Richmond Yoga and Vegan Festival

Join Richmond's biggest summertime Yoga and Vegan Food festival in the beautiful campus of Greycourt School. Participate in all-day Yoga & meditation sessions, enjoy yummy vegan and raw vegan food, shop for vegan products and attend talks on mental health, classes for children, outdoor activities and much more...

****Please bring your own Yoga mats****

Entry fee starts from only £3. We will schedule Yoga/meditation classes in three halls at the festival. Each session will be 45 minutes long. You can book the sessions in advance and pay only for the sessions that you want to do.
Tickets for sessions also give you access to our stall, talks and outdoor area as well. If you buy ticket to any one Yoga class, you automatically get entry to all stalls, talks and outdoor activities. Each session is priced at £3. There is no need to buy a separate ticket to stalls area if you have already bought one (or more) indoor Yoga class.

You can stay for as long or as little as you like. If you want to attend more than one sessions, you are welcome to do that – you just need to buy more tickets as every session has a ticket of its own. Everything can be booked online and you will be guaranteed a space in the class of your choice.

The timetable of classes will be released soon and you will be able to buy from here. For now, we are just selling tickets for those interested in accessing only stalls, talks and outdoor activities.

Not interested in classes?

If you are not interested in classes and only want to come to enjoy the stalls area, talks and outdoor activities, you can buy a £3 ticket titled 'Entry to Stalls+Talks+Outdoor Activities'. So, there is something for everyone at our festival. You don't have to be a Yogi or vegan to have fun at the festival. We are planning to have 80 vegan stalls at the festival :)

Class Timetable

Room A; Class 1 @9AM: Anusara-Inspired Hatha-Vinyasa to Start the Day

Start your morning with this dynamic Yoga practice to wake-up your body and mind. Anusara means "flowing with grace," "going with the flow," "following your heart.". Universal to each pose are principles that create support for the theme, love and joy through physical alignment. They create present-moment awareness in a sequential order that builds from the inside out.

Taught by Roisin, this class will combine the elements of Vinyasa's flow and Hatha's stability to give you your body an energetic Yoga workout.

Room A; Class 2 @ 10AM: Kundalini Yoga with Victoria Amore

Kundalini Yoga is one of the most comprehensive styles of Yoga. It encompasses Bhakti Yoga (the yogic practice of devotion and chanting), Raja Yoga (the practice of mediation/mental and physical control) and Shakti Yoga, (for the expression of power and energy). The Kundalini energy is a poetic metaphor which describes the potential energy that exists within each of us. The Kundalini energy is considered to be located in the energetic body at the base of the spine. With the practice of Yoga, the Kundalini energy expands upwards awakening our potential to connect with our higher selves

Traditionally, Kundalini Yoga was a secret practice only passed from teacher to the deserving few students. It was brought in its currently practiced avatar by Yogi Bhajan. This class, taught by Victoria Amore, will leave you awakened and more conscious of the potential of your body and mind. The class is suitable for everyone

Room A; Class 3 @ 11AM: Dynamic Yoga - Breathe & Flow

An energising, dynamic vinyasa flow yoga class, incorporating breath work for connection with mind, body and soul. This style of yoga is characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. In vinyasa yoga, each movement is synchronized to a breath. The breath is given primacy, acting as an anchor as you move from one pose to the next.

The variable nature of Vinyasa Yoga helps to develop a more balanced body as well as prevent repetitive motion injuries that can happen if you are always doing the same thing every day.

Room A; Class 4 @ 12PM: Fundamentals of Ashtanga Yoga for Everyone with Tara

The Ashtanga method of asana practice originated in 1900s in the city of Mysore in India, and was developed by T. Krishnamacharya, who is considered as the father of modern Yoga.

In Ashtanga Yoga, the order of asanas is entirely predefined, which distinguishes it from most other types of yoga. A practice consists of four parts: Opening series, a main series, a back-bending sequence and a finishing sequence.

This class is led by an experienced Ashtanga Yoga teacher, Tara, who is coming all the way from the Netherlands to teach at Richmond Yoga and Vegan Festival. She is going to teach a dynamic, strong class, going through the fundamental asanas of Primary series. Beginning by connecting with the ujayii breath, students will move through the key asanas of primary series - sun salutations, standing, balances, seated, hip-openers, back bends and finishing. Sweat stretch and feel goooood....

