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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 2017)
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 // 7 Yoga fest draws aficionados from around the nation Christen Allsop leads seventh annual festival By R.J. MARX CANNON BEACH — In a city that values aesthetics, fitness and the spiritual, the Cannon Beach Yoga Festival appeals to devotees of all three. The seventh annual festival arrives Feb. 24 to 27 as a result of a grant from the Tourism and Arts Commission to the Friends of Haystack Rock. More than 200 visitors are expected for classes, workshops and concerts at Tolovana Hall, Cannon Beach Chamber Hall, Hallmark Resort and Tolovana Inn. Christen Allsop of Cannon Beach Yoga Arts founded and manages the festival, which she described as offering round-robin shuttles, scenic strolls, shopping and “lovely places to fall into for a lovely meal.” And don’t forget the yoga. “We’ve invited some world-renowned teachers on the yoga teaching and confer- ence circuit,” Allsop said. Featured instructors in- clude Judy Gudmestad, Aadil Palkhivala, Alan and Sarah Finger and Sarahjoy Marsh. “They’re people I’ve worked with and really PHOTO BY SARAH MCALLISTER PHOTO BY SARAH MCALLISTER Julie Gudmestad, a certified Iyengar yoga teacher and physical therapist. hold in high regard,” Allsop said. “They’re hand-picked because I want to have the best people coming from a number of different fields.” Classes focus on poses, alignment, energy work and the psychology of yoga. Meditation, philosophy, dance and art as well are integrated into the weekend events. Allsop’s brother, Cannon Beach artist and teacher Da- vid Kinhan, offers Saturday and Sunday classes in figure drawing. “We’re offering a well-rounded scope that will allow something for everyone,” Allsop said. “I’m a firm believer if you put yourself in front of the best teacher, you’re going to get something wonderful from that teacher. That’s why I think it’s important for even beginners to study with masters.” Yoga has a long tradition in Cannon Beach, Allsop said. “There have been lots of great teachers who have come through Can- non Beach,” Allsop said, including festival presenter Sarahjoy Marsh, teaching “Yoga for the Right Brain” and “Restorative Yoga” among other classes. A third of the attendees are teachers themselves, Allsop added. Allsop’s parents bought a home in Cannon Beach in 1978. Her husband, Mark Allsop, is the owner of North Coast Mechanical. Daughter Lauren Allsop — known as Lolly — teaches Julie Yanko models at a yoga figure drawing class. The class will be taught again this year by Cannon Beach’s David Kinhan. yoga at the studio. “When my husband and I moved here 25 years ago, our daughter went to Fire Moun- tain School, then Broadway and Seaside High School.” A yoga teacher for 15 years, Allsop opened Can- non Beach Yoga in 2011. “Yoga’s grown so much over the last 10 years; now there’s actually a chance to sustain a yoga studio year- round,” she said. The studio on North Hemlock will offer a central hub for all of the festival Get your unconditional love here... gary mick lulu daisy 1198 Commercial Street Astoria, Oregon 97103 503.975.5305 bella maia CARRUTHERS Happy Hour Tuesday-Friday 4pm-6pm and 8:30-Close 503-861-7387 503-861-0737 www.dogsncats.org Open 12-4 pm, Tues-Sat 1315 SE 19th St., Warrenton 240 11 TH STREET ASTORIA, OR 97103 activities and a shuttle bus available to bring attendees to and from events. “It’s really an honor and a privilege to be able to have an opportunity to produce this event in Cannon Beach,” Allsop said. “I’m proud our community can put something like this together. It’s really pretty special.” For registration and information, visit www. CannonBeachYogaFestival. com or call 503-440-1649.
