 2016 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Retreat, Yoga Conference, Yoga Festival, Yoga Festival Experience
[addtoany] Photo: Alan Alcid
| Hi Marc,
Now is the pivotal time… we have been looking back, as we consider your feedback and pore over the 1000+ photographs of SYF2016… are we really at the point half way between last year’s festival and next year’s festival? And, looking forward we are super excited to share some awesome news with you in the SYF Newsletter! Below you can begin to visualize your experience, perhaps reminisce or plan for the future… if you buy your all-access pass by August 31st you will get the best price before it goes up the next day... Regardless, we are doing it together, as we always do… And next year, full expansion into our trifecta of neighboring, walk-able venues… And now we’re proud to introduce our newest venue partner and festival supporter: The Collective Sedona! Read on for this and more for a look back and a look forward. We hope to see you in Sedona in March if not sooner, in fact, we’re planning on it~
Namaste,
Team SYF |
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The COLLECTIVE Sedona is the best venue EVER for SYF!
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| We are so excited to announce that The Collective Sedona, adjacent to partner venue the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, is hosting the Sedona Yoga Festival 2017! The Collective Sedona is the newest lifestyle and cultural venue in Sedona featuring shops, art and culture galleries, wineries, breweries, and dining experiences that celebrate modern Sedona and honor its rich heritage. Nestled in Sedona’s red rock formations, the 13,500-square foot indoor-outdoor entertainment plaza is home to award-winning chefs, artists, fine jewelry, cultural collectibles, gifts, spa treatments, and events…it’s collection of “hot spots” has something for everyone. Just like SYF! Its a match made in heaven. Click here to see why you should include the Collective Sedona as part of any Sedona adventure… |
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Experience SYF2016 Again!
The photos are here! The outstanding photographers that showed up to capture the spirit of Sedona Yoga Festival are all featured in this album, and we’re excited to share it with you! Discover SYF through their lens and experience the magic (again!) Can you find a picture of yourself? Feel free to create galleries of your own and share them on our social media… Curate and share your point of view! Check them out here… |
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Latest from the blog: 5 Reasons Sedona Will Rock Your Asana…
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| Sedona, Arizona… The undisputed spiritual mecca of the American Southwest, red rock canyons, spires to inspire, the water element of Oak Creek Canyon, and of course, the ENERGY. No matter your beliefs or background, Sedona is sure to make you feel something. And it has been known since time immemorial to support … Read More |
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Introducing the SYF2017 Heart Center Conscious Expo Vendors
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| We simply cannot wait – but we must! – until it’s time to share all the details of what is coming together for SYF2017 (keep an eye out for next months newsletter and on social media for presenter and program announcements and more). For now, here’s a sneak peek at just a few of the amazing vendors who will be helping to generate the pulse as you stroll down Vendor Way through the Heart Center of Sedona Yoga Festival! Check them out! |
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Prices increase on September 1st. Invest in your All-Access pass now for the best price!
If you haven’t reserved your space yet, know that our Namaste pricing ends August 31st! Now is the time to save on your All-Access festival pass. Wake up in one of the most powerful places on the planet from March 9-12, 2017. Choose from a festival All Access Pass or the integrated Yoga for PTSD training for yoga teachers. Day passes also available now. BOOK NOW!
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| “Low on the yoga diva quotient. Easygoing and genuine community. Braced to feel self conscious and instead felt welcome and integral.” – Tess |
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| Remember~ Now is the best time to book your flight deals for March 2017 and book your lodging at our host property the Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa. With these and your All Access Pass in place all you need to do is dream – until you wake up in Sedona. |
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Thank You to Our SYF2017 Sponsors!
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Aug 22, 2016 | Yoga Conference, Yoga Festival, Yoga Festival Experience
Our team at the Sedona Yoga Festival is so excited to announce the 5th Season of Yoga Rocks the Park! Join us in Phoenix and Tempe to support the growing Arizona yoga community! Be sure to say “hi” to us at our SYF Booth! See you there!
Yoga Rocks the Park – Phoenix Celebrates their 5th Season with Complimentary Tickets for all 5 Yoga Festivals. Kick off for the 5th year of “Yoga Rocks the Park – Phoenix” on October 16th, 2016 at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, AZ.
Yoga Rocks the Park is honored this season in partnering with Namaste AZ (a local, community based magazine bringing like-minded and health conscious Arizonian’s together and founded by Sumit Banerjee of Sumit’s Yoga Studios). Namaste AZ also hosts the local “Namaste AZ Yoga Festival” held this year in September. Yoga Rocks the Park is excited to partner with Namaste AZ since they share the vision of bringing the yoga community together by “Creating Conscious Community” through yoga, music, and meditation. Southwest Institute of Healing Arts continues 
to be a National Sponsor for Yoga Rocks the Park and sponsors two of the festivals – Sunday October 23rd and November 6th at Tempe City Center in Tempe, AZ.
Although the festivals continue to be held on Sundays this year the times of the ‘yoga practice’ have changed from 1:00 PM to 10:00 AM. Registration and the Wellness Vendor Village will open at 9:00 AM offering many “aumazing” local vendors for your shopping pleasure before practice. Also, so that the entire family can participate in the festival, Camp YRP for the little yogis aged 3-10 opens at 9:30 AM and closes 30 minutes after completion of the yoga practice (approximately 11:30 AM). From 9:20–9:50 AM instructors from AcroBody, the first acro yoga studio in the United States, will be leading warm-ups including partner stretching and basic acro yoga before the regular practice. Following the AcroBody warm-up the regular yoga practice which features local leading yoga teachers and musicians starts at 10:00 AM and closes with a Gong Bath Meditation. The festivals close at 12:00 PM. Yoga Rocks the Park is supported through your generous donations and we greatly thank you
For more information please go to www.yogarocksthepark.com.
Aug 21, 2016 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Retreat, Yoga Conference, Yoga Festival, Yoga Festival Experience, Yoga for First Responders, Yoga for Vets, Yoga Interviews, Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Pre-Conference
Photo: Alan Alcid Yogi’s Vo Vera & LaMonte Goode Inverted in the Vortex
What can you expect at SYF2017…?
Photo: Alan Alcid Yogini Taylor Kurz
Well, the conference and festival itself evolves each year so there’s lots we will be unfolding in late September about the Who, What, When,and Where of it all. But the WHY remains steady. We create and nurture this platform and the relationships built within and around it for the purpose of uplifting and expanding human consciousness and providing Sedona transformations with a focus on yoga and meditation.
SYF is accessible to all, and there is truly an access point for the newest beginner as well as in depth networking, studying, practice, and continuing education opportunities for the professional. We believe this intermingling leads to authentic and powerful interactions.
Photo: Alan Alcid Taylor Kurz @ Bell Rock Vortex… Flying.
Have a look at the SYF2016 pages to get a taste of what’s to come in March 2017. We hope you will join us in Sedona, where the magic happens…
If you’re curious how we’ve evolved over the years, there’s a complete archive menu over on the “About Us” page.
Stay curious, friend.
