Headstash

10 Workshops Not To Miss At Wanderlust Colorado

Photo Courtesy of Wanderlust

For the first time, Copper Mountain, Colorado will welcome Wanderlust Festival from July 5 to July 8. This boutique festival, set within one of the most beautiful mountain resorts in the world, brings together the world's leading yoga teachers, musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers, top chefs and winemakers and more for a blissful celebration of movement, art and life.

Wanderlust attracts a broad spectrum of individuals through the event’s commitment to building a community.

“We wanted to provide a place for people who share these values – mindful living, ethical consumerism and fair-trade fashion – to come together and commune,” Wanderlust co-founder Jeff Krasno said in an interview with the Travel Channel.

This traveling festival is now in its fourth year and has attracted over 21,000 attendees in its series of events in 2011. Aside from Copper Mountain, Wanderlust calls Stratton Mountain, VT, Squaw Valley, CA, and Coast Mountains, British Columbia home.

Photo Courtesy of Wanderlust

The musical lineup for 2012 in Copper Mountain features the smooth sounds of Ziggy Marley, the captivating performance of Quixotic and worldly beats of Gramatik, as well as many others.

Informal presentations will be provided by wellness experts like Deepak Chopra and Jamie Janover, focusing on subjects such as mindful living. Attendees will have the opportunity to stretch their bodies as well as their minds in yoga workshops guided by renowned yogis, Seane Corn, Shannon Paige, Shiva Rea and Rod Stryker.

Wanderlust festival tickets are a “choose-your-own-adventure” purchase – you can opt for “music-only” passes or go for the complete experience of picking from among three scheduled activities per day plus enjoy all-access to the concerts.

Tickets for each Wanderlust festival are still available starting at $395.00 for a three-day pass inclusive of three activities per day, access to all music and access to ski lifts. No camping is allowed in Copper Mountain.

With so many things to do during your Wanderlust journey, Headstash thought it best to provide you a sneak-peek into some of the best activities of the festival. While there are thousands of combinations you can put together to create your personal Wanderlust experience, here are ten that we cannot wait for.

Be sure to head over to Wanderlust’s “Create Your Schedule” page and reserve your spot in desired activities.

Photo Courtesy of Wanderlust

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1. YogaSlackers

YogaSlackers is an eclectic group of yoga adventure athletes who exploring the limits of human potential. The group specializes in gently nudging their students (and themselves) far outside their comfort zone and into the realm of ultimate growth.

Combining yoga on a 1 inch slackline about three feet about the ground, you will learn basic poses to practice on and off the line, Including standing, kneeling, sitting and arm balances. At Wanderlust Colorado, the YogaSlackers will be teaching, “Intro to Slackline Yoga” and “Redefining Balance,” both “all levels,” courses in the Hoopnotica Spin Circle.

2. Winederlust

As the sun goes down, Winederlust, taking place in Rue Boheme, offers a unique opportunity to kick back and enjoy wine and beer samplings from local, organic and biodynamic vineyards and breweries.

From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. each evening, attendees will have the opportunity to sample from local and environmentally conscious wineries while being serenaded by gypsy jazz performed by Stephanie Wrembel.

This is the perfect way to unwind after a fun-filled day at the festival or prepare you for a night of dancing at the Main Stage. Tickets are $20.00 a day, or $50.00 for all three days, and you can purchase them on Wanderlust's website.

3. Colorado Farm to Table Dinner

This high-end “farm to table” dinner will showcase summertime in the Rockies. Excite your taste buds with food from local agricultural producers along with the talent of Copper’s Chef Taladay in the beautiful Grand Hall.

Colorado’s farmers include Jumpin’ Goat Cheese, Honey Smoked Salmon, Red Bird Chicken, Colorado Natural Beef and Haystack Goat Cheese, along with fresh, seasonal produce.

While pricey, this once-in-a-lifetime meal is worth every penny. A $70.00 ticket includes a three-course buffet-style feast and two glasses of The Naked Grape wine. Space is limited, so click here to purchase your spot.

4. Shakti Sunfire’s Hooping Workshops

Shakti Sunfire is not only featured as one of Wanderlust’s performers, but as a teacher, too. Her passion-inspired movements have placed her as a leader in worldwide hoopdancing.

