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A yoga festival on a mission

Move, Connect, & Give Back. 

Supporting mental health and suicide awareness through community, yoga, and mindfulness.


Grand Valley Yoga Fest is a three-day celebration of yoga, music, and community set among the beautiful peach orchards in Palisade, Colorado. 

Enjoy 50+ classes and experiences with inspiring teachers and musicians while connecting with an incredible community. 

What makes GVYF unique? 100% of proceeds support mental health and suicide awareness programs in the Grand Valley. 

Come move, connect and make a difference.  

https://www.grandvalleyyogafest.com/

Venue: 1st Base - outside clear filter
Friday, May 29
 

11:00am MDT

Walking Meditation: Practicing Presence Step by Step
Friday May 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
What would it be like to walk with no particular destination in mind? Join Jere to learn about, experience, and discuss walking meditation.

A walking meditation is the practice of walking with awareness and mindfulness, paying attention to each step and the sensations in the body along the way. The goal is not to reach a particular destination, but to be fully present along the way. This helps us to cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Walking meditation can be a great complement to sitting meditation, and often is enjoyed by people who find sitting meditation to be challenging. It’s also a great way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life, as you can practice walking meditation while doing your daily activities or out for your daily walk.

NOTE: this venue is outside, be sure to bring sun protection, sunglasses, walking shoes, water, etc. 
Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Jere Friedman

Jere Friedman

Jere Friedman, J.D., M.A., CMMI, retired from his 30+ year practice as a corporate transactional attorney in 2024. He is now an Employee of the Universe – with full benefits!

He is a Gong master, certified Breathwork Healer, Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor, and the founder of Spiral Light Sound & Meditation Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. Jere also holds a Masters’ degree in Spiritual Psychology and serves as a Soul-Centered Coach... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
1st Base - outside

1:00pm MDT

The Yoga of Relationships: Exploring the Divine Mirror in Every Connection
Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Join symbolic mythologist and teacher Manoj Chalam for a transformative talk on the Yoga of Relationships—a journey into how our human connections serve as sacred mirrors for awakening and growth.Manoj will bring in statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities to illustrate the ancient wisdom for modern times.  Drawing from Vedantic philosophy, Hindu mythology, and practical wisdom, Manoj weaves humor, storytelling, and insight to reveal how every relationship—whether romantic, familial, or communal—is an opportunity to deepen our self-awareness and align with higher consciousness.

In this engaging and accessible session, participants will explore:

• How relationships reflect the unresolved or enlightened aspects of the self
• Archetypes of divine love and union through the lens of deities and symbolism
• Tools for turning friction into fuel for evolution
• The path of devotion (bhakti) in human connection


With warmth and wit, Manoj invites us to see love not just as emotion, but as a spiritual practice—a yoga. Come ready to laugh, reflect, and leave with your heart a little more open and your relationships a little more sacred. 


Manoj will help you find your personal deity archetype.


(This workshop is 80% lecture, 10% meditation, 5% Mantras and 5% light spiritual stretches.)

Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Dr. Manoj Chalam

Dr. Manoj Chalam

Murtis and Vendanta
Manoj (people call him a spiritual standup comedian) employs a uniquely entertaining interactive story telling style that uses Hindu/Buddhist deities in his workshops to illuminate Bhakti practices as well as deep nondual philosophy. He teaches at festivals, yoga events, his ashram... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
1st Base - outside

3:00pm MDT

Kirtan Workshop: Chant Your Way to Bliss
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Kirtan is call and response devotional chanting from the Bhakti Yoga tradition and commonly called  the "Heart and Soul of Bhakti Yoga".

In this heart opening and participatory workshop we will join together as a Kirtan collective and each of our voices will be a sacred petal on this fragrant flower of love.

Participants will have the opportunity to take turns in leading the kirtan and offering their unique voice in devotion.  
All voices are welcome as we are reminded that Kirtan is not a “performance” but a “prayer”. Swami Sivananda reminds us that “Life without Kirtan is like a garden with without flowers.”

Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Govind Das

Govind Das

Bhakti Yoga Shala
Govind Das is is a kirtan leader and teacher in the path of Bhakti Yoga. His inspiring kirtan and Bhakti teachings encourage the opening of the heart and developing a personal and intimate connection with Source.Govind Das believes that ancient practice of bhakti yoga and kirtan... Read More →
Friday May 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
1st Base - outside
 
Saturday, May 30
 

8:00am MDT

The Transformative Power of Mantra: Vibration as a Path to Freedom
Saturday May 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am MDT
Summary: Join us for a transformative gathering dedicated to exploring how the ancient practice of mantra can serve as a powerful path to inner and outer freedom. Learn how to harness the science of sound to cut through the stress of mental disquiet and tune your life to our higher reality.

