Sebastopol Bloom: A Rain-Kissed Celebration Of Bhakti And Community
Under the soft gray skies of Sebastopol, devotion bloomed. Despite the on-and-off rain, the town pulsed with aliveness as the Bhakti Fest family brought their signature spirit of love, music, and yoga to the North Bay for the first-ever Sebastopol Bloom Festival.
Across downtown, small stages, cozy tents, and colorful vendor booths transformed the city into a living mandala of yoga, sound, and community. It was as if the entire town became an altar to Bhakti—the yoga of devotion.
One of the most magical moments came during Jai Dev Singh’s Kundalini yoga class, held under a rain-dappled tent. As drops tapped gently on the canopy above, practitioners breathed deeply, eyes closed, hearts open, moving energy through their bodies with mantra and breath. The rain only seemed to heighten the sacredness—reminding us that devotion is not dependent on the weather, but on the willingness to be fully present. Each inhale and exhale became an offering, each raindrop a blessing.
Another heart-expanding experience was the cacao ceremony with Awakened Cacao, led by Soul. Inside a warmly lit tent, people gathered in a circle, sipping the rich, earthy cacao and sharing intentions. The ceremony was both grounding and uplifting—a powerful reminder of how devotion can be as simple as sitting together, opening the heart, and listening.
Throughout the weekend, the Bhakti music floated through the streets—devotional chanting, drumbeats, harmoniums, and voices rising together in unity. There’s something deeply moving about singing the divine names with others; it awakens joy, tenderness, and the pure essence of connection.
Between classes and music, festival-goers explored Sebastopol’s hidden gems. Soft Medicine Sanctuary served as the festival’s cozy heart—a tea house and gathering space filled with couches, elixirs, and nourishing vegetarian fare. Between the steaming cups of chai, Ayurvedic-inspired meals, and friendly faces, it was the perfect place to land and reconnect.
Attendees also received entry into The Bathhouse, located above Soft Medicine, where guests could sweat and detox in the sauna and steam room, enjoy a bath and rejuvenate between yoga sessions.
At the BioWellness Lounge, participants relaxed near the EESystem, allowing scalar waves to recharge the body while listening to talks on healing and consciousness. It offered a beautiful balance to the movement and music—a reminder that devotion can also be expressed through rest, listening, and self-care.
The vendors added their own magic—handcrafted jewelry, crystals, malas, eco-conscious clothing, artisanal teas, and natural body care products. The healing area buzzed with gentle energy as bodyworkers offered massages and intuitive sessions, helping participants unwind and integrate their experiences.
Despite the rain—or perhaps because of it—Sebastopol felt vibrantly alive. The weather added a touch of wildness and authenticity, drawing people closer under shared tents and hearts. In true Bhakti fashion, the weekend became a living practice of devotion: to spirit, to community, to the beauty of being fully human together.
As the festival came to a close, the streets glistened, the clouds parted, and a feeling of renewal hung in the air. Sebastopol Bloom lived up to its name—reminding us that even under gray skies, the heart can always bloom.