Traveling around the world, she tailors her Radiant Hoopdance courses to resonate with the specific location or student. This year at Wanderlust, Shakti Sunfire will be leading, “Hula Hooping and AcroYoga Free-for-All,” “Yoga Hoop Play,” “Magic in the Mandala: An Intermediate Hoopdance Experience” and “Wholehearted Hooping Basics.”

Customized for various skill and experience levels, be sure to check the schedule for which workshop fits you best. Check out her brief Main Stage performance on Saturday night from 10:00 to 10:20 p.m. and be prepared to walk away amazed.

5. Hike

Wanderlust offers a wide selection of guided hikes during various times of the weekend. We are looking forward to the, “Connect with Nature: Colorado Trail Hike,” with Leslie Ross, as it’s an adventure where participants will have the opportunity to learn about Colorado mountains and vegetation.

This 90-minute hike is sure to get your blood pumping and minds ready for the rest of the day. Offered four times throughout the festival, the activity is offered for free if you choose it to be one of your three daily events.

6. “Woodstock to Wanderlust – Festivals and Cultural Shifts of Consciousness”

We simply cannot wait for this lecture conducted by Dr. Ron Alexander and Shiva Rea on Friday, July 6 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Hay House “Speakeasy.” Here, speakers will discuss how large gatherings that celebrate music, expression and freedom have evolved, and what purpose and benefit they offer the freedom-seeking individual and society at large.

Festival evolution is a constant topic of conversation among jam fans, so this opportunity to dive deeper and cultivate new thought processes on how festivals have progressed is truly exciting.

7. “Meditation for People Who Think They Are Bad at Meditation”

In an over stimulated culture, the thought of meditation is sometimes impossible or seemingly unattainable. We spend so much of our time multitasking and the idea of taking time to just bask bask in the moment can be challenging.

In, “Meditation for People Who Think They Are Bad at Meditation,” on Sunday, July 7 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., instructor Ethan Nechtern will demonstrate how meditation is a natural ability, and how we can learn to abide in our natural awareness without judgment or qualification. 

This event is suitable for all levels, and will be followed by a brief question and answer period. This workshop will provide you with lifetime tools to live a better life.

8. “Wanderlust State of Mind” – Hatha Yoga Class

Just like it’s important to set intentions in your everyday life, setting an intention for your journey at Wanderlust is as imperative. Join yoga guide, Amy Ippoliti, Friday, July 6 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in Manduka’s Nest for an awakening session of hatha yoga.

Enjoy this deep exploration of contemplative forward folds, rejuvenating twists, pranayama (breathing exercises) and femur rooting hip openers. Featuring live music by Shamans Dream, Craig Kohland, Rara Avis and guests, this is a perfect class to kick off your weekend with the right mindset.

9. “Unifying Rhythm – Global Yoga Trance Dance for the Earth,” – Prana Flow Yoga Class

Join world-renowned yogi, Shiva Rea, Saturday, July 7 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Bighorn for an invigorating vinyasa flow course. Shiva and live musician Rara Avis will guide participants into the roots of trance as a rhythmically induced state of natural flow that is innate within all beings.

This free-flow class is encouraged for all levels of experience and will tap into the natural movements of each individual.

10. Quixotic

Hands down one of the best musical and performance artist acts of the 2012 festival circuit. After catching their late-night Main Stage performance after Pretty Lights at Wakarusa, I have been raving about them to everyone we meet since.

A fusion of a live rock orchestra and awe-inspiring aerial, fire and hoop dancing, Quixotic is the definition of art in motion. Make every effort to catch them on Wanderlust’s Main Stage either Thursday from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. or Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. We are seriously wondering why every festival doesn’t have Quixotic on the bill.

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Wanderlust 2012 Locations and Dates

Wanderlust Vermont: June 21-24 at Stratton Mountain
Wanderlust Colorado: July 5-8 at Copper Mountain
Wanderlust California: July 26-29 in Squaw Valley, North Lake Tahoe
Wanderlust Whistler: Aug. 23-26 in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada
Wanderlust LIVE: Year-round in Austin, TX