The second annual Wild Roots Yoga & Wellness Festival will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at 411 Central Ave in Dolores.
Free yoga classes, wellness and nutrition information, massage, and education about community programs will be offered.
Organizer and yoga instructor Alana Connelly said the festival’s goal is to connect people with local health, wellness, and nutrition programs, and to promote the healing powers of yoga and massage.
“It is a way for the public to learn about the effective and more affordable natural therapies available out there to meet their health needs,” she said. “It is a fun, family-friendly event with a health education component.”
More than 15 vendors and professionals will be on hand to offer alternative medicine services and products, arts and crafts, body lotions, tinctures, and Tarot Card readings, plus more.
Some therapies to try out or learn about include Thai massage, craniosacral, innovative body work, reflexology, trigger point therapy, and reiki.
The Cheeseshire Cat food truck will serve breakfast and lunch items.
Human service organizations will have booths as well such as the Piñon Project, Renew Shelter, and local food banks.
The event will also have a focus on women’s health, with professionals in the field available for information and services.
“We want to offer a more natural approach with exercise and yoga, massage and nutrition,” Connelly said. “It is not only about physical health but mental and spiritual health as well.”
The festival will be held at the Wild Roots Yoga studios at 411 Central Ave., and in Flanders Park across the street.
Free yoga classes will be offered at 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. at Flanders Park. Free aerial yoga classes will be held in the studio at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Last year, many festival attendees tried yoga and aerial yoga for the first time with positive results, Connelly said.
“When you step out of your normal routine, you discover new ways to improve your health,” she said. “Good nutrition, yoga and massage builds strength, reduces pain, and increases the body’s natural ability to heal itself.”
The free festival to promote wellness appears to be filling a need in the community, she said. It has already grown from last year with double the amount of vendors.
“We welcome the public to come check it out, learn something new participate in free yoga classes, socialize, and get information,” Connelly said. “There is a good vibe about it on social media. We hope to grow it every year.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com