MIDWEST YOGA
AND KIRTAN FESTIVAL
Fri, Sept 20th - Sun, Sept 22nd 2019
Jefferson County Fairgrounds Jefferson, WI
This is the Heartland!
Midwest Yoga and Kirtan Fest is a homegrown festival in the works.
This is a new breed of chantfest co-created by artists, teachers,
and YOU to bring the heart-opening bhava to the Midwest.
This is a festival for the people, by the people.
It honors the wallahs, musicians, and teachers who nourish our souls and gives back to a
worthy charity. Join us for a heart opening experience like no other! Sing with all day non-
stop kirtanin a wide variety of musical styles. Practice different styles of Yoga in classes that
run from morning to evening. Learn more about the ancient science of Yoga in unique
workshops. Shop in our vendor village and taste delicious vegetarian cuisine! Midwest Yoga
and Kirtan Fest takes place in an alcohol and drug free environment.
YOGA
Yoga means to join together, to reunite.
Find yourself on the mat practicing the
balance of strength, balance, breath, and
mindfulness. Deepen your personal
practice with experienced teachers and
find a way to reunite with you.
KIRTAN
Sing together with some of the best wallahs
from the Midwest and beyond! This is Bhakti
yoga - the yoga of love, It’s a call and response
style chanting/singing that is guaranteed to
give you that experience we call bhav; a heart
fully soaked with love!
WORKSHOPS
Delve deep into a new spaces and
learn more about what Yoga and
Kirtan really are. From singing bowls
and gongs to Hindu deities, practical
spirituality, and awakening to love
find yourself here.
COMMUNITY
This is a space to make new friends and create
new bonds. Singing together, practicing
together, eating together, just being together
with like minded, good hearted people for a few
days can really make a change for good in one’s
life and the people around them!
Second Stage
Saturday
8:30am - 9:30 Shanti Maya - Hanuman Chalisa
9:30am - 10:30 Shanti Maya - Kirtan
10:45am - 11:45 Amy and the Bliss Tribe
12pm - 1 DEVI 2000
1:15pm - 2:15pm Brilliant Bliss Kirtan
2:30pm - 3:30 Ananda Lila
3:45pm - 4:45pm Supersonic Soul Circle
Sunday
9:45am - 10:45 Gina Slager
11am - 12 Love, Light, and Harmony
12:15pm - 1:15 Fred Bliffert and the Blisstones
1:30pm - 2:30 Eric Majeski
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday
9pm - 11:30 Roman Borochin · Ecstatic Dance Party
Ecstatic Dance is an extraordinary social dance gathering and practice, where you can dance and move any way you want,
and feel free to be you with others that want the same. Our dance floor is a verbal conversation-free space which allows for
more movement and non-verbal communication. Making noise and sounds is very accepted, and of course there is a space
away from the dance floor to connect while talking. There is also no photography or videography on the dance floor to help
support the highest expression of movement in dance. To assist in dancing with others, dancing by your self, and in being
brave and pushing your self to take risks we set and uphold clear consent guidelines that can invite someone to dance, say no
to an invitation, and finish a shared dance.
Saturday
8:15am - 9:30 August Ristow · Gentle Vinyasa Yoga
Open the day with a lighter, slow flow vinyasa yoga class focused on the balance of Sthira and Suhka - strength and ease.
Gentle doesn’t mean easy, it’s how we practice. Reconnect back to the first two yoga principles: Ahimsa and Satya. Non-
Harming and Truthfulness. All levels welcome.
10am - 12 Sean Johnson · Wildy Devoted - Bhakti on the Mat
Deepen your soul connection by merging the heart-opening qualities of bhakti yoga with the vitality of asana. This playful
practice kicks off with engaging storytelling and chanting that flows into a vinyasa yoga practice to bring the story to life
within you through breath, movement, song, and imagination.
12:30pm - 1:45 Ragani · Live in Yoga
This powerful guided experience of ridiculously simple, gentle movements will serve to awaken the Ever Present inner yogi
within you. Discover this deeper thread of all yoga practices and awaken to the experience of living in awareness. The clear
guidance you receive in this class will serve you in your daily life, and it can be easily applied to any future yoga class that you
attend (or teach). One of the rare yoga classes offered by Ragani and recommended for both beginning and advanced
practitioners, regardless of age or ability or yoga smartness.
