Wanderlust

Yogis of all levels gathered at San Francisco’s Lindley Meadow Park on Sunday, April 23rd to celebrate Wanderlust 108, the world’s first and only mindful triathlon.

The event brings together yoga, meditation and a 5k run/walk in a festival-type atmosphere.

The global festival came to Northern California as part of its worldwide tour. Other cities on the North American leg of the tour include: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Denver, Portland, and Seattle, among more throughout the nation. International Wanderlust festivals are also planned in countries such as Germany, China, Mexico, Spain and Switzerland.

In San Francisco, the Wanderlust’s line-up encompassed music, vendors, and a plethora of yoga sessions.

Participants arrived just after sunrise on Sunday morning for a pre-run stretch at 7:45 a.m. The Adidas-sponsored 5k run/walk followed, with contestants of all fitness levels making it to the finish line by 9:30 a.m.

There were plenty of opportunities for attendees to take their routines to new heights throughout the park. Post-run activities available included Acro Yoga, Hooping, and Alreal Yoga (a play on the word “aerial”), which incorporated a hammock as a prop. The new form of yoga welcomed both newbies and advanced students. While suspended in looped fabric, those who partook in the sessions were led through sequences created by renowned yogi and professional cirque performer, Carmen Curtis.

Participants looking for a cool down also attended Karma Yoga SF’s Flow and Restore class, a 25-minute gathering intended to relax and soothe.

Jessica Seid, a certified yoga instructor at Corepower Yoga in San Francisco and San Mateo, and first time attendee of the festival, said that the experience was enjoyable. “The yoga was great, and [it was] fun to see everyone move as one (since yoga means to join, to yolk).” Seid participated in the run, and group yoga and meditation sessions. She also visited the festival’s marketplace, and tents which featured sponsors and vendors.

Seid said that the highlight of the event was “definitely the yoga at the main stage. It was an ethereal experience with so many people coming together to practice out in Lindley Field.”

“MC yogi ended up making some parts of it more dance party-like […],” she added.

Wanderlust is all about DJ-centered yoga, and provided sessions that incorporated music and dance. In addition to activities, the festival featured discussions, and guest speakers. The presentation “Music + Yoga,” located on the event’s main stage, showcased former Wanderlust DJs who spoke about the tricks of the trade, and how to find music that compliments and inspires the practice. Also on the schedule was a keynote speech by Jen Siebel Newsom, an Emmy award-winning filmmaker.

Meditation, Om walking, and photography and essential oils workshops were also on the schedule and available for ticket holders to attend. Food, a market, a lounge and a drink and juice beverage bar were also on site so attendees could keep refreshed and ready for the festival’s high-energy activities.

For more information, including details about upcoming Wanderlust events, visit Wanderlust.com/108s/