Restival: A Wellness Retreat Re-Imagined

by  Daniel Sheffler | Jan 17, 2017
Previous Restival Lodgings in Arizona
Previous Restival Lodgings in Arizona / Restival

So long, Burning Man. The newest craze to hit the festival circuit is Restival: the so-called “love child” of a wellness retreat and a festival. Just make sure you pack your most stylish hat, Ikat-print scarf, and yoga gear. 

The event debuted in Morocco in 2015 and then moved to the Arizona desert. Next up, there will be another Morocco edition (in February, 2017) before Restival moves to Sweden’s Lapland (June, 2017).  

Think of Restival as a new generation’s way of finding stillness, a place where people can “dance, drum, write, do yoga, rest, create art, learn something, and connect with each other” as a way to escape a hyperconnected, always-on world. It's not intended to be a big party; Restival challenges its guests to disconnect and reconnect in some of the world’s most interesting places, where indigenous cultures thrive. And of course, Rest-goers have the privilege of eating healthy food and sleeping in luxury eco-chic tents throughout.

The link to local indigenous culture is intended to be respectful and reciprocal. In the Sahara, Restival works with local Berber tribes to set up rug-weaving workshops or cooking classes using traditional clay ovens. Other offerings include sunrise yoga, meditation, writing classes, camel rides, art workshops, plus dancing beneath the stars to the sounds of Berber drums. Restival is guided by specialists like Gabrielle Hales, an expert in Jivamukti yoga, who will be teaching vinyasa flow yoga in the desert at sunset and sunrise. All of these options are designed to ground the visitor -- an ensure that they won't even miss their iPhones. (Tickets start at $1,295.)

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