2pm - 3:15 Shannon Connell Fischer · Midwest Mid-Fest Soma & Soul Recharge
Take an afternoon break to restore & recharge body, mind, heart and soul. We will explore the Somatic (nurturing, fluid,
rejuvenating) principles of movement, various pranayama methods, chanting/mantra and an awakening and relaxing practice
to help us connect and flow even more with the river of life within...
3:30pm - 4:45 Karen Weber · Freedom & Fulfillment
Why does peace feel temporary? Why do my patterns seem to get the best of me? Do I actually have the power to change
them? The Divine Mother with Her complete knowledge (as the knower, known and means of knowing) and limitless Shakti
has always been the path to everlasting peace. She patiently allows her child explore every possibility until we come to our
own conclusion that She is the solution & the fulfillment we’ve been seeking. With eyes open we see that ‘I am not the Doer’.
Join Karen Weber for an exploration of Ishvara Pranidhana & experience the joy that comes from effortless alignment with Thy
will. All levels welcome.
Sunday
9am - 10:15 Ryan Hader · Tandava Yoga
Tandava is described as a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution-a dance of
personal liberation. This 75 Min Yoga class focuses on alignment within basic poses. This is not an advanced Posture class, yet
will include meditation techniques such as Pranayam (Yogic Breathing), Japa Meditation (repeating mantras with meditation
beads) or applying Bhandas (energy locks in the body) to basic poses. Our intent with this delivery is to help people meditate
with greater ease. Every class will end with 15 minutes of meditation or extended final resting pose.
10:30am - 11:30 Eric Perez · Alignment Flow
This class is anchored in alignment principles and structural bio mechanics. A combination of vinyasa (one breath per
movement) and static poses (holds and aligning the entire body). Each class is heavily themed towards Svadhyaya or self
study: response versus reaction, as well as cultivating a sense of self love and trust. Integration of regular ‘’posture clinics’’ and
moments of a classroom setting with educating and observing before executing will help deepen your understanding and
awareness allowing for a healing experience. Actively practicing the law of attraction, and the verbiage is always uplifting and
inspiring. If you are looking for a deeper connection to yourself, healing, and looking to change your life, this class is for you.
Going well beyond the physicality of the postures with breathing exercises, chanting mantras, or sitting in meditation. Come
to light your fire, clear your mind, and open your heart!
11:45am - 12:45 Shayne Broadwell · Vinyasa Yoga
Literally translated from Sanskrit, vinyasa means “connection.” Vinyasa Yoga synchronizes movement with breath which helps
the practitioner develop a greater sense of self-awareness, balance, and harmony with themselves and their environment.
Classes are high energy and will include smoothly flowing movements between poses guided by the force of inhales and
exhales. Each class is unique, but may include the many variations of Sun Salutations as well as standing postures, inversions,
backbends, forward folds, and balancing postures.
1pm - 2 Laura Rooney · Hatha Yoga
Quality matters at least as much as quantity and asana doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective and enjoyable! Explore breadth
and depth of optimal alignment and execution of a variety of foundational yoga poses, basic breathing exercises and
relaxation in this 60-minute led yoga practice accessible to all.
Awakening the Yogi-Artist
Bhakti Yoga Intensive with Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band
Sometimes in our life and our yoga practice we feel a little dried up, thirsty for creative juice that reinvigorates our
spirit. This intensive is an invitation to drink from the life-giving well of bhakti yoga, the yoga of the heart. Sing your
heart out, rekindle your soul, stir the gods and goddesses within you, tap into your inner poet, dance like a child, and
rejoice in the awakening of your unique voice and creativity. Savor the intuitive freedom and exploration of exploring
art, song, poetry, and dance as an act of meditation and prayer. Explore more deeply your own life story through
interactive storytelling, mythology, and journaling. Tune your being with singing meditation, kirtan chanting, rhythm,
and dance. Spark a romance with life itself through exploration of the love poetry of the Bhakti tradition.
Friday
5:30pm - 6:45 RU~IN Gongs · Gong Meditation - Resetting your Frequency
Please join us for a 75 minute sound healing session, using a variety of instruments for a multi-sensory experience. We will take
a journey with soothing, healing sounds and vibrations for relaxation and renewal of spirit. Led by Ron Uttke, a Reiki
Practitioner and Shamanic Healer.
