Wide range of styles, benefits showcased at Valley Yoga Fest in Kentville
It’s an event that celebrates yoga while building connections and a sense of community.
Valley Yoga Fest co-president Laura Jacobs of Sheffield Mills, a yoga instructor, said the festival was established to celebrate all the yoga teachers and various yoga opportunities in the Valley. It’s a way for yoga instructors to gather in the same space to network, meet people interested in yoga, and to demonstrate the various styles that are available.
The Aug. 11 event was the fifth annual festival, which was held at Kentville’s Memorial Park on the soccer fields next to the Valley Credit Union Rec Centre. Jacobs said the weather turned out perfectly and the break in the humidity was quite welcome.
The organizing committee members were watching the forecast all week. They had rain locations lined up but Jacobs said it’s nice to be able to enjoy exploring yoga outdoors in nature.
“As you can see, because we are out in a field, you don’t need much to be able to do yoga, you can do it in the grass, you can do it in your home,” Jacobs said.
The yoga fest included classes for kids, teens, adults, and seniors. There were other various vendors and health service providers on site as well.
The first class, instructed by Sarah Mcdowell and Cassie Doucette from Mooncoast Yoga in Berwick, had 107 people registered. A children’s class instructed by Beth Louise Ross with 26 participants ran simultaneously.
Jacobs said yoga is for any type of body and it’s very accessible, covering the full spectrum from kids to seniors. Yoga promotes increased flexibility and strength and there are mental and spiritual benefits as well. It has a certain calming effect. The Valley Yoga Fest committee, including co-president Kate Seaman, treasurer Lori Seaman, co-president Laura Jacobs, vice president Ashley Turner and secretary Amanda Cox. Beth Louise Ross instructed a yoga class for children as the fifth annual Valley Yoga Fest in Kentville got underway.
Jacobs said it’s great to see so many people returning to the festival year after year. It has become an event that they look forward to. People come from all over the Valley and from as far away as Truro and Halifax. For more information on the Valley Yoga Fest, visit The opening sessions of the fifth annual Valley Yoga Fest included a Vinyasa yoga class with instructors Sarah Mcdowell and Cassie Doucette from Mooncoast Yoga in Berwick.