April 28, 2018
Malibu, CA- Do you believe in making the world a better place through yoga, meditation, multigenerational collaboration and teamwork? Yoga teacher Natalie Backman Spirova does! And she is doing just that with her successful manifestation of Imagine Fest– a bohemian-inspired Yoga & Live Sacred Music Festival that gives all of its proceeds to the non-profit Unlikely Heroes, a Los Angeles-based charity that rescues and rehabilitates child victims of sex trafficking domestically and abroad.
The third annual free-spirited outdoor music and yoga event took place last weekend on the beautiful rustic grounds of Peter Strauss Ranch in Malibu. A community-based core of 100+ volunteers that included students, professionals, yogis, artists, musicians and kids all came together to spend a day in nature and share the message of peace, love and compassion for all living creatures.
The idea for Imagine Fest was born when founder Spirova read a small article about Unlikely Heroes in LA Yoga Magazine in 2014. She tore out the page and contacted UH founder Erica Greve, resolving to do something to bring hope, love and light to those in need. Thus, Imagine Fest was born.
Using her experience in event planning, Spirova produced the first Imagine Fest in September 2015 with a powerhouse team of volunteers, attracting more than 2,000 attendees.
Spirova was inspired to name Imagine Fest after the John Lennon song Imagine. “I choose to believe this ‘imagined’ world is a possibility,” she says. “I choose to believe that each of us has the power to affect positive change in our own lives, our community and in the lives of other human beings all over the world. I choose to believe that it can be as simple as stepping out of our daily concerns to focus our attention on the role we all must play in transitioning from what we currently are, to what we can become.”
Now in its third year, Imagine Fest offered a strong lineup of yoga taught by top SoCal instructors including Sesa O’Conner, Mary Bruce, Julie Kundert, Daniel Stewart and Sri Hari Moss; meditation was led by Tracee Stanley and John Vosler, and inspirational speakers Erica Greve, SriMati and De Jur.
The heart of the festival came from live music performances by Shawni and conscious music collective Satsang as well as kirtan with Daniel Stewart and Govind Das & Radha. In the gypsy camp-inspired Vendor Village, local artisans sold clothing, hand-crafted jewelry, skin care, unique gifts and collectibles. Additional experiences included children’s programming with the Peace Guardians, sound healing, reiki, kirtan, acro yoga and healthy delectable cuisine from local food trucks.
Imagine Fest is ideal for conscious community members of all ages in the greater Los Angeles area. Bring the whole tribe! Including friendly dogs!
Unlikely Heroes is a local non-profit organization committed to rescuing and rehabilitating child victims of sex-trafficking in countries such as Nigeria, Thailand, the Philippines, Mexico and the United States.
For more info about UNLIKELY HEROES, click HERE
To Attend or Volunteer at the next Imagine Fest, Click HERE
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