Saturday
8:30am - 9:45 Gina Armstrong · Peter Hess Singing Bowl PlayShop
Join The Peter® Hess Academy Midwest and Peter Hess® Certified Sound Massage Practitioners, as we weave you through an
inward journey utilizing the vibrations and sounds of Peter Hess® Therapeutic Singing Bowls. Participants will have the
opportunity to feel and explore how the use of therapeutic singing bowls on the body nurtures alignment, balance, and
stillness within. Ending with a sound infused guided sound journey. Therapeutic Singing Peter Hess Singing Bowls available for
the first 30 participants. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, pen, and water bottle.
10am - 11:15 Manoj · Your Hero’s Journey - Hindu & Buddhist Deities
Using statues to illustrate, Manoj will take you on an humorous story telling journey and will relate the symbolism of Hindu and
Buddhist deities to the archetypes within us. We will all kayak the collective unconscious of Jungian Archetypes that guide us
in our heroine’s journey to Self Actualization or Enlightenment. Uncover their hidden symbolisms and learn the five ways to
work with them as part of a spiritual practice.
11:30am - 12:45 Chaitanya Charan Das · Practical Spirituality
Chaitanya Charan is a monk, mentor and spiritual author. Seeing the prevalent problems of stress, depression, addiction and
overall misdirection – all caused by a lack of spirituality – he felt inspired to dedicate his life to the cause of sharing the spiritual
wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita under the aegis of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). He will discuss
spirituality in the modern world.
1:30pm - 3:30 David Newman · Awakening to Love
Do you feel the transformational sparks of Spiritual Awakening that is expanding rapidly on the planet today? There are many
paths and practices available to support us in this ultimate quest, and one such path is the Way of Love. David Newman has
made it a life's passion to illuminate the practice of opening your heart, and loving unconditionally as a vehicle for spiritual
awakening. Journey into the wisdom of your heart through Kirtan, and the ageless teachings on the Path of Love, or Bhakti, as
it is known in the yogic tradition. Come and experience how embracing love, fearlessly and wholeheartedly, can ignite your
quest for awakening, and fulfill your search for deeper meaning, greater happiness and a higher truth.
4pm - 5:30 Lisa Gniady · Inner Child Healing through Kundalini Yoga
Within our physical form we carry our stories. They define who we are as individuals. Sometimes we have difficulty handling
our life stories. Through breath, movement and chanting let us unleash the negative connections with the past. Open your
heart to joy. And ignite the desire to find happiness within. Smile, sweat and come ready to free yourself of past attachments
not serving your highest self. Be Activated to a state of Ananda.
5:45pm - 7 RU~IN Gongs · Gong Meditation - Resetting your Frequency
Please join us for a 75 minute sound healing session, using a variety of instruments for a multi-sensory experience. We will take
a journey with soothing, healing sounds and vibrations for relaxation and renewal of spirit. Led by Ron Uttke, a Reiki
Practitioner and Shamanic Healer.
Sunday
8:30am - 9:45 (STAGE 2) · Manoj - Awaken Shakti, the Goddess Archetype within You
This class is suitable for men and women. The pinnacle of the Goddess archetype is the Wisdom Goddess with side archetypes
of the Mother and the luminous Devi. Discover the archetypes of Shakti within us as Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali, Durga, Tara and
Kwan Yin. Unleash this Shakti, within you as the creative power of the One that guides us through all aspects of life transitions
and fully express our heroine’s journey to Self Actualization.
8:30am - 9:45 Claire Stillman · Bliss of Thai Massage
Claire Stillman will guide a flow of techniques for an easy to remember Thai Yoga Massage sequence. Come away from this
workshop having felt & learned to give an accessible massage sequence and a new way of connecting with friends and family.
The art of Thai Yoga Massage is beneficial to the mind-body of both giver and receiver. Rooted in Traditional Thai Medicine,
Yoga and Ayurveda, this is an ancient healing art using elements of acupressure, energy work & yoga to relieve mind-body
tension & imbalances.
10am - 11:30 Lisa Gniady · Open your Intuition, Begin today!
We all have to start somewhere. Opening to your Intuitive gifts is a journey to awakening. To get a greater understanding of the
subtle realms, you need to go deep within yourself to find the answers you seek. Discussion, Moving Affirmations to clear your
auric field, Breathwork and a Powerful Kundalini meditation will be the spark to ignite your path to awakening.
Join Lisa Gniady, Spiritual Life Coach as you journey to discover your own gifts.