Room A; Class 5 @ 1PM: Om & Bass Yoga Rave with Rach Cox

Om & Bass draws upon the discipline of traditional yoga and combines it effortlessly with modern music. It rejuvenates your energy centres (or chakras), starting gently with ambient music and moving through various genres building up to an energetic "Drum & Bass" climax. It's OM... and BASS.

Less common in yoga and dance workshops, Om and Bass features two teachers. Rach is both qualified in yoga and dance, with a background in freestyle and hip-hop dance. Lewis is a qualified in yoga and martial arts teacher, with a background in hip-hop dance also. Om & Bass encourages the participants to "feel" their way through the experience without feeling exposed or intimidated.

Room A; Class 6 @ 2PM: Jivamukti Yoga with Kane and Bianca

Jivamukti is a physical, ethical, and spiritual practice, combining a vigorous hatha yoga, vinyasa-based physical style with adherence to five central tenets: shastra (scripture), bhakti (devotion), ahimsā (nonviolence, non-harming), nāda (music), and dhyana (meditation). Jivamukti Yoga is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings. The Jivamukti Method is grounded in the original meaning of the Sanskrit word asana as "seat, connection" – relationship to the Earth.

This class will be a mixture of vigorous postures and lighthearted and fun moments with elements of music and chanting. One of the strongest currents in Jivamukti's philosophy is a strict interpretation of the yama, ahimsa, which means non-violence. Both teachers, Kane and Bianca are vegans.

Room A; Class 7 @ 3PM: Authentic Indian Hatha Yoga with Ravi

Hatha yoga is the oldest branch of yoga. The Sanskrit word haṭha literally means "force" and thus alludes to a system of physical techniques. The Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā is a classic fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual on hatha yoga, written by Svāmi Svātmārāma, is among the most influential surviving texts on hatha yoga.

A class on traditional Hatha Yoga, as taught in India, including Pranayama breathing techniques (Pranayama), asana (core Yoga postures) practice and meditation. This authentic yoga class taught by Ravi will also have a focus on connecting breath with movement to bring harmony to body and mind. Breathe, stretch, relax… Suitable for all- beginners and intermediate.

Room A; Class 8 @ 4PM: Iyengar Yoga: Learning Correct Body Alignment in Yoga Poses

Iyengar Yoga, named after and developed by B. K. S. Iyengar, is a form of Hatha Yoga that has an emphasis on detail, precision and alignment in the performance of posture (asana) and breath control (pranayama). The development of strength, mobility and stability is gained through the asanas.

What distinguishes Iyengar yoga from other Yoga styles is the very high degree of attention paid to alignment. This helps prevent injury and overuse and makes the practice therapeutic in nature.

Room B; Class 2 @10AM: Yoga for Developing a Strong Core with Michelle

Did you know that besides giving you a sense of inner peace and calm, Yoga poses can also give you 6-packs-abs and toned arms?

In this workshop you will learn how to use Yoga postures to develop a stronger core. Drawing from Vinaysa and Power Yoga, this session will teach you ways to get tough physically and mentally.

This class is aimed at all levels and beginners are welcome. The teacher, Michelle, will offer plenty of alternatives to accommodate everyone.

Room B; Class 3 @11AM: Decoding Yogic Lifts and Inversions: Journey from crow to headstand and handstand

Feet are not the only parts of body that you need in order to stand. You can stand on your hands, head, elbows too! How? Join this class to know the answer. In this workshop, you will learn the right techniques and posture and props that are needed to get that perfect handstand you always wanted. There is no limit to what your body can achieve, if you put your mind to it.

This class is led by a vegan Yoga teacher, Kane, who will show you how to use the strength in your body and mind (with some assistance) to do challenging arm balances. Some level of experience in crow/crane poses, headstand or good core strength will be helpful for the class.

Room B; Class 4 @ 12PM: Learning Safe and Correct Yoga Backbends via Vinyasa Krama Yoga with Asha

If done correctly, the back-opening Yoga poses can be helpful for both preventing and relieving backaches and other issues of the spine.

In this class, you will learn the right physical and mental techniques from Vinyasa Krama theme -- step by step progression into safely practicing back bends synchronizing the movement with the breath. Back bending postures are energising and exhilarating creating sense of openness and encouraging deep breathing. Founder of Krishna yoga, Asha, who also runs Yoga Alliance 200 hours teacher training course, and has been doing Yoga for over a decade, will be teaching this class. The class will help make your back stronger and flexible. Beginners are welcome to this class.

