14th annual event offers meaningful programming from new Mountain Village campus

If from June 23-26 these mountains feel like they have even more light, love and energy than usual, that’s because the Telluride Yoga Festival will be in full swing with the varied and meaningful range of programming that is its hallmark.

Organizers describe the annual gathering as a unique and special four-day event that this year features over 100 offerings, including yoga, meditation, music, hiking, a river rafting trip, SUP yoga, wellness and wisdom talks, sound healing, social gatherings and more.

As the festival — the longest running yoga festival in the United States — celebrates its 14th year, Festival Director Erika Henschel agrees that when TYF is happening, the vibe in the twin communities of Telluride and Mountain Village is simply radiant.

“When you have people come together who are committing to a weekend of connection, awareness, breath and movement in a place like this, which is so special, there is bound to be collective positive energy and vibe that comes from that,” Henschel says. “We like to think that TYF fosters a community that is loving, healing and, ultimately, a weekend that can provide a platform for our attendees to receive some juicy nuggets that they can access long after the festival is over.”

This year, world-renowned teachers, artists, and scholars will lead classes at the festival’s new campus in Mountain Village, which is connected to the historic town of Telluride via the free stroller-, pet-, access- and bike-friendly Gondola.

“We are really excited about our move to Mountain Village,” Henschel explains. “We feel that the plazas and spaces are going to make for a natural campus and home for the festival. The move came from the need for more lodging central to the festival, which Mountain Village offers, but it will also be easier than ever for attendees to grab a quick bite to eat, take a nap back at the hotel, or change for a hike between classes.”

She continues, “We also hope that this move will keep the festival accessible for as many people as possible and that it will be easier for people to find relatively affordable lodging near the festival.”

Henschel is equally enthusiastic about this year’s lineup.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting Krishna Das at the Telluride Conference Center on Saturday at 8 p.m. — his deep voice is such an iconic kirtan sound and it’s been years in the making,” she says. “We’re also really looking forward to having Faith Hunter, who is the author of Spiritually Fly and who truly embodies strength while being a bright light. We’re excited, too, to have Kia Miller and Tommy Rosen back after a number of years, and to be bringing some of our favorites like Gina Caputo, Amy Ippoliti and Karl Straub back.”

As her conversation with telluride.com winds down, Henschel emphasizes that for her and fellow festival organizers, the Telluride Yoga Festival is about “purposeful travel”.

“I hope that yogis who come make Telluride and Mountain Village their home for the festival this year will take from it what they came here seeking,” she says. “Whether that is a renewed sense of purpose, a reconnection with nature, a lighter and happier perspective on life or just feeling good about having had a wonderful weekend with friends – I want them to leave with joy and a sense of personal transformation, whatever that looks like.”

To purchase tickets or to learn more about the Telluride Yoga Festival, the lineup and the schedule, visit tellurideyogafestival.com.