Discover Bodhi by the Beach at the 2014 Bermuda Yoga Festival

Practicing planks and up dogs with views of sapphire-soaked water and coral reefs sounds like a dream come true to this island girl. The soft pink sand of Bermuda is better than any yoga mat I’ve ever used. It seems that the Bermuda Department of Tourism thinks like me. Kind of a scary thought for them, but cool for me.

The Bermuda Yoga Festival will be held at the Fairmont Southampton Bermuda April 3-6, 2014. Yoga fans from the United States, Canada and the U.K. will be able to enjoy the blissful blush of Bermuda’s beaches while learning and enhancing yoga skills.

Yoga retreats and festivals have become increasing popular within the global tourism sector, making beach and tranquil locations a prime spot for yoga enthusiasts and destination travel opportunities. Partnering with the Fairmont Southampton, The Bermuda Department of Tourism has initiated and sponsored the Bermuda Yoga Festival to develop this tourism niche in Bermuda.

Along with wellness speakers and kirtan musicians, local Bermuda yogis will be in attendance with their international counterparts. Many different schools and styles of yoga will be represented at the 2014 Bermuda Yoga Festival, including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kundalini, prenatal and postnatal yoga and yoga asana in the water.

Not an expert yoga devotee? No worries. The Bermuda Yoga Festival offers beginner classes as well as advanced workshops, inspirational talks, chanting and music. There will be something for any level of yoga follower to enjoy.

International presenters include:

• Elena Brower – yoga
• Beryl Bender Birch – yoga
• Swami Asokananda – wisdom talk / yoga
• C.C. White – kirtan artist
• Nischala Joy Devi – wisdom talk / yoga
• David Newman (Durga Das) – kirtan artist / wisdom talk
• Faith Hunter – yoga
• Rusty Wells – yoga
• Kia Miller – yoga
• Sue Elkind – yoga
• Camella Nair (Swami Nibhrtananda) – yoga

Bermuda Yoga Festival evenings are devoted to the sounds of kirtan under the stars. Kirtan is a “call and response” type of chant, a song of praise that lets the listener be actively involved in the devotion or worship service. Performed in India’s bhakti traditional services, kirtan involves chanting hymns or mantras with the accompaniment of instruments such as drums, hand cymbals and harmoniums, or reed organs. Story-telling or acting sometimes accompanies kirtan.

With a goal of drawing yoga enthusiasts from around the world to visit the beautiful island of Bermuda, the Bermuda Yoga Festival also encourages local community members to give yoga a try. The Bermuda Yoga Festival is sponsored by the Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Fairmont Southampton.

Tickets and Lodging

The cost of the Full Festival Pass is $455. Two-day, one-day and half-day passes are also available, and range from $85 to $235. The Friday and Saturday evening kirtan events are $55 each or $95 for both. Please visit ptix.com for information and purchasing of Bermuda Yoga Festival tickets. Group rates are available for overseas certified yoga instructors.

The Fairmont Southampton

The primary partner of the Bermuda Yoga Festival is the Fairmont Southampton. Located along Bermuda’s beautiful south shore, the Fairmont Southampton is a premier, luxury hotel overlooking pink sand beaches and turquoise-toned waves. Hotel amenities include 11 golf courses, a kids’ camp, an award-winning spa and a Golf Magazine top 5 par-3 18-hole championship golf course as well as several restaurants, a dive center and oceanfront beach club.

For those interested in booking a room at the Fairmont Southampton, please call the Fairmont Global Reservation Centre at 1-800-441-1414. Be sure to mention that you are booking for the Bermuda Yoga Festival 2014.

Check out GoToBermuda.com for lots of hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and guesthouse options, as well as bunches of other Bermuda information. You can also check out all kinds of Bermuda travel activities, family fun and excursions at AFAR.com.

Travel to Bermuda

Bermuda is located about two hours from most East Coast departure cities, which makes it a convenient destination for a long weekend or a quick taste of the tropics. American Airlines is offering festival-goers a five percent discount. Other airlines that fly to Bermuda from the U.S. Include Delta, Jet Blue and United. Air Canada and West Jet fly from Canada, and British Airways from the U.K.

For more information, please email bdayogafest@gmail.com or visit bermudayogafestival.com. Visit the Bermuda Yoga Festival Facebook page at Facebook.com/Bermudayogafestival.

I fell in love with the charm and laid-back feel of Bermuda on my honeymoon, and have been a Bermuda buff ever since. Though I’ve only recently discovered the benefits and peacefulness of yoga, I am completely in favor of taking a little retreat to one of my favorite places. How about you?

The Bermuda Yoga Festival is sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Fairmont Southampton Bermuda and American Airlines.