Summer’s best Canadian yoga festivals

Popular yoga and music festivals

If you love yoga, but a structured yoga retreat with hours of silent reflection isn’t quite your style, you’ll be happy to learn you can join some of the world’s most popular yoga festivals (think live music, group sessions, good food and an overall social atmosphere). Here are our picks:

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Lolë White Yoga Session Tour

The Lolë White Yoga Session Tour, organized by the Montreal-born yoga clothing company Lolë, will visit Toronto’s Fort York National Historic Site on June 22 as its first Canadian stop of the year. In what the company says will be the city’s largest outdoor yoga session, an expected 2,000-plus people dressed in white will participate in a yoga class dedicated to peace. Then, on July 27, the tour goes to Montreal’s Olympic Park with morning and afternoon sessions. All you have to do is show up dressed in white; Lolë will provide mats on location. Registration is free. You can sign up online at lolewomen.com/whiteyoga.

Lolë White Yoga Session in Montreal last year; Image: Lolë

Wanderlust

Wanderlust, a multi-day yoga and music festival that launched in the U.S. in 2009, will hit Whistler, B.C., from August 1-4, and, for the first time, Mont-Tremblant, Que., from August 23-25. Now in its fifth year, the festival began with just one location-Squaw Valley, Calif.-and today it has seven. Some 10,000 people are expected at Whistler. Besides practising yoga and listening to music in a stunning landscape, Wanderlust-goers will enjoy organic food and wine, an inspirational speaker series, meditation and outdoor activities such as paddleboarding, hiking, biking and running. With a total of 36 yoga instructors, 15 musical acts, a kids’ program and DJ dance parties that go until 2 a.m., this summer festival suits absolutely anyone with a passion for yoga, music and fun. For a complete lineup and tickets, visit wanderlustfestival.com.

Wanderlust in Whistler, B.C., last year; Image: Ali Kaukas

Montreal Yoga Music Festival

This annual festival takes place June 15-16, at Concordia University’s Loyola Campus. Throughout the weekend, festival-goers will participate in various yoga styles, kirtan music and workshops. For more information, visit montrealyogamusicfestival.com.

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Berwick Yoga Festival

The Berwick Yoga Festival takes place July 5-7 at Berwick Camp, a 27-acre property on the edge of the Town of Berwick in Nova Scotia. Expect to enjoy morning meditation sessions, group yoga classes and evening dance parties!
Find out more about the weekend festival at berwickyogafest.ca.

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AnandaFest

This three-day yoga festival began in 2011 at Camp Sidrabene, located in north Burlington, Ont. AnandaFest 2013 (taking place June 7-9) will be the second festival, bringing together world class yoga instructors, health care practitioners, speakers and vendors. Visit anandafest.org for full lineup and ticket information.

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