OM Fest brings yoga, music, meditation and more to Riverfront Park
Williamsport Sun-Gazette | September 17, 2015
By ERICA MOTTER
Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Stop paying attention to your environment for a moment, and instead focus on yourself and your body.
Now, close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath, letting it out gradually.
Feel any more relaxed than you did a moment ago?
Most people will find that the simple act of breathing and focusing can help remove them temporarily from the stress of their environment, and make them feel calmer.
If you’re someone seeking relaxation and inner peace through yoga and meditation, you might be interested in attending an upcoming event in Loyalsock, called OM fest.
OM fest, referring to the chanted yoga mantra “OM,” is the first annual weekend-long festival that will take place from Sept. 25 to Sept. 27 in Riverfront Park. Workshops, meditation, guided yoga classes, and a variety of musical acts will all take place throughout the festival, and vendors will offer wares such as jewelry, alternative health products, crystals and vegan food.
“We are here together to join in one peace, one energy, one atmosphere of love,” the event’s website states.
To create this peaceful atmosphere, musicians from the local Kirtan community will perform their call-and-response mantras along to instrumental music, encouraging the festival attendees to join in singing and becoming active participants in the energy of the moment.
The festival will be kicked off on Friday night with the first Kirtan act, One Voice, One Prayer, a three-woman group comprised of vocalist Deva Vidya, guitarist/percussionist/vocalist Leticia, and percussionist/vocalist Deb G.
They will combine their music with a ceremony based around a Medicine Wheel, which “calls the 7 Directions, the Elementals and Spirit Guides.”
Other musicians, such as Swar Das, Sun of Man, Shakti Evolution and Catherine Moon will take the main stage for performances throughout the weekend, and interactive musical workshops will allow participants to become a part of the performance itself.
This act of collaboration among festival-goers will be a key feature of the musical acts and presenters alike.
“In our essence, we are all Divine Beings, without physicality,” OM fest’s website states. “We have been given a body to collaborate with others in this conscious field of understanding.”
In addition to providing workshops and activities for adults, OM fest also plans to host several children’s activities in a designated area, including kids’ yoga classes, an electronic music dance party and a “make your own paint” workshop.
For festival attendees who wish to stay the whole weekend, camping out at OM fest is an option—campers can purchase a weekend-long camping pass and pitch a tent to sleep in.
The event was organized by Rod and Kai Shanti Bower, a couple who is dedicated to “higher conscious community building” through their Angel of Light meditation and Shaktipat practice. They also tour the country with their own Kirtan group, Shakti Evolution, and Rod has worked to managed concerts for many national acts including Kansas, REO Speedwagon and Heart.
“We come together to celebrate our Oneness and our Peace. We come together to celebrate who we are and where we are going. We come together to celebrate our Truth,” Kai said. “This is what OM fest is about. We have seen the world awakening and becoming more and more alive with conscious understanding. And we are celebrating that in everyone we meet.”
Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased before the event at rates of $95 for a full weekend pass with camping, $80 for a full weekend pass without camping, $10 for a Friday evening only pass, $55 for a Saturday day pass and $45 for a Sunday day pass.
Tickets can also be purchased at the gate when arriving at the event, but at an increased rate.
For full information about pricing, to purchase tickets, or to learn more about the event, visit OM fest’s website at www.omfest.net.
Erica Motter 