I stumbled on the Wanderlust Festival in Snowshoe, West Virginia quite by accident. Late one night, scrolling through Instagram, something beautiful and yogic caught my attention and by a slew of clicks, I discovered the Wanderlust company.
I turn 40 this year and, while not bemoaning the loss of my vibrant youth, it certainly has a place in my consciousness in 2018. I still haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up, but I have figured out who I am as I grow up. This, in turn, has allowed me the freedom to do the things I want, the things that fulfill me. And this is ever truer today than it was in my 20s when I worried about careers, goals, relationships, and the “end game.” I am not yet at my end game, but I am now an experienced player on the pitch and don’t worry so much if I am a starter or warming the bench for a little while.
All this to say that, after years of dreaming about attending a yoga retreat, I felt like staring down 40 could be the kick I needed to make it happen. Yoga retreat or bust!
The reality is, I am a mom to two little kids and wife to a man whose job keeps us with food and housing. Spending thousands of dollars to haul to Costa Rica for a week wasn’t feasible. Plus, I am too old and cranky to live in a dormitory with a bunch of super flexible 20-year-olds. So when Wanderlust hit my Instagram feed that night, I dove in.
Why Wanderlust Festival Snowshoe was perfect for me:
- I could craft my own adventure. By registering early, I had my pick of all the classes I wanted to take (the popular classes fill up fast, so if you are thinking of going, decide quick!). I wasn’t beholden to a schedule set by a yoga studio, but I could put blocks together of what I wanted. Additionally, if I changed my mind, I could simply modify my schedule through the app. I was able to follow my own desires and needs.
- I could find my own lodging, based on budget. Wanderlust had camping available, but Snowshoe is a ski resort, so I was able to find an Air B&B efficiency in the center of the village that allowed me to stay on my own, have a mini-fridge, and bask in quiet and respite.
- I could drive there. Truth is, you have to drive to Snowshoe. Snowshoe is in the mountains of West Virginia and while stunning and gorgeous (I have been skiing here many times and enjoyed my experience there in the summer most of all), it is isolated. While this saved on a plane ticket for me, it was a lot of hours in a car.
- It pushed my yoga to the next level. I have been faithfully practicing yoga for over seven years and been contemplating yoga teacher training. But being fully immersed in a weekend surrounded by some of the most amazing yoga instructors (more on that below) opened my eyes to how diverse yoga truly is and how much I love the practice in my life. Yoga means many things to me and has changed my life (but that’s for another article) so exploring it with abandon was fun.
- It wasn’t just about yoga. Wanderlust Festival appealed to me because, while oozing with yoga classes (including SUP, aerial, and acrobatic yoga), there were also meditation classes, coached runs, seminars, guided hikes (one of my favorite things there!), music, artists, and more. Wanderlust brands itself as more of a healthy lifestyle promoter, and I think that’s accurate. I appreciated that while in Snowshoe, the Festival offered additional opportunities to explore life, not just the yoga mat.
- I could eat and drink what I wanted. I love eating healthy, it’s part of my overall lifestyle. But I will be honest: when I am away from my kids, I want to have a delicious glass of red wine at night while I curl up, exhausted with yoga muscles, and read my book in peace.
Some things to know about Wanderlust Festival Snowshoe:
- This is not for yoga beginners. These yoga instructors were the real deal. Many of them are from LA, and a few are even sponsored adidas athletes. They all assume a basic knowledge and comfort of yoga (including a traditional vinyasa flow) and move into advanced concepts and moves. You really do need to have a strong base practice of your own before heading here. Nearly all of the yoga classes I took were geared more toward a power yoga, or yoga for fitness, focus. This is not a festival to go to if you want gentle stretching. My core was wildly sore after Chelsey Korus’ class.
- Snowshoe is remote. As shared above, it isn’t easy to get here, although it does lend itself to sweeping vistas and an opportunity to commune with nature. But get your groceries (and wine) well before you get there. Print out directions as you will likely not have cell phone service. And get gas before you climb up.
- You may not be able to do as many classes as you think you can. To save money, I bought a limited class option, not the all-access pass. And when constructing my schedule, I was bummed by this. There were so many things I wanted to try. But once at Wanderlust, I found my legs happily weary and knew I was maxed out anyhow. I didn’t even make it to late night music activities, despite my enthusiasm, as I was happy to curl up in my big bed.
- Take a backpack. Obviously, you need a yoga mat, water bottle, etc., but as I spent most of the day walking around and to-and-from venues, having the backpack was key.
- Don’t be afraid to go solo. A lot of attendees were there in groups, of course, with friends. I saw many joyful reunions. But I loved being there by myself. I am out of practice being alone and was worried it would feel isolating and unenjoyable. But the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted, to spend time in thought and contemplation (or reading), to go to bed at 9:00 without having to justify it, was so comforting. I came back feeling refreshed and more in tune with myself than before.
There were so many things I learned (about yoga, meditation, and myself) that were valuable treasures. That quiet weekend in Snowshoe, West Virginia, was a gift to my heart. I am so glad I did this, and I look forward to seeing where my true north points at the next Wanderlust Festival I have the honor to attend.