It’s time to shed old skins and transform at the second annual Mahabhuta Yoga Festival, from November 15 to 17, at the Sanders Beach Community Center, in Pensacola. The Mahabhuta Yoga Festival's mission is to celebrate yoga, elevate consciousness, unite communities, create abundance and inspire greatness. This second annual festival highlights the talents of regional yoga teachers, artists, healers and musicians from New Orleans to Seaside.

Twenty-four regional yoga studios will present workshops over the weekend, along with LED hoop performances, a marionette show, henna artists, numerous artists and yoga-inspired vendors. The Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band will offer Kirtan on Friday evening and on Saturday evening, Rising Appalachia will perform.

Other highlights include yoga, meditation, aerial swing and silk classes, kirtan and ecstatic dance, organic healing foods, artisan vendor village, featured artist Olivia Curry, of DreamNectar.com, a holistic healing spa and a kids’ tent sponsored by Galaxy Child Yoga.

The serpent is a spiritual sign of wisdom, rebirth, and spiritual growth, so what is of value this year are deep experiences and breakthroughs. In India, the wise serpent is said to be the guardian of the yogi and gains immortality by continually shedding its skin, always ready to spring into a new version of itself.

A portion of the proceeds will fund the Mahabhuta Yoga Foundation, which is providing one scholarship for a Gulf Coast resident to participate in a local yoga teacher training from a participating studio.

 

Admission to the outdoor festival grounds is free. Readers of Natural Awakenings may receive exclusive early bird workshop pricing until Sept. 30 by emailing [email protected] and using the discount code "Serpent". Eight workshop pass $200 (reg. $270); six workshop pass $150 (reg. $200); four workshop pass $100 (reg. $135). Location: 13 S. I St. For more information, visit MahabhutaYogaFestival.com.