Daniela Olds And Sally Griffyn: On Creating The Yoga Connects Festival

It may have been fate that brought Daniela Olds, Sally Griffyn and Marc Laws II together… but it’s been the shared vision and sheer determination of each, that will bring the Yoga Connects festival to fruition this July. For the first time in the UK, yoga teachers from around the world will unite with first time and long time yogis for a powerful weekend of connection, empowerment and a whole lot of fun.
We caught up with the Founders, as part of our new Welltodo Business series, to find out what it takes to bring thousands of yogis together in one place, how it feels to see a dream become reality, what a spiritual approach to business looks like – and why challenging the modern approach to yoga is what makes it all so special.
WHERE DID THE IDEA OF YOGA CONNECTS COME FROM?
Sally: I was in Nicaragua doing Meghan Currie’s teacher training in January 2014. On the last day we were called back into the jungle one last time. Meghan led a meditation and then asked us to write the next 9 years of our life: 3, 6, 9 weeks, 3, 6, 9 months, 3, 6, 9 years. We were pretty high from a month on an island and exhausted from the teacher training, but she said it was crucial and that all of it would come true. The word that kept coming up for me was CONNECTION. I felt that the London yoga scene was very disconnected. Centres only promote themselves, teachers can’t freely promote what they are doing if it isn’t with that centre, students are lost trying to find information and so my wish was to create a way to connect the scene.
I had also written down FESTIVAL. On the plane to Panama I had a conversation with Marc Laws II, one of my best friends, who had been doing the training with me and we were brainstorming. Suddenly I said YOGA CONNECTS! He said “BOOM” and we high fived on it. When I got off the plane I bought the domain name.
Dani: For me it started whilst I was staying in Austin TX, in January 2014. I enrolled at Wanderlust Studio and was really pleasantly surprised when they offered yoga classes/concerts – live music (not Kirtan) hip and funky guitar music as part of their evening schedule.  I thought to myself ‘this would be great to have in London’. The idea stayed in my head and I created this little scribble and thought of a daily festival, where there would be music, yoga, fashion, all things healthy for the UK crowd; bringing together teachers, yogis, and everyone to party, have fun and enjoy.
Sally Griffyn and Daniella Olds founders of Yoga Connects Festival in the UK
Image: Daniela Olds and Sally Griffyn
SO NOW IT’S REAL… WHAT WILL MAKE YOGA CONNECTS DIFFERENT TO ANYTHING ELSE THE UK HAS SEEN BEFORE?
Dani: We are aiming to collaborate rather than divide and compete. For too long in the yoga community, there has been a certain divide, where teachers and studios feel as if there was not enough Yoga for everyone. There has been a feeling of exclusivity. I myself was working for a studio, where I was not allowed to mention where else I teach, or advertise any events. We wanted to create a space for everyone, that is free and goes back to the roots of yoga. It is for everyone, regardless of whether you wear fancy yoga pants or pyjama;, there is one yoga, and that is yoga as a state of mind. Everyone can share what they want and we pride ourselves on connection, collaboration and uniting the yoga community.
HOW HAVE THE THREE OF YOU COME TOGETHER AS BUSINESS PARTNERS?
Dani: I was teaching at Lululemon where I introduced the idea to Marc, who thought it sounded really cool. He told me I should meet someone he knows, who shares my vision. I met Sally, who had the name and the vision and so the Yoga Connects festival was born. I also helped out creating and running Gloanna (yoga, run, Prosecco) events for a couple of years, so the idea was at the back of my brain.
Sally: I didn’t know what Yoga Connects was at the time Marc and I high fived on it, and so just kept it as an idea. 6 months later Marc, who was by this time working at Lululemon Athletica, met Daniela Olds and he told me “ I met this woman and she has the same vision as you. Let’s arrange a meeting.” The next thing I knew we met and were so aligned in our vision. She loved the name and we are now a dream team. Daniela was sent to me I have no doubt about that.
Dani: So far it has been Sally and I that are the business partners, and we naturally fit together. We are both very different but the root of our purpose is the same. We aim to create something we can share with the world. Marc is shadowing us with his wisdom and input. We also have a great team who help us out with the logistics, technical and creative stuff, without whom we would not be able to create it.
WHY IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE A SHARED VISION AND WHAT IS IT?
Dani: The vision came from the past experiences for both of us. I was met with some negativity in my yoga teaching world, when things became very competitive; almost aggressive and very judgemental. I realised this was not what I imagined that yoga was about. There is enough of yoga for everyone. The idea of union: mind, body and spirit. People – yogis, non-yogis, teachers and yoga studios need to be reminded that yoga is not about money, fancy yoga gear or how many followers on Instagram you have. It is a state of mind, where happiness, peace, love, prosperity and goodness comes from the inside of the heart. It is about sharing the positive vibes, without judgement and negativity. Creating good karma, doing something good, without expecting anything in return. This is our vision: to share, to give, to unite, to celebrate the love of yoga and have fun whilst doing it.
