Catskill Mountain Yoga Festival

Catskill Mountain Yoga Festival

Catskill Mountain
Yoga Festival

July 27th, 2024
8:00am – 5:00pm EST


catskillmountainyogafestival.com

New Year Intention-Setting Workshop with Lara Land

July 27

Building Resilience w/Lara Land (Meet on Deck)
9:30AM – 10:30AM

Based on the newly released book, The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga. In this workshop, we explore quick simple yoga and other somatic-based practices for increasing the capacity to deal with our increasingly busy lives. Learn how to manage and decrease stress, and build your capacity to thrive under any circumstances. Discover which poses and techniques work best for you and how to incorporate them into your daily life for optimization.

Meet on Deck

July 27

Infinite Love & Healing Yoga Flow w/Lara Land
(Mountaintop) 1:00PM-2:00PM

Opening the space around the heart supports us in becoming more emotionally receptive, compassionate, and loving in our lives. In this class, we explore a number of back-bending and heart-opening postures suitable for all levels. These shapes counter the strain our bodies feel these days from hovering over our technologies and reawaken us to feelings of love, potential, and healing around us. Join me as we access our deepest breath potential, clearing out old grudges and promoting our best health, both emotional and physical.

Mountaintop

MAKE SURE TO INDICATE “LARA LAND” UNDER HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US.

2023 Happy Minds Summit

2023 Happy Minds Summit

Happy Minds
Summit

FREE ONLINE EVENT
AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 7, 2023


New Year Intention-Setting Workshop with Lara Land

Discover the best strategies and tools for managing stress, healing from trauma, depression and anxiety and other mental illnesses.

Learn how to optimize your mental health, to become more resilient and fully live life with greater energy and vitality. To truly thrive.

The Summit will start August 28th but you can PRE-REGISTER NOW to get your FREE 10-Day Access Pass to one of the most important mental health events for 2023.

ARE YOU READY TO BE MAKE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY?

To access the critical information to help you heal your mind, body and spirit? To understand why you suffer from chronic stress, anxiety or depression? To become aware of your own trauma and understand the impact it has on your daily life, whilst learning how you can finally heal and get back to living your best life?

Then the Wellness After 40 Summit is for you. It is a twelve-day, 100% virtual, on demand event that brings together 65+ of the world’s leading mental health experts – psychologists, therapists, scientists, researchers, and healers to share the most current research and insights on healing from and preventing mental illness.

You will have access to the tools, strategies, techniques and practices that will empower you to take responsibility for your mental wellness and to be equipped to face the stressors and challenges of today’s fast paced way of life! To develop the resilience and psychological flexibility to help you live life with greater hope, optimism, positivity and truly thrive.

So, get ready to take the first and most important step towards personal healing and building the metal fitness to fully show up in your life. To LIVE A THRIVING LIFE.

5 Reasons to go to a Yoga Festival this Summer by Mel Lotz

5 Reasons to go to a Yoga Festival this Summer by Mel Lotz

Too expensive. That was the main reason to keep me from going to yoga festivals for a long time. I thought, how many classes can one possibly take a day and how can it ever be worth it, spending so much money? I got the chance to answer my questions and review my doubts when I got invited to Yoga Conference Germany in Cologne. The experience reached far beyond the practice of yoga asanas. In those two days I laughed until I cried and I cried until I laughed again. I hugged strangers and became close friends with people I had known from yoga classes for a while but never really connected with. I sweat a whole ocean, I sang, I danced and slept like a baby – and overall I felt inspired, happy and in love with my life.

Yoga festivals are a special and sometimes life changing experience. I cannot wait to check out the numerous yoga festivals of North America: In summertime there is a yoga festival happening almost every weekend in the United States and Canada. These events can be pricey, yes. But they don’t have to be: Almost every festival offers selected classes and side-events for free. Most of them have spots open for volunteers that donate their time to support the festival team in exchange for attending classes for free. So, money considerations shouldn’t necessarily stand in the way.

If you are still not sure about whether a day-long yoga celebration is the right jam for you, here my top 5 reasons to at least give it a try.

