Saturday 22 October 2016

Two Shows in One: Mind Body Soul and Yoga


Yesterday, I went to the Mind Body Soul Experience...and I went to the OM Yoga Show. Sounds like a lot to go to two shows in one day, doesn’t it? Except that they run side by side in adjoining halls in London's Alexandra Palace and a ticket for one gives you free entry to the other.

They are sort of two sides of the same coin, which is why I decided to put a photo of a colourful man doing yoga next to a picture of a statue of Inanna, the Mesopotamian goddess of love, which was on the central altar of a lovely ritual to honour the Goddess of 10,000 names at the event.

The Mind Body Soul Experience runs for three days, until Sunday 23 October, and invites you to experience “the esoteric, the mysterious and the exciting”, according to the information I was sent about it. It isn’t the first time I’ve gone – in fact I try to go every year because it really is a lovely mixture of MBS and pagan stalls, talks and workshops.

As the organisers say: “On offer is an eclectic collection of complementary health, spiritual awareness, and personal development that you simply will not find anywhere else. The Mind Body Soul Experience brings together new ideas and ancient wisdom, allowing visitors space to relax and unwind.”

New for this year, there is a Creative Studio, where you can try out things including glass painting, candle making and mandala creation. Music, dance and other entertainment takes place on the stage; you can have all sorts of readings done; and there are three quiet rooms where talks, workshops, meditations and various other spiritual activities take place. Some are free, others have a small extra charge on top of the admission ticket.

A huge variety of stalls offer tempting things to buy including crystals, clothes, books and divination decks. I spent a lot of time chatting to the people who run Wicca Moon, the witchcraft shop in Eltham, who had a stall at the event and ran the Goddess ritual.

There is a Therapy Zone with massage, reiki, acupuncture and other techniques available. I had a very useful conversation with life coach Ruth Randall. I left feeling much better about my life, which is always so busy that I hardly seem to get enough time to relax. After chatting to Ruth, I realised that actually that is my choice – I really do thrive on a busy life. When slowing down becomes more of a priority for me, I will do so.

Mind you, as an example of how busy I am, I had to leave the event mid afternoon because I still had to do some prepping for the scrying workshop I'm running at Atlantis Bookshop today – and some blogging to do – and I needed to talk to the person who is decorating my front rooms next week. Busy, yes, but I now know I wouldn’t have my life any other way.

The Mind Body Soul Experience is on 21st, 22nd and 23rd October 2016 at Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY
Opening times: Friday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
Online admission costs: Adults £10, Concessions £8
On the door: Adults: £12, Concessions £10
A Mind Body Soul Experience ticket will also gain you free access into the OM Yoga Show, which is
situated in an adjoining hall.
Details and bookings here: www.mbsevents.co.uk or http://www.omyogashow.com/


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