11:45am - 1 Cindy Huston · Celebrate the Fall Equinox
The word equinox comes from Latin and means “equality of night and day.” The fall equinox signifies the transition from
summer to fall. In the 5 element system the fall is earth. Honoring the nourishment and nurturing we receive from the earth
within us and around us that helps humanity grow and create. What seeds did you plant in the spring, nurture in the summer,
and will be harvested in the fall? What from your harvest will sustain you throughout the winter? We will celebrate collectively
with a Restorative Yoga practice, meditation, and salt burning ceremony. Bring a list of items you would like to place in the fire
to be released. What are you ready to be complete with? Change, transform, release, and let go? Where will you choose to
focus your energy as we prepare to go inward heading toward the winter months.
Om Mani Padme Hum
1:15pm - 2:30 RU~IN Gongs · Gong Meditation - Resetting your Frequency
Please join us for a 75 minute sound healing session, using a variety of instruments for a multi-sensory experience. We will take
a journey with soothing, healing sounds and vibrations for relaxation and renewal of spirit. Led by Ron Uttke, a Reiki
Practitioner and Shamanic Healer.
PARTICIPATE
LODGING
CAMPING
Camping on site at the
Fairgrounds is available!
$22 a night - no hookups
$27 a night - with electric
$35 a night - with full hookups
Reserve your site by emailing
us indicating what type of site
you would like and which
nights you are reserving.
10brahman10@gmail.com
Please indicate the type of site
and which nights you are
reserving. Then send check to
MIDWEST YKF
14205 Newton Rd
Valders, WI 54245
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(1) Is there a brief overview of the festival?
What’s this event about? What are the hours?
Friday registration beings at 11am.
The festival officially begins Friday at 4pm and goes to 11:30pm.
The first band plays at 5pm.
Saturday registration beings at 8am.
Festival starts at 8:30am and goes to 11:30pm.
Sunday registration beings at 8am.
Festival starts at 11am (currently) and goes to 3:30pm.
The event kicks off Friday with Yoga and Kirtan workshops and events. Saturday, enjoy a full day
of Yoga and Music. Sunday, we carry out the weekend with all of the movement and mantra
music meditation your heart can hold as well as enjoy the great food and goodies from the
amazing vendors in between. You may as well just camp out! Fair-grounds are available and
ready for you to claim your spot and pitch your tents.
(2) Is there a map key? How far apart are the two stages and the yoga spaces?
Find the map key and a link to the fairground map below.
(3) Is it all indoors?
Everything is indoors though you will need to go outside to get to some of the buildings. You
should bring soft cushiony things to sit on as the floors will be concrete. Bring blankets, pillows
and whatever else you need to be comfortable. Bringing an umbrella and a poncho might be a
good idea. There might be some fun outside if the weather is kind.
(4) How close are the vendor booths to the stages?
Vendor booths are in main stage area and vendor hall.
TBD
Some campsites are as close as 100ft and some are farther away. Take a look at the map of the
fairgrounds to get a better idea. There are lots of options though so if you want more private you
can have it.
Four major shower facilities are located throughout the fairground.
Wi-Fi is free at the fairgrounds! Cell coverage is good but not great.
Parking is free and it is about 500ft from the stages. There will be some staff parking closer to
the main stage area.
Yes. Bring a bottle for water!
There will be a supervised children’s area with a childcare professional. This is located between
the Main Stage and Yoga Space 2. Look for an activities tent.
Yes. There will be some chairs for sure. We still recommend bringing blankets, bolsters, and
whatever else you need to be comfortable as we sing our hearts out!
Yes! We have a Facebook group for that. Join it here for all the info.
Well then click here to email us and we will update shortly!
Fri, Sept 20th - Sun, Sept 22nd 2019
Jefferson County Fairgrounds Jefferson, WI
Full 3 Day Festival Pass $200
Single Day Pass $100
Sean Johnson Pre-Festival Intenstive $75
“Awakening the Yogi-Artist Bhakti Yoga Intensive”
Friday, Sept 20th 11:30am - 4:30pm
All Tickets are Non-Refundable
2019 Sponsors
Check out these aweome people who helped make this festival happen!
TICKET INFORMATION
CONTACT US!
FESTIVAL PRESENTER
Gary Brachmann
14205 Newton Rd
Valders, WI 54245
10brahman10@gmail.com