denver's the place!

with all the hubbub that'll be going on at the yoga health festival in denver next week, i kinda wish that i had planned to be there to join in the fun... you know, with it coinciding with the democratic national convention and all...

you have to admit that it's a splashy way to kick off the upcoming yogamonth 09.2008 festivities! and hopefully, the festivities here in LA next month will be just as exciting :)

by the way, speaking of the DNC, MC yogi, one of the artists scheduled to perform at the benefit concert (and yes, the same artist who's releasing the CD i talked about yesterday), just made available a FREE download of his latest creation: vote for hope.

MC Yogi’s "Vote for Hope" is the new anthem for the historic 2008 election season.

"Vote For Hope" was written to encourage and mobilize the hip hop generation—and everyone—to let their voices be heard. “Barack Obama is a catalyst for our generation,” says MC Yogi. "His campaign inspires young people to engage their creativity, and music is a fast and effective way to reach, inspire and galvanize the youth movement."

This free download adds MC Yogi’s positive, politically conscious rhymes to samples of Barack Obama’s inspiring speech from the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

here's what on tap for those who do manage to make it to denver next week:

YOGA HEALTH FESTIVAL DENVER

Date: Aug. 24-25
Location: Minsuk Pavilion in the City Park built only for the DNC convention, behind the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and IMAX (walk towards City Park Lake)
Parking: At the Denver Museum, IMAX or any street parking close to the City Park at Colorado and 22nd.
Ticket Info & Orders: www.yogamonth.org / Phone 310 928 3720

OmPass and the Yoga Health Foundation have teamed up to present the first-ever Yoga Health Festival during a political convention. Make a statement to the Nation at our National Yoga Month 09.2008 kickoff event during the Democratic National Convention. A bi-partisan festival to celebrate yoga, healthy and green living.
• Health Policy Forum with Arianna Huffington, officials and invited guests
• Workshops with Seane Corn, Hemalayaa, Hala Khouri, Simon Park + others
• Free lectures and demonstrations
• Over 70 yoga, health and green exhibitors
• Yoga for kids area and experiences
• Benefit concert with VH1's You Oughta Know Artist Justin Nozuka, Xiren, MC Yogi
• After-Party at The Church with special guests

All proceeds benefit Youth Health Alliance and holistic health education for at-risk children.

Free Festival Admission / $25 per workshop / $25 Benefit Concert / $88 All-inclusive 2-Day VIP PASS - Order your VIP PASS online and receive a FREE gift bag (Guaranteed and unlimited access to all workshops and concert for both days) Info and Tickets

Featured Presenters:
Arianna Huffington
Suzanne Sterling
Hala Khouri
Seane Corn
Justin Nozuka & band - VH1's Oughta Know Artist
Xiren
MC Yogi
Dr. James Weldon
Simon Park
Heather Peterson
Hemalayaa
Shannon Paige Schneider
Kevin Durkin
Devi Drea
Dawnelle Arthur
Leslie Howard
Dave Farmar
JAYLA
Alanna Kaivalya
Mykal Aubry
Derik Eselius
Jennifer Fortenberry
Dee Marie
Hillary Rubin
Jennifer Wagner
Luke Ketterhagen

PROGRAM GUIDE:

SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2008
9am - Free Bagel Breakfast presented by Panera Bread

CONCERT STAGE - All Events are FREE except for evening Youth Benefit Concert and after-party
9:30am - Health affects of meditation with Sahaja Yoga

10am - Quantum Healing with Amethyst Crystals and New Technology with BioMat

10:30am - Fuel your passion for politics by eating well with Erin Livers

11am - Detox and Cleansing with Dr. Brenna Hatami

11:30am - How to work mind, energy and body systems together to heal physical and emotional challenges with Carolyn Eberle, LPC

12pm - Live DJ Performance: Lunch Time Mini Yoga Class with live music by YogaDownload.com

12:30pm - How do you help your body deal more affectively with Stress? with Dr. Richard Munn

1pm - Orchestrating Your Life: The Healing Power of Music and Sound with Paul Solomon, MA, MSW

1:30pm - Getting out of pain, healing Multiple Sclerosis with Yoga with Hillary Rubin

2pm - The Art of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Herbs & Acupuncture with Dustin C Slade, DiplCH, LAc

2:30pm - The Self Centered Experience with Max Simon

3:30pm - Musical performance by JAYLA

4pm - Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind – Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age with Dr. Weldon – Rishi

4:45pm - The Enlightened Mind Award Ceremony - Honoring Leaders for Service to Humanity in Creating a More Enlightened Society with Dr. Weldon – Rishi

