Festival Directors Alex Grant & Kate Little talk about what is in store for this year’s Spirit Festival – mantras, music, yoga, chanting and whole foods. a celebration of everything good for the inner you.
What is your vision for this year’s Spirit Festival?
Our vision for this year is to return the Byron Spirit Festival to Mullumbimby in an intimate and sustainable way.
We want to make the Civic Hall a real hub and not be so spread our as we have been in the past.
What do you offer people that they wouldn’t get at a local yoga class?
For one, the teachers at this year’s festival don’t teach locally.
They are international facilitators who call Byron Bay home. The topics of the classes are all special and are all themed to explore more deeply the subtle aspects of yoga.
Who are the people attracted to the event – do you have to be a competent yogi to get anything out of the sessions?
Not at all. There is much more than yoga. There are dance workshops, chi gong classes, shamanic drum ceremonies, tantra workshops, raw food talks and so much more.
Yoga is just a quarter of the offerings.
What are the healing modalities on offer at Spirit Festival?
Many of the workshops contain a healing component such as The Love Journey with Jeremiah Abrahms or Dr Robert Svoboda’s talk on ayurveda. There will also be talks on raw food and detoxing.
How do you think an event like this helps connect and create community?
This year, we are inviting the founders of the Bali Spirit Festival to connect and share their dreams and talents.
The event gives our community the opportunity to show the world all the amazing things that are happening in the Byron Shire.
What are the challenges in putting on an event like this?
The elements! And finding the perfect balance between festival and retreat.
Can you tell me what the highlights are going to be?
Some of the workshop highlights will be Dr Robert Svoboda, who is the first westerner to go to India to learn ayurveda; Mark Whitwell, who has studied with yoga master Krishnamacharya; Jo Cobbett, who is an international 5 Rhythms teacher; Clive Sheridan, who is a yoga and pranayama master.
What should we expect over the weekend?
The weekend will be a journey into our connection with ourselves and our community. From Amazing yoga and dance workshops to talks on topics such asw raw food, ayurveda and health.
From Friday to Sunday in the streets and halls of Mullumbimby.
For tickets and program information go to spiritfestival.com.au.
