RWD#04 Driftless Yoga Festival - Laree Schouweiler

Diversity, rural Iowa, and yoga are words that are sometimes not thought of in the same sentence. But we're here to share a story that doesn't just dabble into diversity, but an event that has been honored as the 2022 winner of the Iowa Tourism Award for Outstanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - The Driftless Yoga Festival!

We remember the moment well from almost a decade ago - hearing about someone that was opening a spinning and yoga studio here in Decorah, and being so excited to have this option landing here in our small town. Laree Schouweiler (she/her), was the founder of ReeFuel in 2013, steadily growing a crew of teachers and a studio following. But it was the studio setting that taught Laree just what the inequalities of the modern yoga world are - and she wanted to find another path. This led to the first Driftless Yoga Festival in the summer of 2019 in Decorah. 

Three babies, a studio, and a pandemic later, it was a trip to Asheville to participate in Michelle Cassandra Johnson's (she/her) Skill in Action Training that has led to the latest version of the Driftless Yoga Festival. (Read the whole story here!)

This year's Fest will be June 23-26, 2022 at Will Baker Park in Decorah. Everyone is welcome to explore immersions, yoga classes, and workshops centered on yoga, equity, and nature - all in a beautiful setting. Passes are available on a sliding scale system with a limited amount of scholarships available. Find all of the info online at: www.driftlessyogafestival.com

Rhymes With Decorah is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media, hosted by Benji Nichols. Find out more at www.iloveinspired.com