Fitness is replacing music as a protagonist of major events and festivals: because sporting activity is increasingly experienced as an experience of entertainment and socialization.
Increasingly connected, increasingly isolated. With the risk of being mistaken for a service in the "Society" section of a newscast night edition, we too repeat it: (much more than) as a result of the digital revolution, never before has the possibility of communication and connection between individuals even those far away been so abundant. Yet we feel increasingly isolated.
In a survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, people report less and less satisfactory personal interactions, and feelings of loneliness are on the increase.
According to the numbers: only 22% of respondents to a questionnaire from the English Foundation said they never felt alone. As a result (and further demonstration) of the value we attribute to live and group relational experiences, this seems to be growing: according to research by Eventbrite, 69% of Millennials believe that taking part in group events is an effective way to feel a stronger connection with other people and their community, and 79% think that doing so with family and friends makes these relationships deeper.
According to the numbers: only 22% of respondents to a questionnaire from the English Foundation said they never felt alone. As a result (and further demonstration) of the value we attribute to live and group relational experiences, this seems to be growing: according to research by Eventbrite, 69% of Millennials believe that taking part in group events is an effective way to feel a stronger connection with other people and their community, and 79% think that doing so with family and friends makes these relationships deeper.
What about sport? The results are no different: According to the question "How can physical exercise be ideal for you?" A research study by Nielsen found that the group is the most important of all.
Have fun or feel good? There is no dilemma
For now we can leave the numbers behind us and affirm a reality without hesitation: the need to feel part of a community is as strong as ever before. People want to go out, get together and have fun.
Yet, the times of alcohol and perdition seem a long way off. There is, in fact, another trend that might seem like it’s here to ruin the party, a trend in which sport plays a fundamental role: that of living the healthy lifestyle.
Do you already imagine people consumed by the dilemma, "to drink or not drink?" and the most straightforward and brutal translation of the most solemn, "to have fun or not have fun"? Actually, that might not exactly be the case.
Whether you want to believe it or not, it seems that it's the way you understand fun that has to change: we are increasingly trying to be convinced that (grandmother's advice alert!) having fun is not synonymous with drinking, smoking and punishing your body in every possible way.
Yet, the times of alcohol and perdition seem a long way off. There is, in fact, another trend that might seem like it’s here to ruin the party, a trend in which sport plays a fundamental role: that of living the healthy lifestyle.
Do you already imagine people consumed by the dilemma, "to drink or not drink?" and the most straightforward and brutal translation of the most solemn, "to have fun or not have fun"? Actually, that might not exactly be the case.
Whether you want to believe it or not, it seems that it's the way you understand fun that has to change: we are increasingly trying to be convinced that (grandmother's advice alert!) having fun is not synonymous with drinking, smoking and punishing your body in every possible way.
Even in this case, where there is evidence, or rather a trend that we can now exclude that it is transitory: the diffusion of events and festivals built on the theme of a healthy lifestyle.
Yes, it's exactly as you're imagining: impressive numbers of people who come together to do sports, meditate, take yoga lessons, eat healthy, reunited by an enthusiasm for their lifestyle as well as the participants in music festivals who are excited by the passion for their music.
Yes, it's exactly as you're imagining: impressive numbers of people who come together to do sports, meditate, take yoga lessons, eat healthy, reunited by an enthusiasm for their lifestyle as well as the participants in music festivals who are excited by the passion for their music.
Thinking about it for a moment, these events seem to be the perfect compromise, the one in which nothing is refused. A wellness festival that allows you to perceive the sense of community typical of each festival, dedicate time to yourself, detoxify yourself from the routine, without having to abandon the lifestyle you have chosen. Not only that, a festival of this kind allows you to share this same choice with other people, finding support and opportunities for knowledge, along with all the benefits of the relationship.
Everyone has their own festival
We can't hide it, a certain hint of yoga gathering, bonfire or set of colourful bandanas can be seen. That is not the case here, however, either. At least, not always.
Festivals are not really for the common appreciation, but there are also unexpectedly accessible festivals.
Festivals are not really for the common appreciation, but there are also unexpectedly accessible festivals.
Let's start from the first: three times a year, two in California and one in Northlake, Illinois, there is the Bhakti Festival, a festival dedicated to yoga, dance and sacred music. Founded by Sridhar Silberfein, who was then involved in Woodstock's organization, the Bhakti offers participants a profound experience of transformation. There is no trace of alcohol or drugs, instead yoga lessons are offered by world-famous teachers, performances by masters of sacred music, sessions of meditation and prayer, self-awareness workshops and a healing shrine, where you can undergo massages and shamanic treatments.
Also in California, Squaw Valley, Wanderlust was born. Inaugurated in 2009 with an event attended by 2500 people, today 45 gatherings are organised every year around the world, all with the same name and concept, each attended by about 120,000 people. Yoga as a life principle is the focus of the festival, which involves yoga and meditation instructors, chefs and musicians. More generally, therefore, it is a celebration of a conscious lifestyle, and it is not necessary to be particularly spiritual to be in tune with the soul of the event, nor to be an expert in yoga.
Even more open and aimed at a heterogeneous audience is the British Morning Gloryville, an event that defines itself as a "non-alcoholic rave". You can meet people of all kinds: yuppies, Instagram's teenagers, young families. According to the intentions of the founder, Samantha Moyo, the Morning Gloryville had to be a place that reproduced the emotions of the raves, without the extreme elements associated with the word "rave".
Today it is a hospitable and original festival, where music accompanies massages and sessions of improvised yoga. It attracts DJs also known to have chosen to abandon the excessive lifestyle and attracts many people who recognize themselves in the motto that stands out on the posters of the event: “I am in charge of how I feel and today I'm choosing happiness".
Today it is a hospitable and original festival, where music accompanies massages and sessions of improvised yoga. It attracts DJs also known to have chosen to abandon the excessive lifestyle and attracts many people who recognize themselves in the motto that stands out on the posters of the event: “I am in charge of how I feel and today I'm choosing happiness".
Such is the extent of the phenomenon that music festivals are also equipping themselves to complement their offer with elements of wellbeing: this is the case of the Wilderness Festival in Oxford and the Citadel of London, which dedicate an entire section of their programme to wellness: spa areas, places reserved for meditation, massage cycles and aromatherapy, as well as yoga lessons of all kinds and for all levels of experience: from yoga for relaxation to hot yoga, from acroyoga to the yoga on a board.
Wellness changes the music
As we’ve said, people want to take part in a community. What was once based on music is complemented by Wellness.
Some realities suggest that the second has replaced the first one, but the truth is that the two things go more and more often together, so much so that the music itself seems to be influenced by it: compilations designed for training are increasingly successful and even music for relaxation is becoming a mass phenomenon.
What about a future in which we practice yoga on the bus on the way to the office?
Some realities suggest that the second has replaced the first one, but the truth is that the two things go more and more often together, so much so that the music itself seems to be influenced by it: compilations designed for training are increasingly successful and even music for relaxation is becoming a mass phenomenon.
What about a future in which we practice yoga on the bus on the way to the office?