Good evening! Today was my final full day at Wanderlust (I am planning to sneak in one morning yoga session before my flight tomorrow if I have time!) and ever since 8 a.m., I’ve been jumping from session to session but simultaneously trying my best to stop and soak it all in.
For today’s Things I’m Loving Friday post, I figured I would change it up and focus it on my final day at Wanderlust and morph it into a recap/Friday Favorites/brain dump of a post. I have a lot to share, so let’s get to it!
Things I’m Loving Friday: Wanderlust Festival Edition
- Power Yoga For Runners
The 8 a.m. Power Yoga For Runners session was my first session of the day. It was also one of my favorite sessions of Wanderlust because I felt like it was very applicable to my life. It reminded me about some of the reasons I choose to practice yoga — as a supplement to other forms of exercise and as a way to focus on my body. To breathe, stretch, escape, prevent injuries, strengthen my body and mind and work on alignment. While many people attending Wanderlust are yoga devotees, it was nice to connect with some other people who came to Wanderlust who enjoy yoga in the same capacity I do.
The session was led by Gwen Lawrence, a yoga instructor for a number of professional sports teams (including the New York Giants and the Yankees) and the founder of a power yoga for sports program created to “maximize the effects of yoga and minimize the time, honing in on an athlete’s needs and leaving out the fluff.” She focuses on injury prevention and the power yoga for runners practice she took us through this morning incorporated lots of work that focused on our hips, ankles, hamstrings, IT bands (<—ouch!), quads and core. It was a great session and I would take her class regularly if it was offered in Charlotte.
- Music
It seems like every time I came out of a session at Wanderlust, I was greeted by music! Whether a DJ was blasting an energetic mix or a small band of musicians were performing live, there was always something to listen to and enjoy. I am a big fan of live music and tried my best to take little breaks throughout the day to simply sit and watch the artists.
- “Have Your Cake And Your Vegetables Too” Session
Sarah Copeland led this session and I and felt like I was nodding my head and taking notes the entire time. I loved her food philosophy. The underlying theme of her talk seemed to be “eat the way you want to feel.” Simple, right? She noted the importance of indulging every now and then, but emphasized the importance of choosing foods you know are good for you and selecting foods that provide you with nourishment and nutrients. Those are the foods that will make you feel the best. If you guys are interested, I’m happy to type up my notes from her talk to share with you in a similar style to the notes I shared on Thursday’s Sports Nutrition Discussion post. Just let me know! It was a great session.
- Hearty Eats Food Truck
This food truck served as the source of my lunch for both days of Wanderlust. I thought the curry dish I ordered on Thursday was so darn delicious that I went back today and ordered their Thai noodle bowl. Both times I washed down my meals with and hibiscus ginger cooler that was incredibly refreshing.
- “Dance Like Nobody’s Watching” Session
I signed up for this session at the last minute because I simply love to dance. I am unfortunately a horrible dancer. When I read the session description, it sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to dance my heart out in a judgment-free place. Goofy dancing is right up my alley and Hemalayaa Behl did a fantastic job making everyone feel comfortable. The music DJ Drez blasted made it hard not to want to shake my booty! After about 30 minutes of exercises on the mat that loosened everyone up, we spent the next 30 minutes shaking our booties, following light direction from Hemalayaa who encouraged everyone to remember what it felt like to dance as a child when we weren’t concerned about looking like a fool. It was freeing and fun!
- Mandala Art Installation
While I ate lunch during both days of Wanderlust, I parked myself in front of the mandala art installation at the Kashi booth to watch the artist work. Everything you see above is made from single seeds, nuts and beans. The artist, Cathy McMurray, will be working throughout the festival and the mandala should be complete and take up the entire black square by Sunday. So neat!
- Yummy Samples
Free samples were everywhere at Wanderlust and I had fun chatting with the various vendors and sampling some delicious goodies. I tried a number of products I will definitely be on the lookout for at home, including Tumeric Cold-Pressed Juice, So Delicious coconut milk mini vanilla ice cream sandwiches, Kashi Simply Maze gluten-free cereal (my breakfast this morning!), Krave jerky, Lifeway frozen kefir coconut bars (LOVE) and coco libre coconut water (not the protein coconut water – that was gross!).
