Bend Yoga Festival 2026: Full Schedule

Where you belong. The Bend Yoga Festival is an inclusive, multi-day celebration of yoga, wellness, and outdoor experience rooted in the landscape of Bend, Oregon. Expect sessions led by internationally respected educators, alongside community ritual, specialty offerings, and adventures that invite you directly into Central Oregon’s rivers, trails, and wide-open sky.

This year’s theme: Making Space for Joy.

And yes — you’ll feel it.

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This year, you can filter the schedule by "Pathway" — there are six, based on what you might be looking for. It’s a way to navigate the schedule and easily find what you seek. The pathways are:

Movement & Practice
Explore Bend
Restore & Regulate
Tradition & Lineage
Empowered Aging
Arts & Performance

6:30am PDT

Awaken Your Soul | A Sunrise Practice

FULL

Friday June 12, 2026 6:30am - 7:45am PDT

Meet at The Commons, then Walk Together to the Riverside @ 875 NW Brooks St, Bend, OR 97703

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Experience the transformative power of sunrise yoga as we flow through a vinyasa warmup, syncing breath with movement. Dive deep into powerful breathwork techniques to invigorate your being and cultivate inner peace. Then, immerse yourself in the sacred repetition of the Gayatri mantra, chanting it 108 times to connect with divine energy. Feel uplifted and inspired as the sun rises, awakening your soul and setting the tone for a day filled with purpose and joy.

Join us as we greet the dawn and embrace the magic of each moment together!

Note: This session is acoustic, and therefore limited in capacity. Just the sunrise, the flowing river, and Kia to guide practice. Nothing to get in the way. 🕉️

MEET AT THE COMMONS BY 6:30AM; WE WILL WALK TOGETHER DOWN TO THE RIVER. THE COMMONS ADDRESS: 875 Brooks Street, downtown Bend. Sorry, we cannot wait for latecomers.

Presenters

Kia Miller

Founder, Radiant Body Yoga

Kia Miller is an internationally celebrated yoga instructor and founder of Radiant Body Yoga (RBY), a holistic practice rooted in Kundalini and Tantric traditions. Designed to awaken each practitioner to their higher nature, RBY effectively integrates breathwork, movement, and meditation... Read More →

Jaya Lakshmi

Musician, Producer, Teacher, Jaya Lakshmi Music

Jaya Lakshmi began leading kirtan and writing devotional songs on the guitar, harmonium and piano in the early 1990?s shortly after receiving harinam initiation from Srila Govinda Maharaj, a spiritual teacher of bhakti (devotion) from West Bengal, India. As a singer/songwriter she... Read More →

Volunteers

Servesh Deswal

Stacy Peterman

Friday June 12, 2026 6:30am - 7:45am PDT
Meet at The Commons, then Walk Together to the Riverside 875 NW Brooks St, Bend, OR 97703

Community Session | Open to Non-passholders by Donation

Pathway Movement and Practice, Tradition and Lineage

8:30am PDT

Akhanda Yoga | A Path of Wholeness

FULL

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Pine & Prism Wellness Collective @ 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

With Shriman Wellbeing, yoga is an invitation to remember your innate wholeness. Rooted in the Akhanda Yoga tradition of the Adi Nath Shiva Lineage, these classes offer a deeply integrative and transformative experience that honors the full spectrum of your being.

Each session is guided with care and intention, weaving together asana, pranayama (breathwork), mantra, meditation, and yogic philosophy. Through conscious movement and mindful awareness, you are supported in aligning the physical, energetic, emotional, mental, intuitive, and spiritual layers of self.

Whether you arrive seeking strength, clarity, grounding, or inner stillness, this practice creates a sacred space for self-discovery, balance, and deep well-being, guiding you home to your true essence, whole and indivisible.

