Danielle intuitively customizes sequences of yoga asanas based on the needs of the students to create a more inhabitable place for both body and mind.

Class will begin with chanting Sanskrit mantra, letting the vibration and sound of this ancient language change your energetic body in a subtle but profound way. A vinyasa flow will follow that will be accessible and enjoyable for the avid yogi and the beginner alike. Danielle sprinkles spiritual insight and wisdom into each class based on her years of study in Yogic philosophy, Buddhism and Taoist Chinese theory. As a healer, Danielle is known for her hands-on assists to ensure safe aligned in each posture. 

Additionally we will use pranayama exercises to focus on the breath that is the foundation of the yoga practice and life itself.  After a restorative resting period, class ends with a meditation that allows you to fully integrate this work in well being.

Location: Yoga&Meditation Courtyard

Aluzarte is an endeavor to teach art and meditation in female prisons in Mexico, helping these women to heal trauma and prepare for the integration into their new society when they are released. Some of the incredible emotionally charged artworks produced by the students of Aluzarte will be shown at the Budart Exhibition.

Attend a talk by organizers of Aluzarte and learn the story behind this project and how it helps those who have lost hope to regain it.

Location: Auditorium

Konokol is an Indian system of mastering rhythm without musical instruments – all you need is your voice and your hands. Under the guidance of Denis Kucherov, you will learn ancient secrets of konokol used by renowned musicians around the globe. This workshop will educate your ear to music, boost your sense of rhythm, and which is more, teach you how playing music can become a form of meditation.

Location: Ken Locke Hall

Naked Mind Film is about the power of meditation to cure anxiety, depression and addiction are increasing. Woven into the narrative are interviews with world renowned meditation masters and researchers who are working together on the cutting edge of neuroscience to learn how meditation physically alters the brain to increase concentration, empathy, and happiness.

Heavily Meditated provides an intimate look at inmates from a youth correctional facility as they confront painful situations through meditation practices, to reframe how they see themselves and the world around them.

Location: Auditorium

Can we use the power of art to live a more fulfilling and joyful life – to live with all one’s heart? Liana Moon distills her years-long experience of studying Eastern philosophy, traveling the sacred sites of the planet, and creating profound artworks into a beautiful three-hour workshop titled “Art Metta.” Come and learn how to reconnect with deeper sources of creativity and emotion in each of us.

Location: Auditorium

Vimala will teach a series of chakra yoga and meditation inspired by Lady Niguma, the most ancient recorded yoga series in history. Lady Niguma Yoga works with the inner body's chakras, channels and prana in order to reach high states of bliss and final enlightenment. 

Both beginners and advanced students will benefit greatly from this deep yoga practice.   

Vimala Sperber has been a serious yoga and meditation practitioner since 2003. She studied under Sri Pattabhi Jois's daughter Saraswathi Rangaswamy in Mysore, Sri Dharma Mittra in New York City, and Geshe Michael Roach in Arizona. She finished a 3 year 3 month 3 day Great Retreat in 2014 where she focused on both yoga and meditation. 

Location: Yoga&Meditation Courtyard

This sound healing journey offers sacred soundscapes to the source within where all the healing powers can be found. A yoga of song and silence. An inner journey on the soundscapes of the Medicine Drum, Spirit Chants, Native American Flute, Crystal Singing Bowls, Didgeridoo and devotional heart songs. Clarity of body mind and spirit through the power of mantra meditation and sound medicine. Welcome to the nectar pool of the heart flower blossoming - remember who you are. 

Location: Ken Locke Hall

Artists are painting music, musicians are playing colors and forms... A three-hour musical art meditation done by celebrated artists and musicians is a truly spectacular sight. Nikolai Makarov, Sherab Khandro, Ola Hikari, Izabel Raa, Liana Moon and other Budart artists will create a collaborative piece together with the SAMHEY band. Witness the incredible art performance and see how the dividing lines between people, sounds and images disappear. 

