Wanderlust Festival returns to Snowmass today

The world’s first and only yoga retreat meets music and arts festival returns to Snowmass today.

Back for its third consecutive year, Wanderlust Festival kicks off with several activities beginning at 8 a.m. and will cap off with a yoga dance party Sunday at 4 p.m.

Wanderlust’s ability to merge music and yoga set the event apart from other festivals, said Boulder-based yoga instructor Gina Caputo, who will lead hikes and meditation and yoga classes at the Snowmass festival.

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“While there are now many music festivals with a little yoga and many yoga festivals with a little music, this festival is the only one that truly showcases both equally,” Caputo said.

Wanderlust takes its yoga practice to the next level, from aerial yoga classes with silk hammocks to glow-in-the-dark blacklight yoga.

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This year’s festival also will offer acroyoga classes, whereby yogis partner up and balance atop the other’s legs, as well as stand-up paddleboard yoga on the water.

Wanderlust also draws incredible talent to the valley, said Dave Elkan, Snowmass Tourism groups and events manager.

Headlining this year’s festival are artists Xavier Rudd and Steel Pulse, who, along with several other performers, will play free concerts all weekend (see sidebar).

Wanderlust’s origins trace back to 2008, when two New York-based music executives, business partners and best friends decided they would start the world’s first-ever yoga retreat combined with a music and arts festival.

At the time, the concept was perceived as a little wacky, Wanderlust Festival co-founder Sean Hoess said, adding that, “there was definitely some negative feedback.”

Fast-forward seven years, Wanderlust hosts 40 events across the globe annually, reaching countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Mexico, Chile and Argentina.

In addition to music and yoga, the festival lineup consists of activities such as kayaking, slacklining, lectures, meditation classes and more.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the 2016 festival, visit http://www.wanderlust.com/festivals/aspen-snowmass.

erobbie@aspentimes.com