Presenters

Shriman Ji

Yoga with Shriman

Shriman, a passionate yogi and dedicated teacher, has spent years honing his craft under the guidance of his teacher and Himalayan Yoga Master (Phd) Dr. Yogrishi Vishvketu from Akhanda Yoga Wellbeing in India, embracing the transformative power of authentic yoga.

Hailing from Brazil, Shriman brings with him a rich heritage of musical talent passed down through generations of his family. Immersed in the vibrant culture of India for several years, he has delved deep into the realms of yoga, honing his practice and teachings to integrate the... Read More →

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Pine & Prism Wellness Collective 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Yoga | Holistic Wellbeing

Pathway Movement and Practice, Tradition and Lineage
Production Notes: Acoustic

1:30pm PDT

Yoga, Brain Health and Glymphatics

FILLING

Friday June 12, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom @ 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Limited Capacity filling up

Ever wonder how yoga can support cognitive function? Perhaps you’ve sensed it already and wondered how it works, or maybe you’re looking to get more out of your practice to support your brain? This class looks at how your glymphatic system, the lymphatic or waste clearance system in your brain, supports brain health and how yoga can support that.

We’ll start with a short lecture then we'll look at practices supported by both scientific research & clinical experience to enhance the glymphatic clearance system in the brain.

This will be an all-levels practice for those with a basic understanding of yoga.

No props needed but block & blanket would be great if available.
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Before the session begins, as you check in and settle into your space, enjoy a mini-sound bath experience from Lisa Tynan of Settle into Stillness.

Presenters

Tiffany Cruikshank

Founder, CEO, Yoga Medicine®

Tiffany Cruikshank, L.Ac, MAOM, is the founder of Yoga Medicine®, a community of yoga teachers focused on fusing science & research with traditional yoga practices to help people thrive and live their best lives. Tiffany is also an acupuncturist with over 22 years of practice and... Read More →

Exhibitors

Lisa Tynan

Founder, Step into Stillness

Lisa is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Certified Sound Healer, Montessori Teacher and Kids Yoga Instructor.
Her business, Step Into Stillness, brings affordable and accessible Yoga and Sound Bath classes, Guided Sound Meditation, and Chakra Balancing to the Central Oregon commun... Read More →

Friday June 12, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Yoga | Holistic Wellbeing

Pathway Restore and Regulate, Tradition and Lineage, Empowered Aging, Movement and Practice
Production Notes: Hotel screen + projection; BYF PA + wireless headset mic

8:30pm PDT

Jaya Lakshmi — Ecstatic Dance Set

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT

The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom @ 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Whether you lounge and listen or get up and groove, you'll love the inspired sounds of sacred chants set to beautiful music and Lkshmi's incredible vocals! Don't miss this one!

With Botanical Elixir Bar & Lounge — with Aela of Rose Rooted Elixirs and Apothecary
A curated menu of herbal elixirs crafted to nourish, uplift, and support your festival experience. Cost for elixirs: sliding scale between $8-$15.

Don't miss this one-of-a-kind musical experience to close your day at the festival!

Presenters

Jaya Lakshmi

Musician, Producer, Teacher, Jaya Lakshmi Music

Shriman Ji

Yoga with Shriman

Volunteers

Amy Hunter

Chief Exploration Officer, Guide By Your Side Life-Recovery Coaching

Yoga instructor with over 1200 hours of training and still learning! Hatha/Vinyasa, Kundalini, Power, Restorative, GiGong, meditation, Kirtan, etc. I am also a life-coach specializing in Life Recovery for people in long-term recovery from life!