- Gabrielle Bernstein
I was stoked to hear Gabby speak! I’ve never read any of her books or heard her speak in the past, but I’ve read about her and was excited to sit in on her session this afternoon. She was super spunky and easy to listen to and her energy on stage radiated through the room. She emphasized the importance of everyone “being the light” in life and encouraged us to bring light and energy to those around us. (For those who may be interested, during the part of her talk that addressed healing, she played this song that I thought was pretty, powerful and almost haunting.)
- The People
On the first day of Wanderlust I was a little concerned I’d feel slightly lonely because it seems like a lot of people come to the festival with friends and I came solo. Fortunately this was not the case at all. People were incredibly friendly and I had fun chatting with some fellow attendees today. I heard a handful of incredible stories from women including stories about overcoming addictions, fighting cancer, losing 100 pounds, qualifying for the Boston Marathon and more. While I’m chatting about the people at Wanderlust, I must also give a shout out to the volunteers who were so helpful and approachable. Thank you!
Question of the Evening
- What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Your yoga class this morning sounds like it was a lot of fun.
The mandala looks great so far – I’d love to see what it looks like when it’s done.
Hi Julie, I’d love to learn more about your experience at Sarah Copeland’s session! Thanks 🙂
Same here! I am really interested in her philosophy 🙂
That festival sounds awesome! I sometimes have a hard time getting into the yoga/meditation thing (hanging out with a tree for an hour wouldn’t have happened for me either), but I’m learning how beneficial it can be. Just going to yoga once a week is helpful for all the running I do.
Safe travels home tomorrow!
Sounds like a ton of fun! I am loving almond butter and chia pudding this week!
I love both of those, too! Yum!
Hi Julie, what was the song that Gabby played at her session? The link brings you to groove shark.com where there are several songs listed. Wanderlust sounded amazing. Thank you for the recap and I too would love to hear more about Sarah Copeland’s session. Thanks! 🙂
Oh no how weird! The link is working for me :/ The song is called “Guru Ram Das (Healing)” by Gurunam Singh. It’s great!
That Mandala is amazing! I remember back in college we had a resident artist do a similar piece. It was so cool to see it unfold. Also, yes please do tell us more about the session with Sarah Copeland!
I’d love to hear more about the Sarah Copeland session!
You got it!! 🙂
I’m so glad you are having a good trip! I am loving my new nephew who was born yesterday!!!
How exciting!!
I’m loving the fact that I only have to teach one class on Saturday and then have a free day. My new personal training job at Equinox is SUPER busy and I’ve been go-go-go everyday. I’m thankful for some downtime. I didn’t get in a yoga session this week, but I usually try to fit in at least one. Sounds like a wonderful time!
Cool festival. I’d love to attend. Wish it came to Seattle!
The “Dance like nobody’s watching” session sounds amazing. Gyms should start hosting classes like that. I’ve been wanted to do a dance class or something like it for a while now. And… I am loving that is finally feels like summer in Connecticut!
This festival looks amazing!! I bet hearing Gabby speak was ridiculously inspiring!!
This sounds like a lot of fun! I’m glad that you’re going to share more about your experience. 🙂 I’m loving summer right now and getting to spend time in the ocean.
How fun! I’ve always thought Wanderlust would be a really cool event to go to. Maybe next year?! 🙂
I wanted to share that there is a great Yoga for runners class in Charlotte (actually Huntersville where based on your pictures lately I think you are!) through Upgrade Lifestyle. The class is run by Courtney. It’s at 5:30 on Fridays but it is a small group of runners that are awesome. She also does a Yoga for Runners class at Gotta Yoga I believe on Sunday afternoons. Upgrade also offers a great speed class on Monday with a running coach named Megan Hovis if you are interested in that. I hope you are enjoying your life in Charlotte. I moved to Boston last year but lived there for 8 years. My parents are still there and I’m heading down next week!!
Awesome!!! Thank you!!!
Hearty Eats food truck was started and is run by one of my fiance’s best friends! Its so good to see them doing well!
It was seriously SO GOOD.
sounds like an awesome festival!! i’d love to be there, maybe next year 😀
today i’m loving the sunshine! will go into town later to get some work done and enjoy the lovely day 🙂
I would love to hear about the Nutrition session too!
I’m loving these gluten free waffles I have been making and have eaten every day this week. 🙂
All of those session sound amazing! I’m totally with you on the yoga, that session sounds like it would be perfect for me! I’ll have to try to find a similar class around here!
