From Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, the Vineyard Arts Project in Edgartown will be the site of Samavesha 2015, an international Anusara® yoga festival. Samavesha is a Sanskrit word that means to assimilate or immerse oneself in one’s kula, or community.

The festival welcomes all levels of yogis from around the world and from the Island to gather for six days of yoga classes, meditation, teacher trainings, philosophy workshops, kirtan music with Shantala and community suppers. 

As yoga goes, Anusara is a modern form that combines aspects of many ancient practices. The Anusara School of Hatha Yoga (ASHY) began in the U.S., but is rapidly growing in worldwide popularity.

“Anusara is a safe physical practice that is interwoven with an uplifting spiritual quality,” says local yoga instructor and festival organizer Jane Norton, a founding member of ASHY, and the driving force in bringing the Samavesha Festival to Martha’s Vineyard.

Besides offering all levels of yoga classes, Samavesha will provide intensive instruction on Eastern philosophy and professional development classes for yoga teachers, massage therapists and other body workers. CEU’s for Yoga Alliance are available.

Dr. Bill Mahony, professor of South Asian studies at Davidson College in North Carolina will offer four philosophy workshops. Mr. Mahony is a popular, experienced teacher whose down-to-earth style brings this ancient knowledge into the 21st century with relevance and clarity.

On Thursday, Oct. 1 from 4 to 6 p.m., Jane Norton and Manoj Chalam, PhD., lead a workshop called Encountering Ganesh, a fusion of storytelling, movement, mantra and meditation to bring to life one of yoga’s “superheroes” — the mythical character of Ganesh.

A potluck dinner will be held at 6:30 Monday, Sept. 28. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Uma Datta will be chef and host of the festival’s Indian dinner which benefits the African Artists’ Community Development Project. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. There is a $20 suggested donation. 

A sneak peak of what’s to come at the festival happens on Saturday, Sept. 26. Festival presenter, Jeanie Manchester, of Boulder, Co., will teach the 10:30 a.m. yoga class at the Yoga Barn off State Road in West Tisbury.

Register in person at Vineyard Arts Project, 215 Main street, Edgartown (across from Lucky Hank’s restaurant) or online at anusarayoga.com/samavesha.

For more information call Jane Norton at 508-776-9428 or email jane@anusarayoga.com.