5-7pm - Sound Check - stage closed

7-10pm - Youth Benefit Concert with Justin Nozuka, Xiren and DJ dance party with MC Yogi and DJ Dragonfly Benefiting Youth Health Alliance
7:15pm: Xiren
8:00pm: Justin Nozuka, VH1's Oughta Know Artist
9:00pm: DJ dance party with MC Yogi and DJ Dragonfly
10:00pm: Closing of Concert

10:30pm - After Party at the SoCo's Church Night Club with MC Yogi and appearances by Justin Nozuka + others
Presented by SoCo (50% OFF w/ festival tix)

EXHIBITS
9am - 7pm
Free exhibits with yoga, health, green products healthy, food and product sampling

WORKSHOP SPACE # 1 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Self Health – Tools for Fun and Feeling good for Children and Adults with Dee Marie

10am-noon - Joyful Yoga, Indian Dance and feeling good with Hemalayaa

12-2pm - Thai Massage and Partner Yoga with Simon Park

2-5pm - Off the Mat into the World: Turning Intention into Action with featured presentation by Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, Suzanne Sterling

5-7pm - Moving Mediation Flow with Jennifer Fortenberry

8-10pm - Yoga and Chakra Journey under the self-illuminated Minsuk Cho Pavilion with Mykal Aubry

WORKSHOP SPACE # 2 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Therapeutic Yoga for Pain and Injuries with Kevin Durkin

10am-noon - Intuitive Yoga – Learn to do Yoga Anywhere, Anytime! with Devi Drea

12-2pm - I am not a MESS. Get out of pain and learn how to use any diagnosis as a platform to begin healing with yoga with Hillary Rubin

2-4pm - Yoga for Cranky Hips with Leslie Howard

YOGA FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES - FREE
All-Day-Activities
Yoga and Health Fun for Children and Families


MONDAY AUGUST 25, 2008
9am - Free Bagel Breakfast presented by Panera Bread

CONCERT STAGE - All Events are FREE
9am - Quantum Healing with Amethyst Crystals and New Technology with BioMat

10am - Solar Energy Technologies for your daily life with SOLIO

11am - Simple Facts about Nutrition and Staying Healthy with Dr. Brenna Hatami

11:30am - Gentle Yoga for Seniors and all levels presented by Udaya Yoga with Terri Mairley

12pm - Live DJ Performance: Lunch Time Mini Yoga Class with live music by YogaDownload.com

1pm - Kirtan Music performance by Alanna Kaivalya

2pm - How do you help your body deal more affectively with Stress? with Dr. Richard Munn

3pm - Calming Your Senses through Chanting & Mantras with ISKCON

4pm - The Self Centered Experience with Max Simon

4-6pm - VIP Reception for Delegates, Officials and guests
with Arianna Huffington, Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)*, Trace Devanny (president Cerner), Olivia Miller and Family (Juvenile Diabetes participant); under the Minsuk Cho Pavilion. *invited
Open to public

5-7pm - Health Policy Forum
5pm: Music performance by JAYLA
5:45pm: Arianna Huffington "Preventive Health Care: The Need to Unplug & Recharge in Order to Bring More Health and Balance to Our Lives".
6:15pm: Steven C. Olsen, DDS "Medical Care vs. Health Care: The Future of a Preventative Health Care System”
7pm: Closing remarks

EXHIBITS
9am - 6pm
Free exhibits with yoga, health, green products healthy, food and product sampling

WORKSHOP SPACE # 1 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Yoga for Clarity and Renewal presented by The Denver Institute of Yoga with Derik Eselius

10am-noon - Joyful Yoga, Indian Dance and feeling good with Hemalayaa

12-2pm - Yoga to Reduce Stress and Increase relaxation, vitality, and energy presented by OmTime with Shannon Paige Schneider

WORKSHOP SPACE # 2 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Stretch for Strength with Luke Ketterhagen

10am- noon - Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Workshop with Dave Farmar

12-2pm - Yoga 101 for Athletes presented by Seasons Yoga Studio with Dawnelle Arthur

2-4pm - CorePower Yoga for Joy and Life Extension presented by CorePower Yoga Studio with Heather Peterson

4-6pm - Heart Opening Vinyasa Flow, Finding the Peace in your Practice presented by Urban Flow Yoga Studio with Jennifer Wagner

YOGA FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES - FREE
9am - 6pm
Yoga, Health and Fun for Children and Families

MOVIE THEATER - $8 with festival wristband
6-10pm - Conscious Mini Film Screening at Neighborhood Flix Cinema & Café, 2510 East Colfax
Presale 303-777-FLIX (3549). Limited Space!
6:00pm: Yoga Unveiled: Yoga as Therapy
7:30pm: Y Yoga Movie and Q&A with Director, Arthur Klein