Sedona is a magical place, and when I learned that there was going to be a yoga festival taking place in Sedona, I immediately signed up! This was actually the fifth annual Sedona Yoga Festival which generally takes place in February/ March time frame. The festival lasts for 4-days and includes over 200 workshops on a variety of topics, besides yoga, that included spiritism, meditation, communication, sound therapy, healing, nutrition and more.
I have read many books on spirituality, explored different practices, do yoga off and on, and am always open to trying new things. I was excited to be hearing from the 100+ speakers coming to the festival from all over the world and eager to learn more.
Here are my top takeaways from the sessions I attended. Note, a lot of it is my own interpretation of what the speakers might have said.
There’s nobody here or out there who can hurt you more than yourself.
Heather Shereé Titus, Director of the Sedona Yoga Festival advised at the opening ceremony to love yourself, and be the love you want to see in others. It is only your own practices, behaviors and reactions that can cause you the greatest pain. You yourself allow the negative or positive energies to flow into you.
Nourish yourself with asana, meditation and inquiry before helping others.
This applies more to people who teach, help or care for others. Gina Garcia, 500-hour certified Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga teacher and founder of Yoga Across America (YAA), a non-profit corporation that teaches yoga and wellness educational programs across the country, conducted this extensive workshop. If the idea of teaching yoga is something that has appealed to you, then it could be worth having a look at https://www.siddhiyoga.com/become-certified-yoga-instructor to see the different ways in which you could train.
Avoid prescription medication and alcohol to protect yourself from fallen angels.
I did not know much about unwanted spirits attaching themselves to human bodies in the time when we are most vulnerable. Professional Energy Cleanser Herman Petrick talked about keeping a clear and balanced energy field, and how it can help with depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, re-occurring nightmares, chronic headaches, etc. These can all be worsened with alcohol use and so some find that Blessed CBD oil, or medical marijuana can instead help with managing their symptoms. It’s all about finding what method words best for you but you can find natural products like these at local dispensaries or even try growing the plants yourself. There are plenty of online shops if you’re looking to buy marijuana seeds for personal use that also offer tips for helping you get started.
Sound is an important vibration that helps relax and quietens the mind.
“Like a dinner bell, the sound of bowls can alert you for meditation,” said Ashana in her hands-on workshop with quartz crystal singing bowls. Though I did not buy any bowls, I have started playing flute, tabla, gamelan, meditation and yoga music during meditation, before sleeping and while lounging, and it has had profound effects.
Make superfoods part of your daily diet.
Until now, I knew what superfoods generally are and tried to eat them now and then. But Jeff Breaker, who represents Purium Health Products, emphasized that eating real food can make you feel better, help recover faster and enhance the spirit. He recommended eating organic greens, whole grains, soaked nuts, and filtered water. Also, eat as much vegan as possible and add a superfood shake to your diet. I have started making my own granola with organic oats, chia, flax, almonds, dried blueberries, agave, honey and coconut.
Energy flows through the gaze of the eyes.
In the session on Drishti by Sara Elizabeth Ivanhoe (yoga spokesperson for Weight Watchers), I learned how to focus on a still image to improve my yoga postures with fluid transitions. The same can be applied to everyday life by working on the third eye to see beyond time and space. Sara also suggested that using a yoni egg might help some women to achieve a deeper state of mindfulness. In case you are unfamiliar with yoni eggs, a yoni egg is literally a crystal ball that can be used as part of gemstone therapy. Essentially, it is believed that using a yoni egg can tighten and tone your pelvic floor muscles while helping you to reach a relaxed state. You can learn more about yoni eggs by doing some research online
When you want to connect with someone, look into their eyes.
Leah Misty and David Tietje of Thai Love Yoga did an interactive seminar on enhancing communication, which included Sacred Space Ritual, Soul Gazing, Thai Massage, Laughter Yoga, Connection Trio and Affirmation Circle. My husband and I gazed at each other’s eyes, gave each other gentle massages and exchanged words of gratefulness. I found this exercise very useful and repeat it every time I want to convey my message to another person in an assertive yet gentle manner.
Everyone is born with spiritual gifts. Learn to recognize and appreciate them.
I found Sunny Dawn Johnston’s workshop on intuition to be the most interesting as she talked about connecting with the spirit world. Every person has intuition, but sometimes cannot distinguish between mindless chatter and the angelic voice. To exercise receiving guidance we can raise our vibrations (through music, yoga, dance, nature), play intuitive games, and start trusting ourselves.
Chocolate is good for the soul.
Some of you may be delighted to hear that (good quality dark) chocolate heightens your sensations. In Yoga of Chocolate session, instructor Jyl Marie combined yoga poses with 100% organic Chocolate Tree chocolate tastings. Her aim was to use chocolate as a way of encouraging people to slow down and really taste, savor, and enjoy their present moment experiences, whatever they may be.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading this post and will come back for more!