Location: Yoga&Meditation Courtyard

In this guided meditation we are leaving linear time and engage in an inner dialogue with your 'Future Self', the part of yourself which already has access to your future state. This can be helpful if you're working on a creative project or are calling in more desirable circumstances at work or in your personal life. You will be able to ask questions relevant to the outcome of your project and learn about the 'Secret Sauce' of your success. Walk away with less anxiety and greater clarity about what the future may hold for you and which inspired action you can take right now.

Peter Oppermann has practiced meditation for over 20 years and studied with some of the most renowned meditation teachers in the US and Asia, such as Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Lama Surya Das and Geshe Michael Roach. Peter has also been an entrepreneur for 20 years and founder of a non-profit organization in The Bronx, NY training ex-convicts in mindfulness and job skills. Read more

Location: Auditorium

For Buddhists and all those who are interested in meditation, this is a unique opportunity to pay respect to the Piprahwa relic and get immersed into the atmosphere, which, quite possibly, could have been experienced in the presence of the Buddha himself over 2500 years ago.

The blessings are conferred twice a day:

Sunday, September 17 - 10:00 am – 11:00 am, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Monday, September 18 - 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, September 19 - 9:00 am – 10:00 am, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, September 20 - 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday, September 21 - 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Ken Locke Hall

What are Happy Morning Rituals? A well known fact: the way you start your morning affects the way you spend the rest of your day. So why not start it in a positive and happy mood to prevent depression, stress, aggression, and misfortunes? With Happy Morning Rituals, you will accumulate positive energy and learn to start your day with joy, calmness, strength, health and self-belief. 

Location: Yoga&Meditation Courtyard

Crosscurrents is built on the foundational duo of tabla virtuoso Denis Kucherov and brilliant kora maestro Amadou (Senegal), joined for this performance by a multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter and producer Kailash Kokopelli, who offers his instruments as prayer tools and keys to initiate self-healing processes. His mystic songs and medicine chants expand perception and unlock the doors to commune with Source. Extraordinarily gifted sitar player Rajib Karmakar is an instrumentalist with a unique musical sensibility and innovative skills. Both at his Indian Classical Music Concerts and his World Music Concerts, he can almost immediately mesmerize the audience of all ages.

Location: Auditorium

Join us at the Space of Stillness installation in the Exhibition Hall where we will together experience the transformative work of Cansu Bulgu as she offers her Intuitive Sand Drawing Meditation in honor of the Piprahwa Relic and the Opening Day Ceremony of the Budart Festival. Guests are welcome to sit, stand or walk around as Cansu translates the Unseen to the Seen in Sand over a two hour period. Her last drawing meditation of the day will remain with the exhibit throughout the festival for all guests to enjoy.

Location: Ken Locke Hall

Is it possible to paint a meditation? How would it look like? Join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the International Budart Exhibition and be among the first to see incredible meditative paintings, sculptures, and installations from all over the world. Don't miss a chance to meet in person some of the world-renowned Budart artists and get to know the fascinating stories behind their works!

Location: Ken Locke Hall

Every journey has a beginning. We invite you to witness the beginning of our grand journey – a breathtaking six-day Budart festival of art, meditation, and infinite love. Inspiring talks, splendid music, an opportunity to meet like-minded dreamers and doers and much more at the Opening Ceremony!

Location: Auditorium

It is a great privilege for us to present you rare relics of the Buddha from Piprahwa. Brought to the U.S. from a renowned monastery in Sri Lanka, the relics display an archaeological find of immense historical and cultural value. For millions of people worldwide, they are a symbol and material embodiment of the ultimate meditative achievement.

Venerable Mahindawansa Maha Thero will deliver a talk on the history and significance of the Piprahwa Relics. The presentation of the Relics will be attended by 100 monks from major Buddhist temples of Los Angeles, who will chant sacred texts and confer their blessings to the audience.

Don't miss a unique opportunity to see the Piprahwa Relics, learn their history and get immersed in the atmosphere of pure meditation! 

Location: Auditorium