Hanuman Yoga Festival is returning to Boulder this June 13-16, and its theme “Keeping It Real” may be just what you need to unplug and stay present this summer.
In the world of yoga, constant messages of “self-love” and “self-acceptance” are starting to become diluted, making it more essential than ever to embody what these terms are at their core. To authentically cultivate self-love, self-acceptance and self-confidence through your yoga practice, we have to unplug, turn off the outside noise and show up to our mats, says Amy Ippoliti, featured yoga teacher at Hanuman Yoga Festival this year. We have to be real — that’s how we can take self-love off the mat, she says.
We have to unplug, turn off the outside noise and show up to our mats.
This year, Amy is leading a workshop called “Being Human: Yoga to Keep it Real” on Thursday, June 13 at 8:30 a.m. The discussion will kick-off the festival and embrace what it means to approach yoga from the standpoint of learning about who we are and putting forward our most authentic self.
“It’s about moving through the world from inner self-worth and inner self-confidence,” shares Amy. “And how we can use yoga philosophy to aid in that process.”
Our constant connectivity to social media takes us away from ourselves, she adds. We can return the gift of presence by allowing our practice to be a place where we come back to our humanness and our connections to other human beings.
“Hanuman has this really beautiful combination of students who are honestly curious about the depth and breadth of their yoga practice: the physical aspects and also yoga philosophy and history, and how it can transform their lives off the mat,” Amy says.“There’s this unbelievable sense of community and heart. It’s a pretty special festival.”
There’s this unbelievable sense of community and heart. It’s a pretty special festival.
Which is why she encourages you to show up to Hanuman this year, and not just watch its highlights on social media. Being there and looking at your community in the eyes has an irreplaceable effect, Amy explains.
According to Hanuman Festival, the gathering is meant to empower students to have a discerning eye towards that which keeps us from curating meaningful connections and happiness, with hopes of illuminating a shadow aspect of the practice will help us all return to our authentic selves.
Plus, Boulder is the perfect place to reconnect and delve deeper into your practice and connect with others. Known as a mecca for nature and yoga enthusiasts, you are steps away from farm-to-table restaurants and hiking trails at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
This year’s lineup features a panel discussion on Yoga, Climate & Earth Activism, yoga classes led by teachers like Gina Caputo, Yogrishi Vishvketu, Suzanne Sterling and Saul David Raye, Guided Rock Climbing workshops and much, much more!
Learn more about the festival and purchase your tickets at www.hanumanfestival.com.
Photos courtesy of Hanuman Festival.
