YogaFest is the name of a new yoga event, which takes place online during the weekend of 25 and 26 September, and aims to promote Yoga and related practices.

Although participation in the event is free, it requires registration as the event is limited to the capacity of each session.

The first edition of Lagoa YogaFest will take place online with the objective “not only to facilitate and ensure that the event takes place during the pandemic, but also to attract a greater number of participants and allow the participation of some facilitators and therapists who would not be able to attend if the event was held in person.

The new event counts on the organisation of Ideias do Levante - a Cultural Association in Lagoa, Algarve - and will offer much diversified activities for everyone who just wants to join, whether they are children, teenagers or adults.

Of the six scheduled activities, two classes are planned to be run both in English and Portuguese, namely the Vinyasa Yoga class (25 September) and the Yoga Flow class (26 September), both from 10:15 am to 11:15 am in the morning.

Furthermore, Ideais do Levante is “creating a meeting point for a healthier and more conscious life, promoting Yoga, facilitators, therapists and studios”, said Roberto Estorninho, president of Ideias do Levante.

Where Art finds Yoga

Despite being a cultural association, yoga and wellness activities have been part of Ideias do Levante agenda since the beginning of the century.

“Since 2001, the association has not only organised regular and occasional yoga activities, but also activities related to mindfulness, meditations, sound travels, tai chi, qi gong, etc. Furthermore, it has been hosting projects on vegan/vegetarian food for some years (Balance Café and Surya, for example)”, Roberto Estorninho told The Portugal News.

As a non-profit cultural association, it is dedicated to the production and promotion of cultural activities, through projects not only in the scenic, audiovisual and literary arts, but also in the area of health and well-being”, said Roberto.

According to him, when yoga began to be introduced a few years ago, people were a little sceptical about the practice, but over the years many of those have tried by themselves and nowadays this scepticism no longer exist in the Algarve. Nowadays, there are a great number of people looking for these options and more and more wellness studios and small businesses. “Citizens, both foreigners and Portuguese, are more interested in culture and more aware of well-being, people are looking for balance and quality of life,” he shared.

For the future, Ideias do Levante is expecting to promote more projects of this nature, including retreats, bio markets, etc. “This first edition will serve to sow the first seeds and make room for sustainable growth towards future editions”, said Roberto.

Although varied, all the events produced by this cultural association share the common goal of spreading culture through the streets.

Semana Coral de Lagoa, Opera Rocks, Opera Night, Al Sur, Sacred Music Festival of Lagoa and The Magic of 1001 Nights, are some of the different events going on produced by Ideais do Levante, which “was founded on the 27 April 1995 and is based in Lagoa, Algarve, having a space also in Portimão at Portas do Sol”.

According to its website, the Lagoa Cultural Association - Ideias do Levante, which began on 27 April, 1995. “In its origin were a group of youths who, bewitched by the South-east (Levante) wind and by the strength of their ideas, desired to foment culture in Lagoa, Algarve”.

Find here the complete schedule:

Saturday, 25 September

09:00am - 10:00am

Introduction to Yoga Sutra with Paulo Hayes

10:15am - 11:15am

Vinyasa Yoga with Johanna Hessling

Class both in Portuguese and English

11:30am - 12:30am

Ayurveda Online talk with Fernanda Cabral

Sunday, 26 September

09:00am - 10:00am

Integral Yoga with Sandra Simões

10:15am - 11:15am

Yoga Flow with Meditation and deep relaxation with Joana Felizardo

Class both in Portuguese and English

11:30am -12:30am

Children’s yoga with Tania Costa

To not miss the event, don’t forget to register at https://forms.gle/Y49g1iZWn2hRg5iL7. All the sessions have limited capacity. After registering, you will receive an email confirming that you are listed. If there are no vacancies available, you will be placed on the waiting list.

For further information on YogaFest or on any other of those events, please visit the website at https://www.ideiasdolevante.info or call 282 380 053.

Author

Paula Martins is a fully qualified journalist, who finds writing a means of self-expression. She studied Journalism and Communication at University of Coimbra and recently Law in the Algarve. Press card: 8252

Paula Martins