Room B; Class 5 @ 1PM: Vedic Meditation for All

Join this meditation class to learn how to meditate using mantra, and learn the meaning of mantras. This meditation technique is derived from the 5000-years-old vedic tradition.

The teacher,Andre, will break down the technique and make it so easy that you will be able to practice it daily. You will see its profound effects on walks of life if you meditate daily for 20-minutes. This class is suitable for both beginners and experienced mediators.

Room B; Class 6 @ 2PM: Yoga for Opening Tight Hips and Hamstrings: The Journey to Yogic Splits with Tara [SOLD OUT]

Always wanted to glide into splits, but still inches or even a foot or more away from the floor? Good news, there is hope for everyone. By implementing hip and hamstring opening drills into your regular practice and a lot of patience of course, you too will glide into splits one day.

This powerful workshop is led by experienced Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, Tara, who is coming all the way from the Netherlands to teach at Richmond Yoga and Vegan Festival. At age 42, she glided into splits for the very first time in her life. She is going to combine a dynamic strong Asthanga based sequence followed by meditative yin style hip-opening stretches. Be ready to dive deeper inside. Beginners are welcome.

Room B; Class 7 @ 3PM: Yin Yoga for Ultimate Relaxation and Stress Relief [SOLD OUT]

Yin Yoga is one of the most relaxing and static style of Yoga that allows you to make a deep connection with your body and release hidden tension. A passive practice, Yin Yoga involves variations of seated and supine poses typically held, accessing deeper layers of fascia.

If you struggle with too many racing thoughts and crave for calm, Yin Yoga is perfect for you. Yin is the stable, unmoving, hidden aspect of things; yang is the changing, moving, revealing aspect. In the body, the relatively stiff connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, fascia) are yin, while the more mobile and pliable muscles and blood are yang.Led by Esther, an experienced Yoga teacher, this class will make you feel super relaxed.

Room B; Class 8: Power-Vinyasa Yoga with Alva

Power Vinyasa Yoga is a powerful, energetic form of yoga where students fluidly move from one pose to the next while connecting their breathing to their movements. It incorporates strength, flexibility, balance, cardio and physical and mental stamina in one session.

Taught by the experienced Yoga teacher, Alva, this class promises to be the perfect total mind-body workout that you need.

Room B; Class 9: Gong Bath with Lily [SOLD OUT]

Gong Baths are one of the most soothing, body detoxing holistic rejuvenating vibrational ancient tools. The Gong produces a strong sound wave, almost tangible to the touch, which stimulates the physical body by influencing the surface of the skin and every cell. It feels like a soundmassage for the body and mind (great for those of you who like the idea of a massage, but don't like to be touched).

The gong is a sacred and ancient instrument of healing, rejuvenation and transformation.On a physical level, the gong releases tension and blocks in the body, it stimulates a higher functioning of the glandular and nervous system, it increases prana, our vital life force and improves circulation.

Led by the the Gong master, Lily, the session will aim to purify and relax the mental, emotional and spiritual bodies

Room C; Class 2 @ 10am: Morning Meditation for a Peaceful Day: Creating Inner Energy Sanctuary with Dhriti Mehra

Do you wake up in the morning and lie on the bed feeling unsure about how the day is going to go? Would you like to know the best way to start the day? If yes, then attend this meditation workshop where experienced meditation, Dhriti, will teach you how you can set an easy daily morning meditation practice. She will show you how you can create an inner energy sanctuary so that that your inner peace is not disturbed by what's happening around you.

Room C - Class 3 @ 11am: Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga for Balancing Chakras with Nikesh Shah

Vinyasa means: synchronisation of movement and breath, which are key elements to the practice

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic form of hatha yoga; the roots originate from the town of mysore in the south of india.

This class will combine the elements of Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga with the aim to balancing Chakras. Each posture in the class will focus on a chakra. Some of the postures will be held and some will be dynamic - the perfect combination of holding on and letting go.

This class will be led by Nikesh Shah, who is trained in both Ashtanya and Vinyasa styles of Yoga. This class is suitable for beginners.