I would love to hear more about the nutrition session!
This week I am loving finding my groove again after spending 5 days at my parents house with my brother and his family (6 adults and 7 kids under one roof was a bit crazy!!)
Enjoy your weekend!
I would LOVE to read your notes on her nutrition philosophy! That sounds so great.
That dance sesh sounds so fun and refreshing!
I’d love to see your notes on the have your cake and eat it too session!
Hi Julie,
Glad you’re having fun. I would love to hear more about the sports nutrition talk. Eating what your body craves, in moderation, and only feeding it with good fuel really does make you feel better. I’d love to learn more. Thanks!
You got it! 🙂
I would definitely LOVE a run-down of the Have your Cake & Eat your Vegetables too talk!!! That’s right up my alley as a vegetarian & an obsessive sweets lover! I took one particular yoga class that sticks out in my mind and I want to start teaching yoga myself just so I can “teach” and “partake” in that type of yoga because I haven’t found anything like it since then! The yoga for runners session would have been my favorite part too!
Please post your notes on Sarah’s talk.
Is it creepy that I noticed you changed your About Me to say Charlotte?? 🙂 Hope you and Ryan are loving the change!
Haha not at all!! Thanks for the kind wishes, Rachel!
Wow, this seems like such a fun event! I am trying to get into yoga more and believe this could be a good way to do so. The “Dance Like Nobody’s Watching” session is SO up my alley – I would’ve been all over that!
It looks like this festival is phenomenal and you are drinking it all in! I love the philosophy that you got to listen to about choosing healthy options based on how you want to feel and not forgetting to indulge. Also, that Thai bowl looks fantastic! I wish we had one of those food trucks around here everyday! Have a safe flight back!
I would love to read your notes from the Have Your Cake and Your Vegetables Too talk! I loved the notes from the Sports Nutrition talk. I felt like I really got a good digest of the talk from your write up without having actually been there. 😀
This sounds like such a fun experience. I would love to hear more about the Nutrition class you were in. Sounds like a good one!
Share the notes!! Thank you. 🙂
I’d love to hear more about Sarah Copeland’s talk! I would also love a yoga for runners class, I’m going to have to look for one in NJ.
This looks like such a great festival. Love the mandala installation!
I would be really interested to hear more about your session with Sarah Copeland! Julie, you are so lucky to attend all these amazing events – but you do deserve it!
These all look so awesome! I have seen Krave jerky in the stores lately and thought about picking it up for a snack. Which flavors did you like best?
You have definitely made me want to check out Wanderlust next year! Love the pictures. The sessions seem so nourishing and positive and energized, and the food looks delicious!
Here are some things I’m loving right now PLUS a giveaway! http://daybydaymasterpiece.com/2014/06/20/fabulous-friday-25-giveaway/
I would love to hear your notes on Sarah Copeland’s seminar.
Wow! It looks like you are having a lot of fun! I love the picture you took of your food and drink in the grass. It looks so summery and healthy!
I would LOVE to check out a Wanderlust Festival. I really don’t want to go alone – thanks for being encouraging about the solo experience.
The longest day of the year!!! Woot woooot
This sounds like an amazing time! I’d love to try that power yoga class.
Count me as one more person who is interested in the notes from Sara Copeland’s presentation. :0)
The festival looks so fun! Like many others, I’d definitely love to hear more about Sarah Copeland’s talk! Also love that you have introduced me to power yoga for runners. I’m absolutely getting that DVD asap! 🙂
Hi Julie,
Hope you are doing well in NC!
You always provide us fun and great events info and reports! I love reading all of them!
I am would love to read your note from Sarah Copeland session.
I loved reading your note from Nancy (even though I was in the session in real time! haha)
Great write-up explaining the essence of the festival. I can’t wait for it next week. I agree that the music and the people are great! I just I love the vibe of Wanderlust. It’s one of the most tolerable and straight-up friendliest of festivals. You’ll be completely hooked once you’ve experienced the feeling that everyone is your friend before you’ve even met and thus introductions are paired with hugs instead of handshakes or suspicious looks. So look for me at Wanderlust. I’ll be shooting a promo video for my new boho style harem pants store. If you want to model some awesome pants in it, I’ll whip mine off right there & give them to you!! (here’s 25% off code “WANDER” if you want a clean pair haha)