Why World Yoga Festival
Yoga practice originated in India about 5,000 years ago and is now popular throughout the world. Yoga can be the path to total health and fitness of the mind and body but only when approached in a holistic manner.
The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali define yoga as "the stilling of the changing states of the mind". The eight astanga (limbs) of yoga are as follows:
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Yama - Moral or ethical code
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Niyama - Self purification and study
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Asana - Postures
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Pranayama - Breath Control
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Pratyahara - Withdrawing of the mind from the senses
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Dharana - Concentration
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Dhyana - Deep Meditation
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Samadhi - Union with the object of meditation
But only Asana and Pranayama are regularly practiced leaving the majority of the other faces of Yoga unexplored.This festival has been created to explore all aspects of Yoga in a fun and enjoyable way. The festival gathers together a revered collection of Yoga masters from all disciplines in a tranquil and serene setting embedded in nature.
This is your opportunity to learn the following from true masters of Yoga, Meditation & Wisdom.
World Yoga Festival is hosted by ARSHAKULA FOUNDATION. UK Registered Charity No. 1171708
Five Elements
The wisdom traditions of the East describe the world as made of five elements Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. In their subtle form (imperceptible to senses), they are collectively responsible for our Mind and our Prana (Life forces) and in their physical form, they are responsible for all matter in the universe including our bodies.
The World Yoga Festival logo celebrates the wholeness of the Universe (both seen and unseen) by symbolising the four elements as contained in space. Our meditative gratitude to the power and harmony required to keep the universe in balance is the essence of this festival.
Space: the subtlest of all elements, is associated with sound.
Air: associated with touch plus sound inherited from space.
Fire: associated with sight plus sound and touch inherited from Air. Since fire is the first form that we can perceive, it has often been the primary focus of worship throughout the world.
Water: associated with taste plus sound, touch, and sight inherited from fire. Water is tasteless, the reference point for all other flavours.
Earth: associated with smell plus sound, touch, sight and taste inherited from water.
Our bodies occupy space and we breath air to oxygenate every cell in our body. Heat is an essential component of life and we are mostly comprised of water. Our very raw material comes from the elements of the earth. We live and breathe because of the five elements and through them we are all connected.
Our Inspiration
We take our inspiration and direction from Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati and the other great masters of the authentic Yoga traditions.
We seek the blessing of the great masters to perpetuate the priceless knowledge they showered on us all.Their legacy lives on.
FOUNDERS
Sonali
Sonali is the heart of the World Yoga Festival. To her, everything needs to ‘feel’ right not just look right. She sees beneath what others see, and balances the energies of the seen and the unseen in perfect union to create a holistic experience. A skilful Reiki master, she has studied many of the Eastern wisdom traditions.
Ram
If Sonali is the heart, then Ram is the head of the World Yoga Festival. A computer scientist by training who is continuously surprised by the meticulous logic of the ancient Yoga traditions of posture, meditation and wisdom. He runs classes on Vedanta and has one of those voices that put people to sleep in guided meditations!
Our Team
Aidan
Aidan is Site Manager and is responsible for turning a green field into the beautiful festival that we know and love! Every piece of infrastructure on-site has had the magic touch of Aidan and his site crew. Aidan has been part of the team since 2018 and understands the quirks of the festival build better than anyone.
Krishna
Krishna takes care of Arshakula and Yoga Festival Websites. She is also a very passionate dancer and finds it the best way to relax. World Yoga Festival has been a great inspiration for her to stay close to her roots and culture
Will
Will has been with us from the first festival in 2016 and is invaluable in festival operations. Car Park operations is his speciality.
Ana
Ana has volunteered at the World Yoga Festival for the last 5 years and from the first year felt that this was her second home. She has since become a full time yoga teacher herself and loves the authenticity that this festival brings. Yoga brings everyone together from all walks of life and Ana can’t wait to help make this wonderful festival happen! Ana manages the volunteer team at World Yoga Festival.
Mima
Mima assists the admin team and oversees the festival’s regular online classes. A dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher, she has a deep passion for yoga and Vedanta, which aligns with the festival’s mission of sharing authentic wisdom traditions. With a background in hospitality and corporate environments, she brings strong organisational skills and a love for creating meaningful experiences.
Cristina
Cristina takes care of production and marketing for World Yoga Festival. Having been part of the journey since the early days in 2016, she has been instrumental in shaping the festival and helping it grow. She brings to us lots of experience working with events and festivals across the country, where she has advised them on many aspects from marketing and social media, to gate management and ticketing!
Priya
When not leading the charge on tent decoration and bunting at the festival, Priya is a versatile resource and can turn her hand to anything from drawing the festival map to advising on festival layout and content.
Ellen
Ellen is a qualified Primary School teacher with specialist training in child, special needs and teen yoga.After teaching yoga at a children's refugee camp in Dunkirk, Ellen went on to complete Special Yoga training for children with ADHD and Autism. She is trained in Teen Yoga and works in a secondary school Autistic Unit, teaching pupils in one-to-one sessions.The World Yoga Festival has been instrumental for Ellen’s growth and passion for yoga
Rob
Robert has been a friend of the festival right from the start.
He is the ‘go to’ person when there are problems to solve.
He can turn his hand to any task from head of IT sorting out the Internet and payment machines to artist liaison making making sure that the performers are happy.
A truly flexible member of the team and a great asset.