Yoga festival Ticino
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Please note that in case of unforeseen circumstances, the program may be subject to some changes.
08:30 - 09:15
large shala
Opening ceremony
With Heidi and Viviana.
9.30 - 10.30
large shala
Himalayan Kriya Yoga
An integrated journey of breathwork, movement, mantra, and meditation that awakens energy and elevates consciousness. This practice strengthens the body, calms the mind, and opens the flow of life.
With Naveeta (in english).
9.30 - 10.30
small shala
Prāṇāyāma for the activation of the fire and water elements
This yogic breathing practice will specifically explore the elements of fire and water. Immersed in nature, with plenty of clean air, you will be able to store and redistribute energy, prana, throughout your being in the most harmonious way.
With Roberto (in italian).
10.45 - 11.45
large shala
Hatha Yoga: Energy flows where I place my attention
This practice is an invitation to bring awareness into the body, especially into those areas where energy tends to stagnate. Through breath and mindful movement, we will cultivate presence, openness and acceptance, rediscovering the path toward mukti: liberation, understood as a return to our most authentic and free nature.
With Viviana (in italian).
10.45 - 11.45
small shala
Shamanic Sound Bath
An immersive sound journey accompanied by ancestral instruments and intuitive voice. Through sound and intention, participants will be invited to let go of mental control, enter a state of deep listening, and experience a personal reconnection and grounding.
With Sofia (♫)
12.15 - 13.15
large shala
Thai Yoga Massage Workshop
Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing art that uses gentle stretches similar to yoga. In this workshop, you and your partner will be guided through simple techniques that release muscle tension and promote deep relaxation.
With Johannes (in english).
12.15 - 13.15
small shala
Lu Jong: Tibetan Yoga
Lu Jong literally means "transformation" (Jong) of the "body" (Lu). It is a sequence of movements and poses that works on the purification of the five elements—space, earth, wind, fire, and water—present in our body. Particular attention is paid to the vitalization and rebalancing of the spine and vital channels.
With Annekatrin (in italiano).
Lunch
Enjoy a delicious vegetarian or vegan dish prepared by the Govinda restaurant, a healthy snack from the chai stand, or a refreshing smoothie available at River Merisg. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic.
2.15pm - 3.15pm
large shala
Kirtan
Mantra chanting uses simple melodies and repeated Sanskrit words, whose sound vibrations carry their own energy, helping to quiet the mind. In Kirtan, these mantras are sung together in a call-and-response, creating a collective experience that makes us feel our interconnectedness and cultivates gratitude, joy, and devotion.
With Johannes & Friends (♫)
2.15pm - 3.15pm
small shala
What it really means to be a woman and how Ayurveda can help you
Even in Ayurveda, following theory too rigidly can lead some women to distance themselves even further from their body's signals, instead of finding balance and well-being. During this session, you'll discover why understanding the female body requires a different perspective and how Ayurveda can become a practical tool to guide every stage of a woman's life and restore her feminine strength.
With Nadia (in italiano).
3.30pm - 4.30pm
large shala
Yoga Flow
In this practice, movement will be supported not only by the breath, but also by carefully crafted and fully integrated music, which will guide the flow of the asanas. It is a fusion of traditional yoga, enriched by yogic philosophy and a modern twist of music.
With Shashin (in english).
3.30pm - 4.30pm
small shala
Gentle practice for grounding and (re)connecting
A practice of simple and accessible movements, designed to slow down the pace, find grounding and strengthen connection with oneself.
With Chiara (in italian).
5.00pm - 6.00pm
large shala
Yoga Nidra
Also known as "yogi's sleep," yoga nidra is a deep relaxation practice that leads to a state of stillness between waking and sleeping, where the body regenerates and the mind opens to new perceptions. This experience fosters presence, clarity, and a sense of connection with one's intuition.
With Heidi (in english).
5.00pm - 6.00pm
small shala
Hatha Yoga
Conscious movements to rediscover your flexibility and mobility. Clear your mind through the sound and chanting of mantras. A practice deeply rooted in ancient Indian tradition, accessible to all.
With Elio (in italian).
Dinner
Enjoy a delicious vegetarian or vegan dish prepared by the Govinda restaurant, a healthy snack from the chai stand, or a refreshing smoothie available at River Merisg. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
large shala
Handpan Concerto: A Sound Journey Between Heaven and Earth
The magical encounter between handpan and voice, intertwined with the rhythms of the percussion and the harmony of the bass and piano, will create a mystical space of unique musical dialogue. In this encounter, each listener will be able to rediscover their deepest emotions.
With Loris Lombardo and Nataly Kozlova.
TISAUNA
7.00am - 7.00pm
sauna and relaxation area
From 7am to 7pm, TISAUNA offers a wonderful space to try out their stunning wood-fired barrel sauna.
The experience includes:
- a brief introduction and a guided ritual
- sauna
- cold plunge directly into the river
- relaxation in the dedicated space
You can reserve your spot on their website before or during the festival at the special festival price of CHF 20 for a 50-minute experience.
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Please note that in case of unforeseen events, the program may undergo some changes.
08.30 - 09.15
large shala
Opening Ceremony
With Heidi and Michela.
9.30 - 10.30
large shala
What does it mean to apply yoga in life?
