an elephantjournal.com recommended and sponsored event

Denver Yoga Studios are coming together to inspire community and provide support during this era of radically shifting work, life and values.

“Spark the Fire – Igniting Yoga and Conscious Community” hopes to draw as many as 1,000 Colorado yoga practitioners to the New Hope Baptist Church in Denver.  This first annual event sponsored by the Colorado Yoga Studio Collective (CYSC), will feature internationally recognized speakers and yoga teachers as well as local yoga teachers representing the variety and depth of artistry available in Denver and Boulder yoga.

This conference will explore the opportunities and challenges in building strong, supportive communities, while fully celebrating yoga in Denver. “The big question being asked of all of us today is ‘how can I contribute?’  The ‘what’s in it for me?’ mentality just won’t work anymore.  Those who thrive in this time of uncertainty will be those who can understand how to create and strengthen the values that aid us in transitioning from a culture of ‘me first’ to ‘community first’ “, says Spark the Fire organizer Madhuri Martin.

Keynote speaker Martin Prechtel will open the event on Friday night. During an era of economic and environmental crisis, his remembrance of teachings long forgotten by modern Western culture are as profound as they are timely. 

Evon Peter, former chief of the Guichin Tribe of Arctic Village, Alaska, will speak on Saturday night, addressing our current condition, both personally and globally, the challenges we face and our need to wrestle with this situation for the welfare of ourselves, our community and our planet

“Denver yogis are inviting in the unique clarity of these speakers who recognize the need to dramatically shift our viewpoint” said Madhuri Martin. “This weekend offers us a valuable opportunity to explore the possibilities of community; both in its origins and for our vision of the future.”

There will also be a celebration with live music by internationally renowned singer/songwriter Lerranie Horstmanshoff.  A full community celebration – Ghanian-Style with Nii Armah Sowah, a silent auction, food and festivities.

“Spark the Fire” has been inspired in part by President Barack Obama’s call for all Americans to contribute to the communities in which we live.  The event is a fundraiser with proceeds going to benefit four community non-profit groups including the CYSC, which is dedicated to sustaining independent yoga studios, yoga teachers and the health and well-being of the Colorado yoga community.

“Yoga does more than improve health and happiness, yoga makes people able – able to shift, to adapt, to become more flexible in their bodies, minds and hearts.  Yoga and yoga studios are empowering people to adapt and even thrive. This event will simply formalize what we already understand from our yoga practice, we need to wake up!  Get conscious and act yogically as we proceed into the next decade,” Madhuri Martin said.

Spark The Fire offers an innovative solution to the pressing issues of loss of livelihood facing our community.  The Sunday “Yoga Tavern” events, will Spark connections between skill sets and employment opportunities, as well as inform people of re-training opportunities in “green technologies.” Forums speaking toward livelihood concerns and break-out sessions will be held on Sunday from 11:00 – 6:00 and are free to the public. See the www.sparkthefire.com for details.
 
Spark the Fire participants can also sign up to be part of a community resource list, making the skills of the yoga community accessible and encouraging us to buy, barter and trade with each other for goods and services.

Every yoga student and teacher in the Denver area can participate in some way.

#1 – Attend the event.  Tickets are inexpensive and the yoga will be rocking! www.sparkthefire.com

#2 – Donate Silent Auction Items – contact Kathryn at [email protected]

#3 – Donate to help support Denver yoga studios. Online at: www.sparkthefire.com. All donations are 100% tax-deductable.

For more information and tickets, visit: www.sparkthefire.com.  Tickets for Friday and Saturday evening speakers and events are $20.  Full weekend tickets are $100.  A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. 

Spark The Fire
First Annual Denver Yoga Conference
Sponsored by the collective of Independent Yoga Studios
May 29th – 31st
3701 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, Colorado 80205
Martin Pretchel will also be featured on Duncan Campbell’s “Living Dialogues” program aired Sunday May 24th on KGNU at 12:30pm.