Yoga takes flight at Hotel Del

Acro yogis flying and spinning over a beach cliff. Just another typical day in San Diego paradise. And with the seasonal arrival of the county fair and high-rise rooftop pool parties, Yoga Journal LIVE returns in June for a Coachella-style yogi extravaganza.

For the past 20 years, Yoga Journal, the magazine and website also known as YJ, has hosted major annual events in cities around the U.S. that offer more than 100 classes representing multiple styles and accessible to all levels with more than 40 master teachers, free community classes, intensive workshops, and keynote presenters.

This summer marks the third appearance of Yoga Journal LIVE in San Diego with the Hotel del Coronado as the launching pad this year. Our very own flying yogini Britta Rael takes the pilot’s seat to navigate attendees through the art of flight as part of YJ’s faculty line-up.

Last winter, DiscoverSD caught up with Rael, a certified AcroYoga and YogaSlacker instructor, at the historic former police headquarters where she was teamed up with fitness coaches from all over San Diego to bring free yoga to the community. Rael is pretty much an airborne landmark herself when it comes to yogis somersaulting and floating off the edges of local beach cliffs or over the rooftop studio at Trilogy in La Jolla. Her passion is sharing the joy of divine play with the community.

“During the week of conference events, you can choose from three classes that I’ll be team teaching with Amy Impellizzeri,” Rael said. “The classes are basically a reflection of what I’m currently teaching around the county. Heart-Opening Flight School is an exploration into back bends and partner-flying in a safe, supported environment. AcroYoga Flight School will be about learning trust, communication, playfulness, strength and teamwork while learning to fly. And AcroYoga Asanas will explore the postures that are the foundation of AcroYoga and Thai Yoga Massage. What we want people to know is that all levels are welcome.”

The conference will take place from June 25-29. You can register online for the full YJ LIVE event to attend any activity, or you can select from a variety of passes that will include the AcroYoga offerings - main weekend event pass, one-day pass, three-class pass, or single class pass. Check out the schedule to get the best deal for this line-up of teachers, classes, workshops, keynote speakers and events. There are even work-trade opportunities-apply early online!

“Yoga Journal LIVE is such a great way to showcase the practice of acro and share it with our local community and visitors at the conference,” Rael said. “They are all introductory classes to give anyone and everyone a chance to come and try it on. We are here to share the stepping stones to create a foundation for your practice so that whether you’re an ashtanga yogi or you’ve never taken a yoga class, we can together learn how to support each other to explore body awareness and trust, realize your true potential, and feel the joy and thrill of flying.”

AcroYoga at Yoga Journal LIVE

When: June 25-29

Where: Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado

Online: YJevents.com/sd/

Contact: (800) 561-9398 or registration@YJMag.com

Anna Mueco has been a student of hatha and kriya yoga since 2003. Mueco became a yoga instructor in 2006 and currently teaches in Pacific Beach. Send your thoughts about the yoga world to her at anna@HyperNinjaYoga.com.

Source: DiscoverSD