Mark Machac

Neta Marlin

Exhibitors

Aela Kascak

Rose Rooted Elixir Bar & Apothecary

Aela believes in the power of bridging mind, heart and earth through intentional living, earth-based practices, community and connection. She is a vitalist herbalist, herbal mixologist and elixir connoisseur sharing elixir bar experiences, workshops and other intentional offerings... Read More →

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT
The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Community Session | Open to Non-passholders by Donation

Pathway Arts and Performance, Tradition and Lineage

1:00pm PDT

Tattva Balance to Awaken Joy

LIMITED

Saturday June 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT

Drake Park — Stage @ 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

Our inner space is a living reality, made up of fire, air, earth, and water (the tattvas). Each element defines our life challenges and at the same time gives us the power to meet them. When imbalanced we struggle. When in balance our joy is unstoppable. Join Kia to understand the significance of creating elemental balance through yoga, and a curated experience of vinyasa, kriya, breathwork, and mantra designed to bring you into a coherent and elevated state. This is where pure joy exists!

Presenters

Kia Miller

Founder, Radiant Body Yoga

Jaya Lakshmi

Musician, Producer, Teacher, Jaya Lakshmi Music

Saturday June 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Drake Park — Stage 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Yoga | Holistic Wellbeing

Pathway Movement and Practice, Tradition and Lineage

3:30pm PDT

Calm the Mind Within | Regulating Anxiety & Inflammation

FILLING

Saturday June 13, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom @ 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Limited Capacity filling up

Anxiety is characterized by activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)axis and increased sympathetic nervous system tone, leading to sustained cortisol secretion and prolonged stress signaling. When this activation becomes chronic, it disrupts immune regulation, promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine release, impairs epithelial barrier integrity, and contributes to disturbances in sleep, digestion, skin health, and mood.

Within the Ayurvedic framework, this pattern parallels Vata aggravation, which is marked by mental overactivity, instability, and depletion, combined with Pitta aggravation, characterized by heat, inflammation, and irritability. Together, these imbalances reflect a state of internal overactivation and dysregulated metabolic fire.

Yogic interventions, including pranayama (breath regulation), asana (mindful movement), and meditation, have been shown to modulate autonomic function, enhance vagal tone, and reduce inflammatory biomarkers. These practices directly influence stress physiology by shifting the body from sympathetic dominance toward parasympathetic regulation.

Expect:

**Grounding movement to reduce sympathetic overdrive
**Cooling pranayama to modulate stress chemistry and internal heat
**Guided meditation to support vagal tone and parasympathetic activation
**Integrated education (modern neurobiology and Ayurvedic dosha framework)
**Practical daily nervous system reset protocol

Bring your yoga mat and anything you need to be comfortable while seated (a block or meditation cushion may be helpful). No chairs provided.

Presenters

Usha Nagavarapu, Ph.D., AD

Founder, Surrasa

Dr. Usha Nagavarapu is a Doctor of Ayurveda with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Neuroscience, and postdoctoral training in Dermatology from Stanford University. She has over 25 years of experience in translational research, cancer and clinical research and product innovation.

Found... Read More →

Saturday June 13, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Yoga | Holistic Wellbeing, Ayurveda

Pathway Restore and Regulate, Tradition and Lineage
Production Notes: projector & screen, mic

7:30pm PDT

Sound Healing Yogic Journey with Cacao

FILLING

Saturday June 13, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm PDT

The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom @ 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Limited Capacity filling up

BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE CUP FOR CACAO

Step into a sanctuary of sound and surrender to healing vibrations that gently restore balance within. Through the ancient art of sound healing, you are guided into a state of deep relaxation—where the mind softens, the body unwinds, and the spirit realigns with its natural rhythm.

Sacred instruments from around the world weave a living tapestry of sound, including handpan drum, Tibetan and crystal singing bowls, gong, flutes, drums, chimes, and the organic human voice expressed through mantras. Each session is an immersive journey designed to clear energetic blockages, calm the nervous system, and awaken a profound sense of inner peace, presence, and harmony.

