The second annual Yoga Fest in Porpoise Bay Park last weekend more than doubled its ticket sales from last year. Money generated through sales will be going towards financing yoga classes for those in need.
“It was so fantastic to see so many smiling faces and to fill the park with such a blissed out vibe,” co-organizer Georgia Cyr said.
This year the Sunshine Coast Yoga Society sold just over 150 tickets for their two-day event; last year 70 tickets were sold. Fifty volunteers and teachers participated.
“The best part is, by coming together to celebrate yoga and our community, we have raised money that will enable us to spread the love back to our community and assist those with limited funds who are in need of yoga practice,” Cyr said.
The total costs and sales haven’t been finalized yet, but Cyr estimated they raised about $1,000. She said they haven’t reached a decision on how to distribute the funds yet, but one possibility is to create a yoga bursary for teens with mental illness.
Cyr said that one of the main intentions of Yoga Fest is to unite the disparate yoga communities on the Coast and introduce yogis to different styles and teachers.
“We can meet different people that are all like-minded and just have a nice, wonderful day together,” Cyr said.
Pilates instructor Katherine Denham said she jumped at the chance to participate in Yoga Fest.
“I really believe that what I teach is very compatible to the yoga methods that are out there,” Denham said. “They complement one another. To be part of this community and to share this method, it’s an opportunity for yogis to explore something different.”
Yoga instructor Judy Swens teaches an alignment-based practice.
“I try to make it inspiring for others by teaching them the roots of yoga,” Swens said. “I also try to make it somewhat fun so it’s not too serious. In the end, I just want people to walk away with a different perspective and hopefully some more clarity.”
