You are wearing comfortable clothes, probably the usual lycra from the gym or, if concern about climate change and ecology has pushed you a step further, organic cotton garments in earth tones, ocher or white. You take off your shoes, finally freeing your feet (also from your socks: you must feel the strength and the possibility of grip of those always locked fingers) and breathing only through your nose (unless your practice incorporates certain advanced pranayamas) you link each inhalation and exhalation in the asanas (or what is the same, postures) that they will dictate to you with animal names or in Sanskrit. Everything to give the best version of yourself.
Everything to walk that new path towards spirituality, relaxation and, why not, to stay in shape in which, according to the WHO, more than 300 million people around the world have already fallen. This practice, which can be more or less physical, will make it easier for you to connect decisively (and only) with your breathing, which in the end is the only thing that counts, designed to arrive. And forget, to be practical, about absurd worries like the shopping list and then, one day, be able to make life decisions (on and off the mat) in that new state of consciousness. Very complicated because the idea is that you don't feel bad or contradicted. Don't feel like a Western impostor seeking peace in an Eastern key.
Explaining and making available the experiences of the teachers who are in this process is the intention of the festivals with which The Yoga Gallery enters truly unique spaces. Without having to go to the other side of the world, without going on a retreat to India or Bali, it offers initiated or debuting yogis “unprecedented experiences in unique places, designed to make it a benchmark for yoga in Southern Europe.” Unique and with an imposing spiritual charge since the first festival takes place between April 22 and 28 in the monumental complex of La Seu Vella, La Panera or Espacio Cavallers in Lleida, while during the first week of June it will be held in the beautiful and white Menorcan island of Lazaretto.
Yoga teacher Gabriel Pena, co-director and founder of this event, which he defines as "a safe place where anyone can create, connect and grow in a unique and genuine experience for those who seek or understand yoga as a tool for the entire life", explains that "yoga also provides the keys to face the mental health challenges of our times and becomes a refuge, another way of living in a sustainable and supportive world."
Twenty teachers and artists from different countries will teach a total of 50 hours of practices of different yoga classes such as Hatha, Kundalini, Yin or Vinyasa, meditation. Local teachers will also participate in the festival, who will lead the first part of the festival, which is known as TYG OFF, a series of free classes in different locations in the city of Lleida and Maó.
The festival also has two "laboratory" sessions, a concept in which The Yoga Gallery opts for seemingly impossible pairings, as it is a mix of electronic music and video projection, by Arms
In this sense, the presence of the British James Crossley stands out, who apart from teaching Yin Yoga sessions, will explain his turn to the spiritual dimension of yoga and sound therapy after having been a bodybuilder and a media personality in the United Kingdom. Other teachers and instructors that make up the program are Rochelle Mello, Alexis Racionero, Mireia Coma-Cros, Olga Oskorbina, Mitch Burnett, Sandra Arnaiz, Yolanda Modrego.
As for the more musical program, you can enjoy the spiritual music of Xarim Aresté, and a concert in the Seu Vella by one of the leaders of emotional music and kirtan such as Ravi Ramoneda.
As the festivals last practically the entire week, non-resident yogis have an initiative that is not new (it is the second year that TYG has developed this unique proposal) but continues to surprise those who do not know it. This is "Adopt a Yogi", a program that encourages Ilerdense and Menorcan homes in the territory to open their doors to welcome festival participants, in exchange for free tickets. In this way and in line with the philosophy of the festival, The Yoga Gallery promotes coexistence and relationships between yoga lovers while they share and discover the city with its people.
