Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on August 22, 2019.

For eight years now people up-and-down the east coast having been coming to Yoga Jam for its unique blend of music, yoga, dance and art.  Musicians and teachers have come from all over the country. They come to enjoy the rural outdoors, camp along the creek, celebrate, recharge and retreat.

Held on 400 acres of the Burnette Farm in Willis (5430 Indian Valley Rd NW), Yoga Jam is transitioning from a three day festival to four days, August 29 – September 1.  Festival founder and Living Light Yoga Studio owner Shirley Ann Burgess explains that this year’s theme “Infinity” relates to the 8^th year of the festival and the symbol for infinity, which is an 8 turned on its side. “We’re all looking for that infinite bliss and love and we can come together at Yoga Jam and get that through life-affirming and community-building experiences,” Burgess said.

Musicians will be performing a variety of music genres on Jamland’s main stage, in the dance tent and on a new grassy creekside stage that will feature porch music.  Headliners coming back are MC Yogi and Mighty Joshua & The Zion #5 (reggae).  Yaima, a dance trance band described as “folktronica” will be opening for MC Yogi on Saturday night.

“The band Satsang is amazing,” said Burgess when asked about some highlights to look for.  “They’re coming out from California.  They bring a kind of a reggae-infused folk rock with melodic hip hop and positive messages. We’re excited about them. They’re our headliner for Friday night.”  The Get Right Band, a psychedelic indie-rock group from Asheville, NC, is also featured Friday evening.

D.C. based Justin Trawick and the Common Good will be playing Americana. Jami Seiber, a professional cellist, is coming from Washington State.  Sunshine Deva, a “mantra rock” kirtan band is bringing a member of Rat Dog (pre-Grateful Dead band) to play with them. “It’s all about diversity, nurturing cultural curiosity and the imagination,” Burgess said about the range of performances and offerings.

Floyd talent is well represented at Yoga Jam.  Local bands include country music with Jim Lord, Wag the Dog,  Land of Joy World Music, Erica Joy, John Wilson, Jake Retting, Flirting with Chemicals, punk funk music with Her Majesty, hip hop jazz fusion with Apex and more.  Floyd’s own Music Road will be featured Sunday evening, followed by Richmond headliner Mighty Joshua.

Yoga, movement, meditation classes and workshop presentations include Yoga and Sound, Restorative Yoga, Laughter Yoga, Gentle Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Ying Yoga Meets Storytime with 10,000 Buddhas, Rise and Shine from the Inside Out with Katie Waitzin, Infinite Possibilities with Leslie Davis, Feel Good Flow and Rocking Asana with Rebecca Elsen, Serpent Prana Dance with Alana Leia Jones, Family Yoga with Jennifer Turman Bayliss, The Gateway to Self-Compassion and Kindness with Katherine Chantal, Meditation with InStill Mindfullness and more.  Several teachers from Yogaville in Buckingham, Virginia, will be teaching Integral Yoga classes in the tradition of Swami Satchidananda.

Homegrown and eco-friendly, Yoga Jam has always been a family festival with a Kid’s Village that is home to a giant sandbox, a bubble machine and children’s drum and yoga classes, which include Storytime Yoga, Family Yoga and more.  Named #1 Retreat Festival by Blue Ridge Outdoors, Yoga Jam also provides the time and setting for peaceful reflection.

Some of the Art Village offerings open to all attendees include Prayer Flag making, Painting as Meditation, Mandala Portrait painting, Fairy House building, Dream Catcher workshops and more.  Across from the Art Village, the People’s Playground features slacklining, Acro-Yoga, hooping and poi classes for everyone.

Rags Cobalt, a belly dance troupe out of Asheville will include Burgess’s daughter Suzanne. Professional and engaging clown, magician and juggler Gypsy Geoff, the Floyd Family Circus fire dancers, Imagine Circus stilt walkers and aerial dancers, cloggers and Roanoke Community Sing will all be performing.   Nature walks and plant identification, wellness speakers, food and craft vending, fire circle drumming and conversations at the Tea Shanti Speakeasy round out the variety of possible activities.  Food booths will include crab cakes, bison burgers, Thai food, along with Vegetarian fare and Vegan options. The beer tent will serve non-alcoholic drinks along with regional craft beer and wine.

Burgess wants the Floyd community to know that they can get a 20% discount off tickets by using the code FLOYDLOVE20 when purchasing tickets online and onsite.   “We still need volunteers. Twelve hours of work can get you a 4-day pass,” she said.

The opening circle, Friday at 1:00, will be guided by ceremonialist Katherine Chantal and dance yoga teacher Alana Leia Jones. Closing ceremony will be led Sunday at 9:30 p.m. by local artist Lore Deighan and Richmond folk band Lobo Marino. Floyd-based  master of ceremonies are Shamama and Susan Saunders. A first-time 5K race is planned with proceeds going to Healthy Floyd.  More information and a full Yoga Jam schedule can be found on the Yoga Jam webpage, floydyogajam.net. – Colleen Redman

Photos: 1. Shirley Ann Burgess at her Living light Yoga and Wellness Studio. 2. Art depicting Yoga Jam by Lore Deighan.