 

  1. Relax and Re-new: A yoga festival is an active mini-retreat


If a yoga class can be your mini-break from everyday routines of moving (or mostly not moving) and thinking (or mostly worrying), a yoga festival can be a mini-retreat and your go-to when you need quality-time for and with yourself. You might need time to unwind and relax or space to be inspired and feel alive: Yoga festivals give you both and so much more.

Whether the event is happening in a far away place or right in front of the door: As soon as your feet touch the festival grounds you are entering a completely different world. Everything here is set up to make you feel awesome! Far away from your daily routines and to-do-list(s) all you need is to exhale stress and enjoy the offerings of the program to relax and energize. Yogis are known to be a mostly positive, warm and open community wired to connection, so don’t worry to come along on your own or bring a friend if you can.

 

Summer 2017: Yoga Festivals in the USA

You need a time-out from daily routine and a chance to re-boot your system? You are craving new impulses for your yoga practice and inspiration for your life? You would love to meet a bunch of inspiring people and make new friends? Don’t waste a lifetime: Grab your mat and hop on an intense ride of yoga, meditation and music. 

Shakti Fest
May, 12-14, 2017 in Joshua Tree, CA

SoulFest NYC
May 20, 2017 in Harlem, NY

Downtown Yoga Festival
May 20-21, 2017 in Salt Lake City, UT

Wanderlust
June 9-11, 2017 in Snowshoe, WV
June 22-25, 2017 in Bondville, VT

Nantucket Yoga Festival
July 7-9, 2017 in Nantucket, MA

Telluride Yoga Festival
July 20-23, 2017 in Telluride, CO

Beloved Festival
August 11-14, 2017 in Tidewater, OR

Floyd Yoga Jam

August 31 – September 3, 2017 in Floyd, VA

Bhakti Fest

September 7-11, 2017 in Joshua Tree, CA

 

  1. Learn from masters: Renowned yoga teachers share their personal practices

 

Yoga festivals usually invite the most renowned teachers from all over the world that have dedicated their lives to yoga. Some of them teach traditional Yoga styles like David Williams who was one of the first Western students of Ashtanga founder Pattahbi Jois in Mysore, India. Some teachers created their own yoga style like Dana Trixie Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi (Lotus Flow), Bryan Kest (Power Yoga), David Life and Sharon Gannon (Jivamukti Yoga). Some are known for their physical mastery of yoga poses like the Canadian yoga Goddess Meghan Currey. Others have specialized in the philosophy and mythology of yoga like Alanna Kaivalya.

Where else do we have the opportunity to meet and practice with so many different expert yogis on one day? It is extremely inspiring and motivating to listen to and learn from passionate teachers who live what they are teaching and teach what they are living.

 

  1. Be inspired, stay inspired: Time to explore and discover new sides of YOU


Most of us in everyday life stick to our one or two favourite teachers and beloved routines without hardly ever trying something new. Yoga festivals are a great opportunity to explore new territory: Most yoga festivals offer a wide range of yoga styles and related topics. The die-hard Power Vinyasa Yogi might discover the bliss of Yin Yoga. The serious Ashtangi may fall in love with the playful Acro Yoga. One might explore mindful and fun “sister” disciplines like aerial yoga, thai yoga massage, dance, hula hoop or parcour. The other might find the time and peace to dig into meditation and breathing techniques.

As much as we need certain routines to save energy, the constant drive on auto-pilot, that many of us so easily get trapped into, can eventually make us feel chronically tired or even depressed. A week-end in the vast and colourful yoga-world is opening the door to step out of our comfort zone: Meeting new people and absorbing new ideas can inspire us to a new perspective on our practice and on our life.

 

  1. Unity in Diversity: Meet your tribe and celebrate togetherness


Yoga attracts people of diverse cultural and social backgrounds. While the diversity of the community makes part of its beauty, separating concepts of our mind like age, nationality, gender, religious beliefs or political backgrounds dissolve into a sphere of acknowledgement, yet insignificance when you meet in yoga pants.

Breathing and moving together creates a sense of belonging with others around you and really brings the uniting practice of yoga to the forefront. Being present at a yoga festival allows us to celebrate that fact with other like-minded people, from all over the country or even the world, while celebrating the wonderfulness of the practice itself.