Room C - Class 4 @ 12pm Mindful Flow: Blending Yoga with Mindfulness with Marvin Reid [SOLD OUT]

Mindfulness, a concept derived from Buddhist meditation, means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. When you're mindful, you carefully observe your thoughts and feelings without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to your current experience, rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future.

In this class, teacher and occupational therapist, Marvin Reid, will apply principles of mindfulness to Yoga practice. You will learn how to each and every posture with absolute awareness so that you are conscious of your body, mind and breath. Marvin will incorporate both relaxing and challenging postures. Beginners are welcome!

Room C - Class 5 @ 1pm: Traditional Hatha Yoga Pranayama (Yogic Breathing) Techniques with Ravi

Prana means life force/vital or breath sustaining the body; Ayama translates as "to extend or draw out." Together two mean breath extension or control. The aim of Pranayama is expand the vital force that makes us alive. It is the

Daily stress, tensions and physical habits can create physical and energetic obstacles in our bodies. Without even noticing it our breathing can become gradually more shallow or stilted, we develop unconscious breathing patterns restricting the flow of breath and prana.

In this class, the Indian Yoga Guru, will teach you the traditional breathing techniques. You will be working on letting the life energy flow through the body. This class is suitable for beginners as the experienced teacher, Ravi, will take all the precautions for your safety.

Room C - Class 6 @ 2pm: Meditation, Chanting and Yoga Nidra with Asha

Chant mantas, meditate and then drift off to Yogic sleep in this class with Kingston's famous Yoga guru, Asha Khagram.

Yoga nidra (Sanskrit: योग निद्रा) or yogic sleep) is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, like the "going-to-sleep" stage. It is a state in which the body is completely relaxed, and the practitioner becomes systematically and increasingly aware of the inner world by following a set of verbal instructions.

You start with sensing the body and breathing in specific ways in order to trigger the relaxation response. The relaxation response balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and balances the left and right brain. In the process, your brain shifts from beta, an awakened state with lots of brain activity, to alpha, a more relaxed state. In alpha, the mood-regulating hormone serotonin gets released, and this calms you down. This class doesn't involve any Yoga postures. Suitable for beginners.

Room C - Class 7 @3pm: Chakra Meditation with Rach Cox

Chakra meditation is a form of meditation that consists of a set of relaxation techniques focused on bringing balance, relaxation and well-being to the chakras. "Chakra" is an ancient Sanskrit word that means vortex or wheel that can be traced back to India. Chakras are the human body's seven main energy centers with each one corresponding to individual glands that govern our specific body parts plus various areas of the psyche. They are located next to a hormonal gland along the human spinal column.

In this class, the teacher, Rach, will teach you how to remove blockages of all 7 chakras and how to bring them in perfect harmony.

Room C - Class 8 @ 4pm: Gong Kundalini Meditation

Submerge yourself into a deep Kundalini meditation with the help of gong. Imagine a state where you are lying on the floor in Savasana and the gong swiftly and powerfully transporting you to a place of peaceful, calming bliss. This class is led by Anna Strange who is a well-known Kundalini Yoga teacher in the Kingston area. She combines her years of teaching experience and knowledge of Kundalini Shakti to create classes that are magical. You're guaranteed to come out of the class feeling deeply cleansed and rejuvenated.

Other Details:

Please remember to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the time of your class. The checkin desks will be open all day. For example, if your class is at 2pm, you are welcome to check-in at 10am – we will scan your e-ticket and give a you paper ticket against it. You can then and hangout in the stall area, attend talks, participate in outdoor activities, step out or just chill until your class starts.

Please note that there is no charge to enter the stall area or to participate in talks. All children below the age of 14 years will get free entry to the festival. There will be a 'Lil Yogi Room' with sessions exclusively for children. Children can also attend the normal Yoga classes with adults. We just request you to not leave your children unattended at any time.

Parking: Please note that it's not possible to park inside the school. There are plenty of free car-parking spaces available on the street, but request you to use public transport. Please search google maps for the postcode TW10 7HN.

Do you want to teach at the fest?

If you are interested in teaching at the festival, please write to us on teach@yogific.com

Stall:

If you would like a stall space, please email us on trade@yogific.com

For all other queries, please email info@yogific.com

This festival celebrates two ideas that are changing the world for better - Yoga and Veganism. We're organizing such festivals all over the world. Peace, love and compassion for all living beings, go vegan in 2018