By Jen Mullholand, 2014 Conference Blogger
As a yoga teacher of 10 years, I had yet to attend a yoga conference or festival and wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to attend. First off, most of the conferences that appealed to me involved travel to a rather expensive venue (like San Francisco or Lake Tahoe). Two hour classes cost on average $75 or more?! WHAT? And as much as I love getting together with yogis and talking all things yoga, I have been on a budget while pursuing my 300-hour advanced training with Noah Maze in LA. But this past January, when I discovered the Northwest Yoga Conference was bringing top national presenters like Kathryn Budig, I knew I wanted to somehow get involved and be at the conference. I had met Kathryn a few years back in Chicago and hadn’t had a chance to study with her in a while. Not to mention, one of my other teachers, Aadil Palkhivala, would also be presenting. What’s not to get excited about studying with these amazing teachers? I made the decision to attend my first yoga conference.
When the conference finally arrived, and I pulled into Lynnwood Convention Center that first morning, the energy was palatable. It started off slow, but then the yogis filled the convention center to the brim with positive, uplifting energy. I had the chance to meet some folks I had only met via social media, as well as a chance to network with teachers from surrounding communities like Portland and Vancouver. That in and of itself was well worth attending the event. Then the actual sessions started! I practiced with Aadil, Kathryn, Eoinn Finn and Jill Knouse over the weekend. The depth of workshops offered ran the gamut from classes on inversions and backbends to the psychology of yoga to the business of yoga.I was also very impressed by the sizable marketplace, full of props, clothing and food from around the area and beyond. So many options. All in one weekend.
Additionally, I personally found it nice to get out of the city of Seattle and be in Lynnwood (17 miles north of Seattle), a location that was close enough for an easy drive each morning to the conference. Not to mention ample free parking (am I right, Seattle folks?) and a Whole Foods only a few minutes away from the venue. Couldn’t ask for much more!
Within those three days I spent at the Northwest Yoga Conference, I came to realize the value of attending a yoga conference as a yoga teacher. The conference provided me the opportunity to network on a large scale, learn from incredibly knowledgeable teachers, and immerse myself in the yoga community. But don’t just take my word for it. I reached out to a handful of teachers who have attended the conference to get their perspective.
Nicole sharing her passion for teas with conference attendees.
Nicole Armstrong, a Seattle-based teacher, Tea Sommelier and attendee offered a “Teas Around The World” workshop as part of the weekend. “I have actively participated in the NorthwestYoga Conference from its very beginning as a means of growth. The Northwest Yoga Conference is powerful in that it brings a wealth of knowledge, experience (from local teachers to yoga “rock stars”), and interpretations of yoga right here to our Seattle community. I have taken workshops in sequencing, business, Thai yoga, Iyengar, meditation, and anatomy & physiology. Every class enriches not only my personal practice, but each class and private lesson that I teach to my students. I am grateful for what Melissa has created and brought to our community.”
Jerri Clark, a yoga teacher based in Vancouver, WA, participated in the 2014 conference and wrote about her experience on her blog Yoga Surfer. “I came away from the conference inspired to share new insights, sequences and alignment cues with my students. I felt refreshed in my teaching and supported as part of a vast community of teachers in our area who share my passion and commitment to yoga.”
A group of teachers from Boise enjoying their weekend immersed in yoga and community.
Debra Murphy, director of the Shanti Yoga School in Boise, Idaho, attended and presented at the 2014 conference. “The conference is a great opportunity to study with a variety of teachers on a variety of topics from yoga history to asana. It seeks to provide participants with not just the tip of the iceberg of yoga (asana) but the deeper aspects. They’re able to attract world-class teachers at affordable prices. The lodging and environment is more serene than in other venues.”
I am super excited to be a part of the 2015 Northwest Yoga Conference. It will be an opportunity to connect with new faces, old friends and a chance to study with not only nationally recognized teachers, but also get more familiar with all the local teachers as well. Because at the heart of it, building community is what the conference is really about.