THE RETREAT BY FUNKSHION | HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL

We’ve been fans of FUNKSHION for a number of years as they are involved in Fashion Week shows in Miami. In May of 2017, they launched The Retreat by FUNKSHION, a health and wellness experience that has generated a lot of buzz and has curated fun brands and attendees. With such a successful series of events in Miami, it’s no wonder that in 2019, they will expand to additional cities. On March 10th, they will deploy to Austin’s South Congress Hotel during SXSW where prominent experts, thought leaders, industry shifters and more will come together to enjoy classes, workshops and panels.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take classes ranging from yoga by Outdoor Voices to a Movement class hosted by Bethany C. Meyers. In true SXSW fashion, there will also be a slate of musical acts at several of the activations.

A riveting panel discussion on the Business of Wellness will be co-hosted and moderated with Bloom founder, Lindsey Martin with panelists Lo Bosworth and Bethany C. Meyers.

Ten VIP tickets will be made available for purchase on Eventbrite to give consumers the opportunity to mix and mingle with the industry-focused attendees. “We wanted to create an inspiring and interactive event that will cover every angle of this widely-grown lifestyle, and connect the industry on both a national and regional level,” commented FUNKSHION’s Creative Director, Natalija Dedic Stojanovic. “It was a logical move to take The RETREAT beyond just Miami in our third year of the event, and celebrate health and wellness lifestyle around the United States.”

Attendees will enjoy a range of partners that will be at this event including: Fiji, Essie, Love Wellness, Bloom, The Culinistas, Chameleon Cold Brew, Splendid Spoon, Pura Still and several others. Continue to check out their schedule as they continue to have updates for this event such as Ron Boss who will also lead a class.

The Retreat will continue to host its annual May event in Miami and will arrive in New York this September.

The Retreat by FUNKSHION in Austin during SXSW (full schedule):

• Love Wellness Breakfast hosted by Lo Bosworth

• Beauty Hour hosted by Milk & Honey and Essie

• Outdoor Voices Yoga in Collaboration with Wanderlust

• The Retreat X Bloom Panel Discussion on the Business in Wellness

• Setting & Crushing Your Goals Workshop with Katie Dunlop @LoveSweatFitness

• Blank Label Active Creative Closet

• be.come Class with Bethany C. Meyers

• VIP Dinner Hosted by The Culinistas and Bloom

• Social Hour by Pura Still with DJ Maad

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

FIND YOUR WANDERLUST

On any given day, there is a festival taking place and although the concept may convey images of DJs, rock bands etc - there are other gatherings that also exist in this category. We learned about Wanderlust a few months ago and finally caught up with the trio to find out about their wellness-focused festivals that are four-day weekend retreats filled with yoga, meditation, live
music, speakers and outdoor activities as well as those that are single day mindful triathlons. These take place throughout the country and overseas to allow a series of people to come together as a means to become a like-minded tribe.

We found out more about these events, what's new this year and a quick snapshot of their growth.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did Wanderlust launch and who are the creators of this wellness festival?

WANDERLUST: Wanderlust was founded in 2009 by three friends: Sean Hoess, Jeff Krasno and Schuyler Grant.

AM: We know that Wanderlust has operated in a number of cities, are there cities that are new to you that will have festivals in 2017/2018 - will you be in NYC anytime soon!

W: Our NYC event happened just two weeks ago at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. And we broke a Guinness World record at that event.

AM: What takes place at Wanderlust?

W: Wanderlust holds two different kinds of events—our multi-day festivals which are four-day weekend retreats combining yoga, meditation, live music, inspiring speakers and outdoor adventures for an entirely unique mindful getaway. And, our single-day “mindful triathlons” called the Wanderlust 108 which take place in public parks all over the world. The Wanderlust
108 includes a five-kilometer run (or walk), an outdoor 90-minute yoga class, and a guided meditation. New for 2017, participants can add a scheduled class such as aerial yoga, acro-yoga, hooping, walking meditation, photography or essential oils workshops, or a community yoga experience from favorite local teachers. At all Wanderlust 108 events, the Kula Marketplace will showcase local craft vendors, including clothing, jewelry, and handcrafted
items. Local and organic food vendors will be on site, as well as a retail store and juice bar collaboration between Wanderlust and Adidas housed in a 60 foot, geodesic dome.

AM: At the end of September, you will be in Tampa which was affected by Irma. How are you supporting the community and will there be any changes to the event because of the hurricane?

W: It was important to us to be of service to the local community. It’s our intention at all our events to come together as a community to lift each other up, and we wanted to help who might be in need in the local Tampa area. $1.08 of each Wanderlust 108 Tampa ticket sold in 2017 will be donated to the Tampa Bay Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. The Tampa Bay Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund (TBDisasterFund.org) is a strategic collaboration of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, Pinellas Community Foundation, United Way of Citrus County, United Way of Hernando, United Way of Pasco, and United Way Suncoast. This fund provides a trusted and reliable way to make tax-deductible donations to local storm recovery efforts. 100% of the funds collected through this effort will be directed to address immediate and mid- to long-term recovery needs through grants to select nonprofits.

AM: How many times a year do you host these festivals?

W: Wanderlust 108 first launched in New York’s Prospect Park and Atlanta’s Piedmont Park in 2014, bringing the mindful triathlon experience to over 10,000 participants. After this overwhelmingly positive response, Wanderlust 108 expanded to 17 cities in 2015, 32 cities in 2016 and now, to over 60 cities in 17 countries in 2017.

Read more from the Sept issue and see Find Your Wanderlust in mag.