Presenters

Shriman Ji

Yoga with Shriman

Saturday June 13, 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm PDT
The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Evening Programs

Pathway Restore and Regulate, Tradition and Lineage, Arts and Performance

7:15am PDT

The Fine Art of Retreat Leadership | A Coffee Chat

LIMITED

Sunday June 14, 2026 7:15am - 8:00am PDT

The Hospitality Suite | Oxford Hotel Bend @ 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Limited Capacity seats available

SUITE NUMBER WILL BE ADDED TO THIS DESCRIPTION IN JUNE. Check back then!
__________________________
Leading retreats can be one of the most meaningful and impactful ways to share your work — and it also comes with real responsibility, complexity, and learning curves that often go unspoken.

In this informal chat, Jill and Michael Knouse will share insights from over 16 years of leading yoga and wellness retreats around the world, along with customized corporate retreats and private coaching retreats built around focused, intentional themes.

Together, they’ll reflect on both the successes and the inevitable pitfalls — what’s worked beautifully, what they’ve learned the hard way, and how experience has shaped their approach to leadership, group dynamics, decision-making, and sustainability.

This conversation is for teachers, facilitators, and leaders who are curious about retreats as a container for deeper work — whether you’re just beginning to explore the idea or already leading retreats and wanting to refine your approach.
Expect honest reflections, practical wisdom, and space for shared inquiry — not formulas or hype, but lived experience and thoughtful dialogue.

Presenters

Jill Knouse

Founder, Jill Knouse Yoga

Michael Knouse

Business Coach, Facilitator, Retreat Leader, Michael Knouse Coaching

Michael Knouse is a business and leadership coach, writer, retreat facilitator and global traveler.Michael draws on 25+ years of experience as a software sales executive, business development leader, business + leadership coach, and retreat facilitator to help others design a more... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2026 7:15am - 8:00am PDT
The Hospitality Suite | Oxford Hotel Bend

Community Session | Open to Non-passholders by Donation

Pathway Tradition and Lineage

8:30am PDT

Thai Massage

FILLING

Sunday June 14, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Pine & Prism Wellness Collective @ 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Limited Capacity filling up

Thai massage is an ancient, holistic bodywork practice that combines passive yoga, energy work, muscle compression and gentle movement of joints through range of motion. This technique helps to improve flexibility, reduce pain and relax the body. In this nurturing and gentle workshop, you will give and receive a delightfully therapeutic sequence.

Thai massage is practiced wearing comfortable clothes on, using no oils or lotions. Anyone can do it!

Come with a partner or find one there!

Presenters

Lotsie Cash

Founder, Tula Movement Arts

Sunday June 14, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Pine & Prism Wellness Collective 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Yoga | Holistic Wellbeing

Pathway Restore and Regulate, Tradition and Lineage, Movement and Practice

10:30am PDT

Herbal Materia Medica & Embodied Movement | A Plant Inspired Movement Practice

FILLING

Sunday June 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am PDT

Pine & Prism Wellness Collective @ 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Limited Capacity filling up

In this workshop we will explore one of our plant kin in depth through their materia medica (a body of knowledge that outlines plants medicinal uses, estoteric properties, lore and more). Then we will use that knowledge to inspire an embodied movement practice guided by the wisdom of this plant kin to support us in moving through our own internal landscape of emotions. The plant kin we will be working with will be intuitively chosen a few days before this workshop based on collective themes and the season. Some examples of herbs we may work with include wood betony, rose, damiana, yarrow or mugwort. This is a somatic movement experience that supports us in fostering deeper relationship with the Earth, our plant kin, ourselves and those around us. A tea made of the plant kin of choice will be provided to support in building connection and communication with that plant.

Example: Autumn is the season of turning inward and grounding. Our plant kin can support us during this seasonal shift. Discover the essence of Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis) to support your internal seasonal shift and embody the wisdom of this plant kin through an inspired movement practice.

