A Journey into the Unknown

Last night, I had the unexpected but deeply humbling honour of opening the World Yoga Festival in Henley-on-Thames. If I’m honest, I arrived knowing very little about yoga – certainly nothing beyond the general sense that it involves quite a bit of stretching and a great many calm people with far better posture than me.

What I discovered was something far richer, deeper, and more profound than I’d imagined.

Set in the peaceful grounds of the Henley Showground, the Festival is an annual gathering of yoga teachers, spiritual guides, musicians, healers and thinkers from across the world. It’s been running since 2016, founded by Ram and Sonali Banerjee and hosted by The Arsha Kula Foundation. What they’ve created is something truly special – neither retreat nor concert, but something that manages to feel like both: a celebration of community, learning, joy and transformation.

Before the formal opening ceremony began, I had the privilege of receiving a blessing from Geshe Lama Ahbay Tulku Rinpoche – a Tibetan monk recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of a revered hermit teacher. He is now the head of Yega Choling Monastery in exile in South India, guiding the lives of many younger monks. His quiet dignity and gentle smile were deeply moving. Whatever your beliefs, there is something profoundly grounding about being in the presence of someone whose life is shaped by such peace and spiritual discipline.

And then – as if that weren’t enough – came a rather more earthly but no less joyful surprise. Mark, in a rare act of successful secrecy, had kept from me the news that my sister-in-law Trish was also at the Festival, running her juice bar in the main field. It was its final outing before she and the family return to Australia in the autumn. There she was, grinning and radiant, serving cold-pressed goodness to a queue of blissed-out festivalgoers. Cue a lovely reunion and a slightly emotional toast over carrot, ginger and something-I-couldn’t-pronounce.

Only then did I make my way to the opening ceremony itself – a mesmerising blend of fire, music, chanting and intention. I was honoured to light the ceremonial flame and say a few words to mark the start of the weekend. I did my best not to knock anything over. (There is something about open flames and long flowing garments that focuses the mind.)

What I began to understand, even in that short time, is that yoga is far more than just physical exercise. The ancient Yoga Sūtras describe eight interconnected ‘limbs’ of practice – including moral guidance, breathwork, meditation, concentration and stillness. The Festival exists to honour all of these, not just the postures. And at its heart lies the concept of the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space – the subtle forces from which, according to Eastern wisdom, everything in the universe arises.

I’ll admit I still have much to learn. But I left with a deep sense of peace and a new respect for those who walk this path – whether for a weekend or a lifetime.

My thanks to Ram and Sonali, whose vision and energy infuse every part of the Festival. If you get the chance to visit, do. You don’t need to be a yogi to feel the power of what’s happening there.