We all have that friend for whom the festival circuit isn’t just a season, it’s a lifestyle. From Coachella to Lightning in a Bottle to Burning Man we see Instagram feeds stacked with concert shots, giant art installations, and 100’s of people downward dogging in the desert. There’s a certain magic to the different world one retreats to on a three-day escape from everyday life, but those #festivalvibes require a certain level of commitment (and money). If you’re looking for a beginners intro to the festival life with a scene that is more about mindfulness than getting out of your mind, Wanderlust 108 has got you covered. The 2017 tour from 4-day yoga festival Wanderlust is still making it’s way around the world.
We chatted with Wanderlust Co-Founder Sean Hoess on why the company decided to think beyond their popular destination festivals and wellness centers to launch the Wanderlust 108 tour.
What is Wanderlust 108?
Wanderlust 108 is a day combining three mindful activities — running, yoga and, mediation — in your favorite local park or outdoor location. We think of 108 as an urban retreat. Often they are in large parks, very green around nature. I think the combination of sun and nature and yoga/meditation/running puts you in a more relaxed, mindful state.
Why launch Wanderlust 108?
The question is always how do we get more people to try yoga and meditation? The people who usually go to the four-day festivals are already in yoga. The 108 days are more accessible –- with a younger and less experienced audience.
Why go to a one-day or four-day festival instead of just doing yoga in a studio?
There is something really powerful about being part of something large scale. We all have these hectic and intense lives with lots of distractions. There is a lot less selfie taking and more person to person interaction at our events. Yoga and meditation in general opens people up and makes them a lot less guarded. It’s the activities you’re pursuing but also who you’re pursuing it with. Something about it restores a little faith in humanity and maybe that’s something we all need right now.
Are most Wanderlust 108 Attendees locals?
80% are local in the city but people are coming from 100s of miles away and some are even flying in which really surprised us. We were expecting them to be really local.
How did you pick the cities for Wanderlust 108?
Originally we picked the cities that have a really high percentage of fitness and yoga. Since we have expanded we are now in 36 cities and our criteria is more about routing and large population centers. We’ve tried a lot of places. I don’t think people think of New Orleans as a hot bed of yoga but our event there went really well.
Do you think traveling for an experience like Wanderlust is increasing?
People will travel for yoga when they are passionate about it. Destination events or experience in general is increasing. People want to have that unique experience that they feel like is theirs.