Overview: Our inner lives are often dominated by the restless momentum of the 'monkey mind'—a relentless loop of worry and distraction. Drawing from the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, we will explore Mantra not just as a ritual, but as a psychological and spiritual anchor. In this Satsang, we move
from the theory of sound to the direct experience of liberation. We will examine how the dual practices of Japa (meditative focus) and Kirtan (devotional expression) act as a fire that burns away mental conditioning, replacing the noise of the ego with the clear, resonant vibration of the Self."

Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Swami Sankarananda Saraswati

Swami Sankarananda Saraswati

Divine Grace Yoga
For much of his life, Swami Sankarananda walked a conventional path that led to apparent success in the business world, only to discover the profound emptiness that comes from living a self-centered life. Overcome by depression and driven by a need for something real and enduring... Read More →
Saturday May 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am MDT
1st Base - outside

10:00am MDT

Writing Through your Obstacles: a creative journey with Ganesha
Saturday May 30, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
Invoke the wisdom and playful spirit of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles!  

In this immersive workshop we will open up to the creative possibilities that are always flowing when we know where and how to look for them.

This class will include a bit of light asana to clean off our energy, followed by chanting Ganesh’s seed mantra to invoke his wisdom for more clarity. Using journaling prompts inspired by Ganesha's symbolism, his broken tusk, his love of sweets, the goad he carries - participant will be invited to confront creative blocks and reimagine them as portals to reconnect to our true purpose.

Whether you are a seasoned writer or just beginning, come ready to write, play and discover what emerges when you befriend the obstacles on your path.

Bring: your journal and pens

What to expect: class will be 30% light movement and 70% discussion, mantras and journaling
Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Melanie Law

Melanie Law

Ridgway Yoga Shala
Melanie Law is the director of the Ridgway Yoga Shalaz and draws almost 30 years of experience as a yoga student & teacher. She fell in love with yoga and began a lifelong path of its traditions in Telluride, Colorado where she eventually founded the Telluride Yoga Center.

Melanie... Read More →
Saturday May 30, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
1st Base - outside

12:00pm MDT

Women’s Circle: Guided by the Power of Love
Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Step into a sacred space where love becomes the force that moves you, connects you, and inspires you to give back.
This Women’s Circle is an invitation to return to your heart—through intentional movement, authentic connection,mantra, and the quiet power of being witnessed and seen.
Inspired by Lalita—the goddess of love, beauty, and devotion—we’ll explore what it means to let love lead. Not as an idea, but as a lived experience.
You’ll be guided through:
• Gentle, intentional movement to open and awaken the body
• Heart-centered sharing and witnessing in a safe, supportive space
• Voice and mantra practices to activate and express love from within
• Sacred intention setting—what you’re ready to release and what you’re ready to invite
• Simple, embodied practices to carry love into your daily life and relationships
As your heart opens, something natural begins to unfold—you feel more connected, more alive, and more inspired to give back from a place of fullness rather than obligation.
Together, we’ll soften effort, open the heart, and allow sound to move what words alone cannot—letting devotion come alive in the body.
As love becomes embodied and expressed, it ripples outward—shifting how you connect, how you give, and how you show up in the world.
This is a space to be seen, to be felt, and to remember: love is not something you chase… it’s something you choose. And your voice is part of your power.
Come as you are. Leave feeling nourished, open, connected, and rooted in the power of love.

Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Mindy Arbuckle

Mindy Arbuckle

SOULutions Path
An ordinary woman on an extraordinary path of Shakti awakening—learning that true freedom isn’t about escaping life, it’s about living it more fully, with heart.Like many seekers, Mindy's path began with a longing for peace — a desire to feel at home within herself.Yoga opened... Read More →
Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
1st Base - outside

3:15pm MDT

Form & Formless: Yogic Deities & Enlightenment
Saturday May 30, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MDT
Join renowned storyteller, COMEDIAN and Vedanta scholar Manoj Chalam for a captivating journey into the heart of Yogic symbolism, where ancient deities become living archetypes and gateways to self-realization.

In this immersive talk, Manoj uses sacred statues (Murtis) of Hindu and Buddhist deities—like Ganesh, Lakshmi, Shiva, Buddha, and Tara—to illuminate the path of enlightenment. Through myth, humor, and deep insight, he reveals how these divine forms represent aspects of our own psyche and spiritual evolution.

Expect to explore:
  • The difference between form and formless in Yogic and Vedantic philosophy
  • How to discover your Isthadevata—your personal deity archetype
  •  Five practical ways to work with deity archetypes for spiritual growth
  • A blend of science, psychotherapy, and mythology to make ancient wisdom accessible


Whether you're a seeker, a yogi, or simply curious about the deeper meaning behind sacred symbols, this talk offers profound tools for awakening, healing, and connecting with the divine within.


