This Way to the Floyd YOga Jam
On the way to the Floyd Yoga Jam, I was thinking about Women’s Wellness Week, being on the same road to Indian Valley where the weeklong retreat used to be held, back in the early 90’s. The song “Woodstock” was playing in my head, but I changed the words from ‘I’m going on down to Yasgur’s Farm’ to ‘Burnette’s Farm,’ site of the Yoga Jam festival.
It was the first annual festival and the first of its kind in our region, focused on yoga, wellness, good music, sustainability and community. I had never been to Burnette’s Farm, family land of Mike Turman, festival backer/promoter. So, when I passed a field full old cars for parts, I thought for a second it was the festival site, but took a mental picture and titled it “Not Yoga Jam” once I got a better look.
The actual site came up soon after the junkyard and was barely visible from the road. Large tents were tucked away on nearly 400 acres, buffered by trees along a bold creek. The land probably could hold the “half-a-million strong” that Woodstock drew, but this festival was much sweeter, a rural oasis with room to grow.
After three days of attending and covering the festival for the local paper, I feel tired but also rejuvenated. It was such a high-spirited and hopeful event. I particularly got recharged by attending Susun Weed’s herbal workshops and weed walk. Ironically, Susun, teacher of the Wise Woman tradition, was involved in the early days of Women’s Wellness Week. She taught many of us in the community how to make medicinal tinctures and nourishing infusions and was a formative influence in our lives.
I feel enriched by all the conversations, interactions and learning that I experienced, and the backdrop of fantastic music and play.
I’m busy at work on a story for The Floyd Press, but here are some teaser video clips. More to come …
Read the story I wrote about the Yoga Jam for Natural Awakenings Magazine HERE.
September 3rd, 2012 1:35 pm
As I may have said before, it seems that all you guys do is party. What a fun place to live.
September 3rd, 2012 1:37 pm
Anyone who loves yoga or workshops on wellness and good music and dance, should make a point to come to this festival next year.
September 3rd, 2012 3:55 pm
I was thinking something similar to Tabor—There are so very many Joyous “doings” so to speak, in and around Floyd—-There is always something of ‘community’ and ‘celebration’ going on there ALL the time. And this one looks like it was great!
September 3rd, 2012 5:36 pm
WOW! What a pack full 3 days! I would love to go…..the videos were fun to watch and gave us even a better idea of the the Yoga Jam!
September 3rd, 2012 7:11 pm
I have so many excellent pictures to come.
Joe is there dancing in the first video!
September 4th, 2012 8:08 am
I returned to SWVa from New England this past fall- specifically to Hillsville- apprehensive about the family, beautiful friends and yoga community that I was leaving behind. I set a goal to help build a yoga community in the area and was thrilled to find FloydYogaJam and Floyd in general as I perused the internet this winter looking for yoga! My cousin joined me this weekend- we took Dana’s class together- the festival, in general, was great! If you’re in the Hilllsville area… look me up- I’m teaching yoga in various venues.
September 4th, 2012 8:29 am
What joyous fun!! This is so inspiring..would have loved to be a part of this!!!
September 4th, 2012 9:24 am
Good to know, Yvette. Thanks for the feedback!
September 6th, 2012 8:07 am
[…] At the Floyd Yoga Jam this weekend I had a silly pint of beer. See […]
September 7th, 2012 12:59 pm
[…] Post note: Read more about the Yoga Jam and watch some videos taken at the festival HERE. […]