Texas Yoga Conference at ISKCON Houston

By Dayal Nitai Das

HOUSTON: ‘OM in the Big Heart of Texas’ was the signature motto for the sixth annual Texas Yoga Conference (TYC) held February 20-22 at ISKCON Houston (Hare Krishna Temple and Cultural Center). Leading yoga teachers and speakers, along with hundreds of practitioners came together for a city retreat full of presentations, yoga classes for all levels, lectures and fun music concerts over three days.

Led by Houston yoga community organizer Jenny Buergermeister of Jennyoga, with logistic support by Tracie Brace Hatton of Yoga Rasa, this year’s TYC weekend featured asana workshops and teachings, vendors and studios, wholesome vegetarian food and sharing of loving exchanges. Whatever a person’s level of experience, there was ample opportunity to deepen one’s yogic practice and understanding.

Kicking off the TYC under the sacred branches of the peepal ‘Tree of Life’ on the temple grounds, the world’s most popular yoga brand Lululemon brought their local ambassadors with a brunch and live DJ. Friday also featured Yoga Gives Back, a non-profit which empowers women in India, a concert by The Juggernauts and a talk by His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami, author of “Vanity Karma – Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita,and the meaning of life.” Saturday showcased a unique yoga flow based on the ancient Hebrew Kabalah, maha-mantra kirtan in the new temple, a mala-making session and a vegetarian cooking class by ISKCON’s Shoba Kisori Devi .

Performing each day in the new temple room were world-renowned kirtan artists Gaura Vani and Visvambhar Sheth (the latter a member of the Mayapuris). Together under the new banner name, the Juggernauts, they were electrifying in their ecstatic call-and-response presentations. Fusing ancient sacred mantras and tunes with contemporary influences, they irresistibly inspired participants to dance or sing along. On Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at noon, the Bhakti House Band performed a percussion-driven instrumentation with rich harmonies that enlightened the soul. Since the 2011 release of their award-winning album, ‘Nada Bhakti: The Sound of Devotion’, they have gained thousands of loyal fans in more than 50 countries.

After an amazing weekend now past, we look forward to the Texas Yoga Conference Feb 19-21, 2016 again at ISKCON Houston (early registration is now available at 713-839-9642).