Presenters

Aela Kascak

Rose Rooted Elixir Bar & Apothecary

Sunday June 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am PDT
Pine & Prism Wellness Collective 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Community Session | Open to Non-passholders by Donation

Pathway Tradition and Lineage, Movement and Practice

10:30am PDT

Closing & Integration | A Radiant Heart and Mind

FILLING

Sunday June 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am PDT

The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom @ 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Limited Capacity filling up

Embark on a journey with Kia to harness the transformative power of tapas (correct effort), svadhyaya (self-reflection), and ishvara pranidhana (awareness of a higher reality) in overcoming the 5 mental afflictions. Through a dynamic practice of vinyasa, kriya, breath and mantra, unlock the keys to dissolve these barriers, cultivate inner harmony, and ignite the radiant light of your heart and mind.

Presenters

Kia Miller

Founder, Radiant Body Yoga

Jaya Lakshmi

Musician, Producer, Teacher, Jaya Lakshmi Music

Sunday June 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am PDT
The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Yoga | Holistic Wellbeing

Pathway Restore and Regulate, Tradition and Lineage, Movement and Practice

1:00pm PDT

The Nervous System at Midlife: Stress, Recovery, and Resilience

FILLING

Sunday June 14, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm PDT

The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom @ 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Limited Capacity filling up

Hormonal changes in perimenopause and postmenopause significantly affect the nervous system, altering stress tolerance, recovery, sleep, pain perception, and emotional regulation. This session explores how shifting hormones influence the stress response—and why practices that once felt restorative may no longer be sufficient—while offering practical insights into nervous system regulation, recovery capacity, and sustainable resilience.

Note: this is a 60 minute lecture-based session with 15-minute audience Q&A afterward. Chairs are provided; no mats necessary.

Presenters

Dr. Marsha Hamilton, ND

Founder, Flow Natural Healthcare

A naturopathic physician, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) and a lifelong athlete, Dr. Hamilton's focus is keeping perimenopausal and menopausal women strong, healthy and empowered.

Sunday June 14, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm PDT
The Oxford Hotel — Minnesota Ballroom 10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Community Session | Open to Non-passholders by Donation

Pathway Restore and Regulate, Tradition and Lineage, Empowered Aging

1:30pm PDT

Closing & Integration | Altar-Making with Clay — A Ceremonial Gathering ($)

LIMITED

Sunday June 14, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm PDT

Pine & Prism Wellness Collective @ 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

ADD-ON TICKET REQUIRED. °°° BUY Add-on tickets HERE. °°°

This altar-making workshop will begin with a gentle opening ceremony led by Rach of Pine & Prism Wellness to ground, connect, and weave together the shared experiences of the Bend Yoga Festival. Through breath, reflection, and intention, we create a collective container for integration. Participants will then work with clay to create a personal altar or sacred object, giving form to insights and intentions from the festival and life.

All pieces will be fired, glazed, and mailed back to participants by Krista of La Luce Studio within four weeks.

Open to all, come as you are. No prior clay experience is needed, this is an intuitive, mindful making process.

ADD-ON TICKET REQUIRED: cost includes all materials, glazing, firing (a 4-week process), and shipping to your home address after the festival. Add-on tickets go on sale April 1st.

NOTE: Due to the significant time, energy and cost of running this session, if MINIMUM SIGN-UPS REQUIRED of 6 is not met, this session will be cancelled.

Presenters

Krista Brenner

Founder, La Luce Studio

Ciao, I am Krista, a mom, wife, potter, and photographer, living a life rooted in creativity, connection, and light. Whether I’m shaping clay, capturing moments through my lens, traveling (especially to Italy), dancing salsa, or finding peace outdoors, Nature, movement, friends... Read More →

Rach Huff

Founder, Pine and Prism Wellness Collective

Rach Huff is the founder of Pine & Prism, a Bend-based ritual and community studio offering Reiki, microdosing coaching, weekly ritual classes, aura photography + readings, and intentional community gatherings. She sees herself as a facilitator and space holder — not a healer... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Pine & Prism Wellness Collective 856 NW Bond St Suite 202, Bend, OR 97701, USA

ADD-ON TICKET REQUIRED, Altar-Making with Clay