AS SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONERS, HOW HAVE YOUR OWN VALUES SHAPED THE BUSINESS?
Sally: My life is all about the spiritual and I have been on a shamanic path, and am a Wiccan Priestess, for 20 years running a group which celebrates the moon cycles and Nature. I am a long term Ashtanga Yoga practitioner which is also based on the lunar cycles. We don’t practice on the full or new moon. So the idea of cycles and the seasons are at the core of my being. Wicca is a tribal and shamanic path. We look to Nature as the divine. Take note the festival starts on the Full Moon, and we will be having opening ceremonies. We will come together and celebrate the start of this vision, honour the land and the people who come and create a family.
I am deeply connected to legacy and giving back. For the planet we will make this a plastic free festival so no plastic is given out like bags or food containers; for the animals I practice Ahimsa, non-harm, so it is delicious vegetarian and gourmet vegan food. For the people we are giving to charity and bringing some disadvantaged kids and adults to the festival for free. This festival is all about creating a new vision where teachers, students and those new to yoga get a taste of what real connection is about. They will be able to participate and give out their own info freely and we promote them on our social media. In business we are all about connection. I have been an entrepreneur for many years and this festival is part of new business where everybody profits. That expansive attitude is highly successful. Not just a corporate attitude of those at the top. We want our teachers and vendors to thrive.
Dani: It can be tricky, as business is tough subject, money after all rules the world. We were reminded many times that although it is a nice idea, to collaborate and unite, not everyone shares the same values as us. My personal value is to appreciate what is coming our way, whether it is challenge, success or a hurdle. We both believe everything happens for a reason, and this was meant to be.
ARE THERE ANY POWERFUL LESSONS YOU’VE ALREADY LEARNT?
Dani: There are powerful lessons that remind us that yes this is possible to happen, but we can not do it by ourselves. In order to create successful event, we need to have a successful line up. To have a successful line up, that people are interested to see, you need to have enough tickets sold. It is a catch 22.  We are hoping it will be what we imagined it to be.
Sally: I have learned to keep going and to keep the vision pulling me forward. I have learned to rise above a lot of separation in the yoga world.
Marc Laws II - founder of Yoga Connects festival
Image: Marc Laws II
HOW REWARDING IS IT TO BE SEEING A DREAM BECOME REALITY?
Sally: This dream is so exciting when I shut my eyes and see all those yogis in one place, the fun and happiness all around and in the most incredible setting I have to pinch myself to remind myself it’s real. I am like a kid jumping up and down about this festival. It is a passion to create an event like this. I have been an events organiser for many years and this is the cherry on the pie.
Dani: After months of hard work, and some sleepless nights it will be a relief and a huge success to finally see the festival happening in front of our eyes.
WHAT DID YOU NOT SEE COMING?
Sally: I saw the finances involved and however have worked on trust that they will work out. Festivals are big money. What was not clear was how separate  yoga centres are and how many did not want to be involved.
Dani: There are too many things to mention. It has been a roller coaster. You would need extra 2 pages to list all of them.
WHY WILL BEING AT YOGA CONNECTS BE THE BEST CHOICE WELLTODO READERS COULD MAKE THIS YEAR?
Sally: This festival has been created out of a meditation vision and is now in reality. It is, I believe, a calling and meant to be. Created from love of yoga and created by yogis for yogis, there will be a very different feel to this festival. It is intentional. This is a playground where people can have fun, try many forms of yoga, be with the best teachers in the world, celebrate, feel connection and experience ceremony. The setting is exquisite. A stunning stately home where you can do yoga in the ballroom. A lake where you can try yoga on a paddle board. In the time people spend there it will shift consciousness. People will see what it’s like to not have plastic. That is pretty unique I believe. We believe people will feel good about that and it will influence them to get a different take on things. Mostly it is an event run from pure passion and we know how to share it and to send it out. Anyone who comes will feel this like they are invited to a tribal gathering where art, beauty, fashion, food, ceremony and the best yoga comes together.Dani: For yogis it will be an amazing opportunity and a chance to experience many styles of yoga, meet some wonderful yoga teachers and all of us to create a hub. Getting to know each other, share connections, conversations, smiles and shared the good vibes. How many times have you been to a yoga class, where nobody speaks to each otter or smiles? We aim to create something special, sharing the love of yoga, on and off the mat.
Yoga Connects is set to be the UK’s yoga event of the year. It is taking place on 3-5 July at the beautiful Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 6DH (approx 48 mins north of London). The spectacular lineup of British and International Yogis includes Dylan Werner, Meghan Currie, Patrick Beach, Yoya Beyond, Julie Montagu, House of Voga, Mischa Varmuza, Celest Pereira and many more. 
We’re giving away one day pass to Yoga Connects – which you can enter to win here.
For tickets, full line-up, accommodation info and more – visit www.yogaconnects.co.uk
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