Every July, the Catskill Mountain Yoga Festival welcomes yogis and wellness-minded folks to Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury for a spirited summer celebration of the holistic lifestyle. “The mountaintop is such a special, humbling place for people to gather,” says Raegan Reed, the longtime yogi, fitness instructor, and owner of The Cardio Club and Delhi Dance Studio, who dreamed up the festival in 2017 after the North Face asked her to design an employee yoga retreat at Plattekill. “I’m so elated from the moment the festival begins until the very end,” she says. It’s just good vibes all the way around.”
Next month’s jam-packed, daylong event on Saturday, July 22 will feature over 40 different indoor, outdoor, and mountaintop yoga and meditation classes and workshops for all ages and abilities. “Everyone is welcome,” Reed says. “We have so many people who have come back to the festival and brought their friends and family along. We have seasoned yogis who have been doing this for more years than I have and beginners just starting with their practice.”
The yoga classes and workshops at the festival range from the more relaxed-paced (think restorative, chair, and hip-opener yoga styles) to the highly active (from Kundalini to Acro, aerial yoga, and yoga trapeze). Little ones ages 4-10 can also join in the fun, with a yoga class for kids and a kids aerial yoga class. Yogis won’t want to miss the master class from internationally renowned yogi and festival headliner, Kelly Kamm, “Creative Yoga for Rebels, Misfits, and Art Lovers.”
But it’s not just all yoga, all day. Reed encourages attendees to explore the wider world of wellness with a diversity of immersive workshops. Get an introduction to balancing chakras with an essential oil roll-on workshop with Doterra; experience a gong bath at the top of the mountain; learn about somatic practices for reducing stress with Lara Land, author of the newly released book, The Essential Guide to Trauma-Sensitive Yoga; dive into the ancient art of healthy living with Ayurveda 101; or go on one of three expert-led plant walks to learn about the edible, medicinal, and spiritual properties of plants growing in the Catskills.
There are also plenty of opportunities built into the schedule for attendees to relax, meet new friends, and enjoy the gorgeous mountain surroundings. There will be a free breakfast and guided meditation to start off the morning, a coffee bar from Roman Roaster in Delhi with drinks for purchase throughout the day, sky rides, a guided hike up Plattekill Mountain with Rick Roberts of the Catskill Mountain Club, and a communal space to hang during a new midday intermission and other free moments between classes.
At the Vendor Village, attendees will find local prepared foods purveyors, live music, artisans and craftspeople offering locally minded and healthful products like the hand-painted cork yoga mats from Ilastrate, Tarot card readers, Henna artists, Reiki and massage practitioners, and more. There will be plenty of festival swag—from hats to bags to jewelry—available for purchase to commemorate the day.
The festivities wrap up with a sound healing ritual at the pond, with Sacred Sound Ritual, where participants can close out the day with gentle breathwork and a full-body sonic experience. For anyone craving more after the festival ends, Reed is also offering two week-long yoga retreats in Mexico and Costa Rica in January 2024.
Catskill Mountain Yoga Festival will take place at Plattekill Mountain on Saturday, July 22 with a rain date of Sunday, July 23. Advance registration for classes and workshops is highly recommended. For more info or for tickets, visit Catskillmountainyogafestival.com. For festival updates, follow Catskill Mountain Yoga Festival on Facebook and Instagram.
