A place where a soul can sore…
by Shanna F. Jones
Set in the beautiful rural Cotswolds of South West England, Soul Circus –a luxury wellness and yoga festival is for those who don’t like festivals. (As well as those who do.)
In the beginning, the music-yoga festival was based in the United Kingdom, however there are plans to expand around the world.
It boasts some of the best music and yoga teachers in the world.
The boutique affair, which labelled itself as more of an ‘immersive experience’ than a festival, saw internationally acclaimed yoga teachers and 500 lucky attendees gathered in a luscious green area of rural England surrounded by lakes and woodland.
Daily workshops were held in a circle of tipis surrounding a central stage for music. A Liz Earle spa with free treatments was on and there was a VIP area with cloud-like beanbags, supperclubs, and complimentary gin cocktail hours.
For those who know about these kinds of things, there were some serious big names in the world of yoga teachers, including the festival’s organiser and Broga teacher, Matt Miller, who brought along his adorable tshirt-wearing sharpei dog, Professor Wrinkles.
In interview with Life Is a Festival, Miller said, “With 18 classes a day, guests can fill their days with vinyasa flow and relaxing yin classes, or branch out and try circus aerial or body painting yoga.”
It would have been easy for a festival focused on wellbeing to neglect the entertainment but kudos had to go to music organiser, Josh Dean. An impressive musical line up of small bands, poets and DJs envoked a feel-good festival vibe that saw people dancing – and of course doing musical yoga – until the early hours.
Dean presented the Fat Hat Collective, a group of bands from South West England, whose unique blend of live hip hop, ska, drum’n’bass and soulful singing causes some truly original sounds.
Friday night had a selection of lively bands including the awesome Regime. Saturday’s musical highlight had to be the phenomenal Inexplicables, a six piece party band from Bristol and Sunday’s Ushti Baba got everyone moving, despite the rain.
Some felt Soul Circus was an event only for those who are REALLY into their downward dogs, those who only have a passing interest might find themselves craving a more varied programme with other exercise and wellbeing activities.
The festival brought happiness to everyone who attended, not many events can say that. It was a truly unique, beautiful celebration of life, love and wellbeing.
Did you know?
Soul Circus Yoga is a yoga and wellness festival that is held in conjunction with the Soul Circus music festival in the United Kingdom.
It’s common for music festivals to incorporate elements of wellness and self-care, such as yoga classes and meditation sessions, as a way for festival-goers to recharge and balance the high-energy atmosphere of the main event.
A little history:
The Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty located in south-central England, covering an area of about 800 square miles. It is known for its rolling hills, idyllic countryside, charming villages, and historical sites.
The Cotswolds are famous for their honey-colored limestone cottages, which can be seen in many of the region’s picturesque villages, such as Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Chipping Campden. The area is also known for its sheep farming, and the local wool trade was an important industry during the Middle Ages.
Visitors to the Cotswolds can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, as well as exploring historical sites such as the ruins of the Roman city of Cirencester, the impressive Blenheim Palace, and the charming village of Bibury, which is said to be one of the most picturesque villages in England.
The Cotswolds is a beautiful destination for those looking to experience the English countryside’s beauty and explore this unique region’s rich history and culture.
Follow Shanna on Twitter: @ShannaFelicia