Heading to your first yoga festival? This is what you need to know.

* Best deal: Look for Early Bird Prizes OR apply to be a volunteer: This way you are supporting your favorite yoga festival and get to go to classes for free. Yay!

* First come, first serve: Reserve, if possible, or come to classes early and save your spot: Most workshops, especially those of very popular teachers, will be filled and sold out quickly

* Plan your day ahead: Prepare a schedule with favorite classes and one alternative class. That way you can quickly re-schedule if needed, and you still have enough time to go to a different location.

* Plan wisely: It is best to alternate asana classes with physically less demanding classes like meditation, massage or mantra chanting. That way you are less likely to burn out and can enjoy the practice even more.

* Food and water: Don’t forget to take breaks to eat and digest. Most yoga festivals cater with delicious vegetarian and vegan meals and desserts. Treat yourself – your body needs the nutrients and hey, this is your quality-time, remember?

* Pack list: You might need to bring your own yoga mat as not every festival offers rental mats. Also: Water bottle, towel, enough yoga wear to maybe change during the day and a cardigan or sweater for cosy savasanas, healthy snacks like fruit and nuts, flip flops for changing locations and public bathrooms, tigerbalm for sore muscles, tampons, since the next drugstore might be far, and a personal journal to note down every spontaneous insights you will probably have

* What to expect: Hundreds of happy and gleaming people in pants or shorts. It can be overwhelming at first but don’t shy away: You are one of them. Latest after the first class you will feel it.

* Don’t forget: Unless you are practicing aparigraha, Sanskrit for non-greediness or temperance, you might want to bring some extra cash and extra space in your luggage. There will be some stands with tempting yoga wear, ayurvedic oils, yoga books, malas etc…

 

  1. Wild and free: Wholehearted living outside the comfort zone


It is this open and safe space of acceptance that can open doors you might not have known even existed. Suddenly you catch yourself climbing on a stranger’s body in acro yoga as if you were born to do so (most probably your are). You take the courage to try that handstand off the wall and fail in laughter. You gaze into a fellow student’s eyes in a partner meditation and don’t feel shame for tears running from your own eyes. You sing and dance your heart out at the Kirtan concert and forget that, just a minute ago, “chanting” didn’t seem to be your thing at all.

Words cannot describe sufficiently what exactly makes the seemingly impossible possible. It is a heart opening mixture of intense practice and a supporting and warm community that melts away inner limitations and, beyond fear, (self-) doubts and shame wakes a deeper truth of ourselves: We are full of potential. Our life can be ecstatic and adventurous. We are wild and free.

__________________________________________________________

Melanie Lotz

As teacher and student, Melanie is dedicated to the fluid and creative yoga practice of Laughing Lotus NYC. With a background in Modern and Contemporary Dance, somatic education like the Alexander Technique and Traditional Thai Massage, in her yoga classes the German native combines her love for healthy alignment with her passion to inspire a life full of expression, truth and love. Melanie wants to watch you become the most radiant and happy version of yourself.

You can follow Melanie on
www.melanielotz.com
www.facebook.com/melanielotzyoga/
www.instagram.com/melanielotzyoga/

Harlem EatUp is Back!!!

Harlem EatUp is Back!!!

The Taste is the Ultimate Harlem Grand Tasting event! Enjoy UNLIMITED food from 35 Harlem restaurants plus a large variety of wine, spirits and beer. Your Taste ticket includes access to The Harlem EatUp! Market and the EatUp! MainStage where you can watch cooking demos from Harlem and National Chefs, and much more.

To purchase tickets and use the 20% off code, HEUp2016a4, go to Second Annual Harlem EatUp Festival -… and click on Enter Promotional Code just above the Order Now button!

