Donald Teuma-Castelletti
THORNE Aug. 17-19, 2018
The sixth edition of an annual yoga and kirtan festival returned to Thorne last weekend, drawing hundreds to attend workshops, concerts and many more activities built around the theme of sustainability.
Bhakti in the Woods saw attendees travel in from across Canada, the United States and even across the pond from Belgium, to attend, seeking to join others in discussion and enlightenment on what it means to be ecologically-friendly.
“It’s a similar theme of people being aware of the environment, and their inner environment,” said festival organizer and host, Bermalva Porter. “It’s come in a different way than what we planned.”
Porter explained that herself and other organizers had pictured the theme of sustainability being discussed in more environmental and technological aspects. However, workshops soon became focused on spirituality, on looking inwards and into nature for personal preservation and renewal.
She explained that many teachers had approached the festival offering their workshops connecting to the theme in this fashion, and soon enough, it had expanded to their biggest year yet in terms of the number of yoga classes, activities and musical performances planned.
One workshop that really stood out to not only Porter but other attendees of the festival was Robbie Anderman’s discussion on The Healing Trees. This one looked at healing everyday issues, like allergies and other ailments, through the use of the trees surrounding Anderman’s off-the-grid home in Wilno Hills, Ont.
Porter said the discussion was interesting because it looked at the trees as their own community, and how they provide a support network for each other, but all of life around them, too.
There was certainly plenty of life on this property in Thorne, where they also saw some of their largest numbers attend yet. Porter said the Friday night had seen upwards of 70 people attend, and by Saturday afternoon, attendance had climbed to over 225.
She estimates that much of the appeal to guests is that their festival occurs so close to nature, far away from much of the distractions of loud vehicles and other disruptions that take away from the open discussion and tranquil yoga classes.
“People really want to connect with nature, and be in nature,” said Porter, adding that the festival serves a clear need in the region because it incorporates the kirtan (spiritual chanting) aspect into it.
With over 10 vendors on-site, providing services like massage therapy or selling organic coffee and other treats, 11 planned concerts, 15 workshops, and 14 yoga classes, plus opening and closing ceremonies, guests were lucky to have a second to take a deep breath and appreciate everything around them.
It also proved popular amongst whole families, with parents pushing children in strollers or leading older ones in yoga stretches. One such parent, Nick Van Dusen-Schultz, from the Gatineau area, said he and his wife only brought along half of their children, but found plenty to keep the whole family busy.
Admitting they don’t really go anywhere without the kids, especially as they have some of their crew still under the age of five, Van Dusen-Schultz said he felt it was a bit of a gamble to attend, but that his wife was very interested, so they went ahead with it.
However, upon arrival he was pleasantly surprised at how accommodating the entire festival is, even providing a play zone for the children, and that they felt it was a safe and pleasant atmosphere for their group.
