The Vibhasana Yoga Conference, happening November 5 and 6 at the Santa Clara Convention Center - right here at home for denizens of South Bay and Silicon Valley! - promises to share both ancient and modern wisdom by dynamically gifted teachers from near and far. With such a wide variety of styles and perspectives the energy will sizzle, and with such a thoughtful structure of options for participation this gathering will be widely accessible, including free beginners classes on both days. The Santa Clara Convention Center is a Green venue with ample lodging nearby. The free classes are first come first serve, so arrive a little early to claim your mat space.
The best part isn't even the national and local rock stars who will be sharing their collective wisdom and experience: all proceeds will be going to to support two projects benefitting children, one right here in the Bay Area and another in India, The Art of Yoga Project and Vibha, respectively. Anuja Chaudhri, the founder of Vibhasana Yoga Conference and of Almaden Yoga, specifically wanted a way to give back to children and to India, "because yoga comes from India. It's all about giving."
Anuja knows from transformation: Yoga is "so not about touching your toes." She's been practicing since she was a child. "I did yoga as a kid. My father forced us - thank God! It's about improving your health, improving your mental state.... It's all about meditation.... This is still how it is in India." Almaden Yoga Studio is a "very different community; very honest, very open. We have regular barbecues!" She wanted to bring not only people, but studios together in cooperation to support something greater than any of them alone. "I wanted it [the conference] to be very approachable, didn't want it to be very expensive. I wanted to involve as many yoga studios as possible." The organizing team made a list of 160 studios from San Francisco to Gilroy to Berkeley and Oakland and made contact. As a result, they not only have international teachers such as Dana Flynn, Giselle Mari and Sadie Nardini, but many well-known teachers who just happen to call the Bay Area home. Notably, several are donating their time and teaching in the spirit of the conference: Samantha Shakti, Linda McGrath, Kevin Collins and Berget Jelane. Ava and JC Wang of Yama Talent were instrumental in securing out of town teachers, the Santa Clara Convention Center provided a "great non-profit rate" for the use of the facility and Yoga Journal provided similar accommodation for the advertising at a non-profit rate.
Early bird pricing is in effect until October 23, and the discounts are significant, so sign up early. There is a wide range of options, from $25 for an individual lecture session to the whole weekend for $276 and the discount is 35% on the whole weekend or 15% on one day for early birds, plus two free beginners classes each day. In addition to the yoga goodness, you'll find booths from many businesses and organizations, including henna tattoos, Planet Granite, Medicine Yoga, Breathe Yoga, Almaden Yoga, Cindy's Hot Yoga and Sports Basement in Sunnyvale, the conference's sponsor. You'll also find a silent auction so you can add to your support of the admirable causes at The Art of Yoga Project and Vibha. Businesses who have donated products for bidding include Three Minute Egg, Sounds True, Planet Granite, Lululemon, Yoga Paws and other participating studios. Bumble Bar has donated some munchies that will be on hand.
Stay tuned and subscribe to this column for articles showcasing interviews with the teachers and with the organizations who benefit from the entire event, The Art of Yoga Project and Vibha. From what I've got lined up, you'll want to get to know these people and their work. So don't miss a single installment: subscribe and get each update as it appears, right in your inbox, as well as other tasty treats from the South Bay yoga scene (like interviews with John Berg of Samyama Yoga, and Tal Rachleff of the Yoga Teacher Telesummit!)