 Get 20% off tickets for “The Taste” on Saturday or Sunday May 21 and 22 with ourDiscount Code: HEUp2016a4

Three and a Half Acres Expands Services

Three and a Half Acres Expands Services

Julia Knight, Area Manager, Independent Consultant with Arbonne International, visited our Three and a Half Acres young adults at Harlem United H.O.M.E. center last Tuesday to teach them about nutrition, skin care, and cleansing. The talk began with the passing around of one of her products, a Vegan, Chocolate Protein Shake made of yellow pea protein, brown rice, and cranberry. This tasty drink is Kosher Certified, gluten-free, and contains no whey or soy.  Hearing it was healthy had some of our students skeptical at first, but soon everyone was asking for samples as each saw his friend raving over how good it was.

As the questions rolled in, Julia shared some simple health facts to help guide the young people in making informed choices. Here are some that really stood out:

  • Diet Soda contains aspartame a chemical linked to a long list of diseases including Parkinson’s and Diabetes.
  • Processed foods that a marketed as healthy can be misleading. Eating whole foods and fresh fruits and vegetables every 3 hours is better for our energy. Healthy fats like avocado and olive oil aid the body.
  • We are not what we eat but what we absorb so having Pre/ Pro Biotics helps our body get the most from our food and create a healthy gut.  Having more fiber in our diet aids the body in removing toxins and makes us feel more full. When we remove toxins we reduce inflammation and improve our health.
  • For optimal health for skin, brain function and digestion, once should drink plenty of water. Julia recommended that we drink 1/2 our body weight in ounces. IE: if you weigh 150 you drink 75 ounces of water. In addition, to add another 8 oz of water if you have a cup of coffee or glass of alcohol.

In regards to skin, Julia spoke of her own personal history with Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.  The inspiration she received from her dancing daughter while she lay in bed recovering from her Melanoma Surgery birthed the poetry for a film installation called SKIN, a meditation. The beauty of being “in our skin” and appreciating others SKIN, and having the freedom to authentically express ourselves was a theme of Julia’s; woven into her sharing on health and product choices.

Here are the skin facts she shared:

  • 0ur skin is our largest organ, and products we apply to our skin bypasses filtering organs of liver and kidneys. It is our most effective delivery system. Julia spoke of the animal rendering found in over the counter products and its toxicity, pointing out that what we put on our skin goes into our organs in just 26 seconds.
  • Mineral oil is found in 98% of all body care products and make-up in the US. There are over 100 names for mineral oil. It is a cheap filler made from the distillation process of gasoline. Using products with mineral oil actually prematurely ages and dehydrates the skin…second only to the sun. Using essential oils and plant based, vegan products are better for caring for the skin. Mineral oil is even found in pop-tarts and Cheetos!
  • Parabens, are linked to causing breast cancer. These are used to extend the life of a product sold off a shelf. 5-10 years. Chemical fragrance and Phthalates are also found in many products to cover up the smell of animal rendering. A 3 Billion dollar industry.

The class ended with another sampling, this time a hand lotion made from the FC5 line, with Strawberry, Kiwi, Mango Carrot and Pumpkin extracts. She left each one of the participants with Skin Care samples from the Calm Line, the Re9 Men’s Skin Care line and the FC5 line to take home, hand outs on the Arbonne Business and an Article that covered 7 steps to being a love activist by Alice Walker.

Julia is an Area Manager, Independent Consultant with Arbonne International.  www.juliaknight.arbonne.com  She is a Co-Creator and Producer of SKIN, a Meditation. With Creative Partner, Valerie Barnes, and Sound and Set Designer,Timothy Cramer, and Contributing Artist, Photographer, Kimia Rahgozar. www.eyelovemyskin.com She is an actress and has performed on Stage Film and TV.  SAG-AFTRA Member.  She has a BFA in drama from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She lives in Harlem with her family, and loves being a part of the Land Yoga Community.

Her offering is a part of our newest commitment at Three and a Half Acres Yoga to offer a holistic health workshop once a month to our students at the H.O.M.E. center, in addition to our twice weekly yoga, meditation, and mindfulness programming. If you have an offering and would like to volunteer, please contact us at [email protected]. If you like the work we are doing and would like to help it be sustained and continue to grow, please consider joining us March 15th for our annual benefit or making any sized contribution here. If you like stories like this one and to keep informed of all we are accomplishing at Three and a Half Acres please join our new mailing list here. Certain opportunities and information will be given only to those who opt in, so we hope you do!