Physical practice is a first step to applying yogic philosophical concepts, such as impermanence and non-attachment. Our mat can be seen as a laboratory for the continuous flow of life. This is what Michela will explore in this session, how mat practice can give us an emancipatory boost in life.
With Michela (in italian).
9.30 - 10.30
small shala
Understanding prana and how to influence its flow
It will be a session dedicated to prāṇa, the vital energy, and to techniques used to harmonize and intensify its flow. It will be a blend of practice and theory on the flow of prana; on kriya, the purification techniques; on pranayama, the breathing techniques (more precisely, techniques to influence the flow of prana); and on bandha, the energetic locks.
With Heidi (in english).
10.45 - 11.45
large shala
Root to Rise - A Grounding Hatha Flow
Begin by grounding through the body and breath, then gradually rise into flowing movements and balancing postures. The mind as the body responds to what we practice every day. A nourishing practice to cultivate stability, presence and inner strength.
With Monika (in english).
10.45 - 11.45
small shala
Kundalini yoga
A regenerating experience that "resets energies," providing balance, strength, and mental clarity. Through breathing, asanas, dynamic movements, mantras, and meditation, the practice gradually awakens the kundalini energy, bringing vitality, well-being, presence, and relaxation.
With Susana (in italiano).
12.15 - 13.15
large shala
Ecstatic Dance
Ecstatic Dance is a free form of dance, without steps to follow, in which you move intuitively by wearing wireless headphones and listening to selected music. It's an activity accessible to everyone, designed to encourage spontaneous movement, presence, and awareness of your body in a non-judgmental environment.
With Michela and Alex from Innerwalk Project (♫).
12.15 - 13.15
small shala
The Bhagavad Gita: A Guide to Meeting the Challenges of Our Times
The Bhagavad Gita, one of yoga's most profound texts, offers an inner compass for facing life with clarity, balance, and courage. In this workshop, Edy will explore some of its teachings through reflection, meditation, and simple contemplative practices, to discover how to transform the difficulties and uncertainties of the current era into opportunities for growth and rediscover an authentic connection with what truly matters.
With Edy (in italian).
Lunch
Enjoy a delicious vegetarian or vegan dish prepared by the Govinda restaurant, a healthy snack from the chai stand, or a refreshing smoothie available at River Merisg. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic.
2.15pm - 3.15pm
large shala
Sound bath with Alchemy Crystal Bowls
An immersive experience where the pure vibrations of Alchemy Crystal Bowls help the body enter a deep state of relaxation and restoration. Coherence returns to the nervous system, inviting balance, clarity and a profound sense of peace.
With Joya (♫)
2.15pm - 3.15pm
small shala
Slow flow to cultivate calm
A practice that guides the body from an active (yang) energy to a state of relaxation (yin). Through slow, mindful movement exercises, guided breathing, and nervous system regulation, you'll feel the inner calm you already have.
With Antonella (in italian).
3.30pm - 4.30pm
large shala
Vinyasa Flow: listen to the body and follow the breath
A Vinyasa Flow practice to explore the connection between movement, breath, and inner listening, allowing the body to find its own rhythm with presence and awareness.
With Lia (in italian).
3.30pm - 4.30pm
small shala
Yoga Flow
In this practice movement will not only be supported by breath but also by curated music, which will be fully integrated and guiding the flow of asanas. It is a blend of traditional yoga, infused with yogic philosophy and the modern touch of music.
With Shashin (in english).
5.00pm - 6.00pm
large shala
The sound of the mantra that leads into the essence of Yin
The Yin concept is part of Taoist philosophy, within the Yin–Yang dynamic. Chanting mantras can become a Yin practice that brings slowness and grounding. We will use slow, somatic movements followed by sound and vibration to approach the essence of Yin. You will leave feeling regenerated, calm and focused.
With Michela (in italian).
5.00pm - 6.00pm
small shala
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
The eight limbs of yoga (ashtanga) are a sage guide for living a meaningful life. Explore the ancient wisdom of yoga philosophy applied to practice, starting with Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Rather than focusing on physical poses, this framework guides you from outward ethical behavior to inner enlightenment and reconnection with yourself.
With Samia (in italian).
Dinner
Enjoy a delicious vegetarian or vegan dish prepared by the Govinda restaurant, a healthy snack from the chai stand, or a refreshing smoothie available at River Merisg. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic.
6.45pm
large shala
Closing ceremony
With Il leone e il colibrì, Heidi and Michela.
7.15pm
large shala
Quantum Music Concert
We will close the festival with a beautiful musical journey.
The Leone e il Colibrì bring with Love the “Quantum Music”, fruit of the experiences of travels and collaborations with musicians from every corner of the planet. In their original compositions they blend what are their roots: the sacred/pagan devotional warmth of Southern Italy and the Celtic Druidic mysticism. They bring Mantras of oriental traditions and songs from native Amerindian peoples arranged with musical influences ranging from reggae to psychedelic rock.
Their music is a vector for a journey into the soul.
A journey that heals.
TISAUNA
7.00am - 7.00pm
sauna and relaxation area
From 7am to 7pm, TISAUNA offers a wonderful space to try out their stunning wood-fired barrel sauna.
The experience includes:
- a brief introduction and a guided ritual
- sauna
- cold plunge directly into the river
- relaxation in the dedicated space
You can reserve your spot on their website before or during the festival at the special festival price of CHF 20 for a 50-minute experience.