Come with an open heart. Leave with a deeper understanding of your Self.
Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Dr. Manoj Chalam

Dr. Manoj Chalam

Murtis and Vendanta
Manoj (people call him a spiritual standup comedian) employs a uniquely entertaining interactive story telling style that uses Hindu/Buddhist deities in his workshops to illuminate Bhakti practices as well as deep nondual philosophy. He teaches at festivals, yoga events, his ashram... Read More →
Saturday May 30, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MDT
1st Base - outside
 
Sunday, May 31
 

10:00am MDT

Freedom Candy: Finding the Sweetness of Living Free
Sunday May 31, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
Summary: Stop waiting for a retreat to find your peace. Discover how to transform the 'grit' of daily chores, traffic, and
bills into a direct path to the True Self, anchoring your heart in an unshakable inner sanctuary.

Overview: We often feel that spiritual life happens only on a meditation cushion, while the rest of our day is a prison of distraction. In this Satsang, we bridge the gap between the sacred and the mundane by learning to 'leave a crack' for the Light in our busiest moments.

Using the 'Interior Cell' of the heart, we explore how to remain grounded as the Witness even while navigating money distress, physical pain, or the noise of the world. By reclaiming the small pauses in our day, we stop being victims of circumstance and start living from the Silence that is our real name. This gathering offers a practical roadmap to 'Meditation in Motion,' turning every ordinary task into a sweet expression of inherent liberty.
Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Swami Sankarananda Saraswati

Swami Sankarananda Saraswati

Divine Grace Yoga
For much of his life, Swami Sankarananda walked a conventional path that led to apparent success in the business world, only to discover the profound emptiness that comes from living a self-centered life. Overcome by depression and driven by a need for something real and enduring... Read More →
Sunday May 31, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
1st Base - outside

12:00pm MDT

Men’s Circle for Real Life Awakening: The Path of Freedom
Sunday May 31, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
What if the thing keeping you stuck… isn’t your life—but your relationship to it?
In this experiential men’s circle, we’ll explore a different path—one that doesn’t require fixing yourself, pushing harder, or becoming someone new. Instead, we’ll practice what it means to wake up inside the life you already have.
Drawing from themes in Living AWAKE: A Guide to the Path of Freedom, this circle blends modern psychology, nervous system awareness, and timeless wisdom to help you:
  • Recognize the patterns that keep you stuck in stress, striving, or disconnection
  • Understand why insight alone isn’t enough—and what actually creates change
  • Learn how to work with your nervous system instead of against it
  • Practice the “sacred pause” so you can respond rather than react
  • Experience what it feels like to shift from pressure and performance… into presence and freedom
This is not group therapy, and it’s not about sharing your deepest story (unless you want to). It’s a grounded, real, and supportive space for men to slow down, reconnect, and remember what’s already here.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply curious about a deeper way of living—this circle offers a direct experience of moving from stuck… to free.
Come as you are.

Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Erik Vienneau MA, LPC

Erik Vienneau MA, LPC

AWAKE Mindful Living
Erik Vienneau is a therapist and teacher who helps people move from stuck and striving into presence and freedom. Blending psychology, nervous system awareness, and mindfulness, his work offers a grounded, real-life path to awakening.

He leads retreats, men’s circles, and commu... Read More →
Sunday May 31, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
1st Base - outside

1:15pm MDT

Awaken Shakti - The Goddess Archetype in your Heroine’s Journey
Sunday May 31, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT
Manoj will bring statues of yogic Goddesses and relate them to your personal archetypes.  The pinnacle of the Goddess archetype is the Wisdom Goddess with side archetypes of the Mother and the luminous Devi. Discover the archetypes of the slumbering Goddesses or Shakti within us as Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali, Durga, Tara and Kwan Yin. Unleash this Shakti, within you as the creative power of the One. This Shakti archetype guides us through all aspects of life transitions such as adulthood, relationships, marriage, parenting, profession, mentoring and finally enlightenment. With Shakti's guidance, we are able to fully express the heroine’s journey to Self Actualization. Manoj will help you find your personal deity Goddess archetype.

This class is suitable for men and women.

(This workshop is 80% lecture, 10% meditation, 5% Mantras and 5% light spiritual stretches.)
Teachers & Presenters
avatar for Dr. Manoj Chalam

Dr. Manoj Chalam

Murtis and Vendanta
Manoj (people call him a spiritual standup comedian) employs a uniquely entertaining interactive story telling style that uses Hindu/Buddhist deities in his workshops to illuminate Bhakti practices as well as deep nondual philosophy. He teaches at festivals, yoga events, his ashram... Read More →
Sunday May 31, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT
1st Base - outside
 
2026 Grand Valley Yoga Fest
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