By Christopher Ludgate
I knew in an instant when I was finally able to do full upward bow again, that I was where I needed to be. It was The Mountain Yoga Festival in St. Anton, Austria, and yogi nature lovers had been ascending up into the idyllic mountain village during the first days of September for the open-air wellness immersive.
A dynamic variety of outdoor yoga classes, panoramic hikes, philosophy workshops, restorative meditations, and sound healing were just some of the experiences in the offing.
In a holistic scope for me, though, the festival would be a celebration of life and resilience, a renewed connection with body, self, and nature, and not least of all, connection with a community of kind-hearted teachers and yogis from all around the world.
And a joyful fest it was.
The Ascent
I zipped past Lake Lucerne on the Railjet after my flight into Zurich. I sensed the altitude as the train began to climb the 4,300 feet among steep ski lifts and cable cars, in and out of cavernous tunnels. In the distance was Sankt Anton am Arlberg, or simply St. Anton.
The classic Alpine gem is a well-known winter haven for regional ski culture since the late 1800s. But in late summer for the past 10 years, skis and ice caps are replaced with a sea of yoga mats and sun-kissed shoulders gliding upon cable cars towards upward dogs and sun salutations.
Floating above the chalet rooftops, feet dangling from the lift high above the landscape, the pristine beauty unfolded while en route to a class led by Karl Straub one morning. The idea of taking a ski lift to yoga class was novel. We don’t have that in New York City.
While perched on a terrace, the vinyasa was flowing. Musician Wolfgang Whehner joined us in pace wit ambient tunes. Glistening arms of yogis stretched up towards the sky and then out to the mountains like a collective embrace. Gratifying beads of sweat dropped to my mat, and my body felt more whole and alive than it had in a while.
Namaste was all around me.
As one of the dozen or so original teachers there since the festival’s inception, Straub has a fun, intuitive, and relatable approach “inspired by our interconnectedness and shared human experience as touchstones.”
After years of practice interrupted by life and unrelated sports injuries, my practice was improving. And it wasn’t so much the guiding touch, but the energy from his hands that helped lift me to peak pose. I’d rediscovered the joy of yoga, and I was beaming inside.
The Offerings
The festival’s programming was fluid, customizable, and abundant with offerings, allowing guests to choose whatever option on the fly. The hike offerings in the Alps with Geli are a festival highlight for all. Rolling out the mat and striking poses among the views are often part of the majestic experiences, some of which offer cultural explorations in pre-fest programming.
The communal opening and closing ceremony radiated with energy. In a collective practice, we were guided in joyful meditation, asana, overtone chants, and overflowing celebration. The days offered Manel’s deep dive into the meaning of the Warrior pose, Rashmi’s intimate discussion of Ayurvedic body types, Andrea’s Vedic explorations, and, oh, and that uber-restorative live sound bath of frequencies by Anna Welinder… Just glimpses of a synthesized path for wellness discovery at the festival.
One morning, in the glow of the Tyrolean Alps, I found myself in a class with Sigrid Pichler, who also happens to teach in New York City. Sigrid’s voice had a wonderful quality as she spoke of insights into the various branches of yoga, venturing into the theory of chakras, leading to techniques to open up stagnant energy. It was an answer to something I’d specifically hoped to find at the festival, and here I’d found that heaviness lifted.
Credit Christopher Ludgate
Credit Patrick Saly
Sigrid was just appointed the new Executive Director of The Mountain Yoga Festival, St. Anton. Sigrid is also a member of St. Anton’s Friends of St. Anthony Community Board, which is dedicated to ensuring respectful tourism within the community and natural landscape.
The Vibe
The quintessential mountain village of St. Anton is part of the Tyrolean Alps’ ski cradle. It also hosts a healthy hiking culture synonymous with Austrian culture. Cosmopolitan Europeans flock here for getaways in quaint chalet hotels and countless restaurants.
Not shy on lux offerings, the village’s modern Scandinavian-style Ullrhaus is a primo five-star hotel with all the comforts of spacious lodging in a prime pedestrian-friendly location with stellar views. I could almost catch a cable car from my balcony. Craft shops and epicurean delights are plenty, with some dining accessible by way of the Galzig and Rendl cable cars. The St. Anton card provides unlimited rides.
Back at the Ullrhaus, cozy gourmet dining is alluring, as is the ambient spa and fitness area. A morning swim before mountaintop yoga? Yes, indeed, I did.
Christopher Ludgate is a writer, photographer, and award-winning filmmaker. With tailor-made itineraries beyond the ordinary, his travel stories combine culture, wellness, the outdoors, luxury, and history. He’s a longtime advocate for holistic health and animal rights as well as an avid gardener, cook, and cat dad.