Photo courtesy of Bodhaka.
If you’re looking to mix up your usual weekend schedule, look no further than Bodhaka. The fusion style event will be held at The Bowl in TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa on March 26th. The event will feature both live music and inspiring speakers. The whole event is geared toward inspiring people to live healthy and happy lives. The event has the “fundamental mission of elevating collective awareness, encouraging mindful living and ultimately inspiring individuals to be the very best version of themselves in every aspect of their lives.”
Musical guests Duff Kelly and Kevin Paris will be performing. Kelly is a Canadian performer, songwriter, and surfer. After a plane crash, he lost partial use of his fret hand. Instead of giving up on his music, he learned how to play the guitar left handed. He recently released his first single, Big Ol’ World. Paris is a musician, singer-songwriter, and yogi. He plays over 250 concerts a year to support his 4 albums. He describes his music as “acoustic, singer-songwriter roots bursting with deep grooves and feel-good electronic production.” There’s no doubt that the music will create an amazing vibe for the afternoon.
In addition to musical performances, Bodhaka will also feature two motivational speakers. The first is psychologist, life coach, author, and counselor, Ralph Smart (aka Limitless Waters). Smart focuses on how to find the best possible version of one’s self and how to become a limitless being. The second is holistic health educator, Lou Corona. Corona has found healing, health, and peace through his own lifestyle shifts, and he helps guide and inspire others to make shifts in their lifestyles and consciousness.
We caught up with event organizer, Michaela Curnow to learn a little more about what’s in store for the weekend.
What inspired you to create Bodhaka?
Several years ago my partner and I attended an event hosted by Don Miguel Ruiz (author of NY times best seller The Four Agreements) in Vancouver, BC. He had connected with a local musician and together they hosted an event. These two powerful forces raised our vibrations and left us feeling motivated and inspired. We thought what an amazing way to bring people together through spoken word and the universal language of sound. As we continued our journey learning, growing, and exploring we began to refine the idea of how we could create such events to serve others and inspire a conscious shift in awareness- in all aspects of their lives.
Ultimately our hope is for all beings to live a beautiful and fulfilled life, so from that we created a non-profit organization, left our 9-5 jobs and loaded up our Honda civic to drive from Vancouver Island to California and host Bodhaka.
How many people are you anticipating?
We are releasing 150 tickets for the event.
Are there any other events like Bodhaka out there, or is it the only one of its kind in the Southern California area?
We are living in an exciting time where there is a monumental shift happening, an awakening in our awareness – from what we eat, to the power of the thoughts we have, to how our actions affect the environment. We are getting back to our roots and looking at life from a more holistic approach. Many of us are feeling out of tune and are seeking ways to make changes in our lives.
Bodhaka, among many other events and gatherings in Southern California, is providing individuals with opportunities to connect in terms of health and wellness, sustainability, cultivating personal growth, and mindfulness. We feel so fortunate to be apart of this amazing community. We truly are all one and I feel the more opportunities there are to share, connect, and get inspired the better! We all can learn from each experience and one another to truly become the greatest version of ourselves.
Bodhaka is unique in that we only showcase two creative outlets -musicians and speakers in a picnic style event. Ted Talks meets Woodstock! A grassroots vibe, we are simply out in nature, listening to speakers and musicians, connecting, inspiring one another, and even enjoying some delicious vegan snacks!
What is notable about the performers and speakers?
Our speakers focus on becoming the greatest version of yourself – igniting your potential and aligning with your soul’s purpose. The musicians set the tone in their deep rooted lyrics and easy listening sound to help us to open our minds to infinite possibilities. All of our performers have overcome many obstacles in their lives – from conquering life threatening diseases to battling depression to surviving a plane crash they have all persevered- and continue to follow their passion no matter what obstacles were set before them.
Although each on their own journey they all share the mission of inspiring and helping others to transform their lives.
Ralph Smart is our headliner, a you tube sensation who is appearing live in his first event of this kind. He is on the bill along with Lou Corona (speaker), Duff Kelly (musician), and Kevin Paris (musician).
Any final words about your hopes for the event?
Bodhaka’s vision is for attendees to walk away from this event feeling positive, optimistic, connected, energized and empowered. To provide tangable things they can do immediately, to ignite that spark within and to create a ripple effect.
We are a non-profit organization with all proceeds going directly into this event and any remaining to charitable organizations. We do it for the love.
Lastly, I’d like to thank my “right hand man.” Although he prefers to remain anonymous behind the scenes, this event wouldn’t have been possible without this wonderful guru.
