Don’t-miss wellness festivals on the West Coast

Written for Daily Hive by Monica Krake, founder of Head + Heart, a mindful calendar that helps people discover events and teachers to support their journeys.

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The word festival says it all. Embrace the moment, celebrate, learn, party.  If you’re into spirituality and wellness, the West Coast attracts several of the most notable yoga and spiritual festivals out there — starting in March and continuing through to September.

Each offers something unique, and possibly unexpected, especially if you’ve never been to one of these festivals before.

Here are a few of the festivals we’ve got our eye on attending, and the 411 on what each offers:

Samsarafest

Samsara, a Sanskrit word, means journeying, which is the theme of this beautiful healing and wellness festival happening just outside of Seattle. There may be some hugging, some crying, some stillness, some journaling, some talking, some circles…if you choose to participate.

There will definitely be a lot of play and celebration, human connection, positivity and healing. Over 100 activities have been planned across this 4-day immersion – including a yoga village, healing huts, nature immersion, live music, adventure activities, several hands-on workshops, inspiring talks, intimate circles, Ayurveda teachings, drum circles, farm-to-table foods, and inspiring vendors…all planned with great love and care by a team of incredible giving teachers and artists. No matter where you are on your journey, there is something special for you to experience at Samsarafest. Unplug for the weekend and enjoy all you encounter. 

Dates: March 21-24, 2019

Location: Enumclaw, Washington (near Seattle)

Blessed Coast

The fifth annual Blessed Coast music, yoga and arts festival will happen at the Cheekye Ranch in Squamish in July. Blessed Coast, as the name implies, is an invitation to experience some of BC’s greatest blessings: music, indigenous culture, top yoga teachers, speakers and wisdom-keepers, all while you’re surrounded by the breathtaking views of the local mountains and rivers.

Festival-goers will be immersed in a ton of local music and art, headlined by a variety of Coast Salish teachers who will be bringing their communal ceremonies to the modern context of this West Coast celebration. This is a family friendly and eco-friendly event. See the full schedule here.

Dates: July 26-28, 2019

Location: Squamish, BC

Wanderlust Whistler

If you are seeking to find your true north, head up to Whistler for Wanderlust this summer, where you’ll find a massive selection of the world’s top yoga and mindful teachers (this year’s teachers include Eoinn Finn, Janet Stone, and Cheryl Strayed) and a diverse range of yoga, fitness and wellness workshops and experiences to try.

Wanderlust is billed as an all-out celebration of mindful living and has been a go-to festival for wellness and yoga lovers for quite some time, which means you can pretty much be guaranteed a positive experience. Whether you are drawn to Acro, Hot, Ashtanga or Iyengar, outdoor excursions, fitness classes, inspirational talks or the bumpin’ music, you’ll find a whole lot of inspiration and positive vibes. Check their full calendar here. And if you can’t wait for August, you could head down to Wanderlust Seattle happening in May.

Dates: August 1-4, 2019

Location: Whistler, BC

Okanagan Yoga Festival

One of the few yoga festivals that includes wine as a central piece, the OYF invites people from the Okanagan and beyond to create community and immerse themselves in three days of conscious celebration.

From yoga classes to hiking to meditation to hands-on workshops and mindful wine tasting, you’ll leave feeling renewed and inspired. Set at stunning Spirit Ridge resort in Osoyoos, this is one of the top wellness festivals the Okanagan has to offer.

Dates: September, TBD

Location: Osoyoos

For those of you who may want to plan a wellness vacay further down the West Coast, check out Shakti Fest and Bhakti Fest in Joshua Tree, California, both of which offer affordable camping and some of the world’s most renowned teachers and mindful musicians.