Comments From Previous Festival Attendees & Instructors:
(see more attendee comments toward bottom of page)
  • The entire experience was uplifting and positive. The presenters were excellent. The festival atmosphere was accepting, positive, energizing yet peaceful, and filled with a feeling of loving kindness. I felt accepted in every workshop and I appreciated that alternative methods of experiencing the asanas were given by all the presenters.
  • Namaste!  I just wanted to send a quick note to let y'all know how much I enjoyed the festival and how impressed I was! I own a small studio in Mount Vernon but had been unable to attend until this year. I did my teacher training in Florida and have been to quite a few retreats/festivals over the years. The feeling I experienced upon arrival to the beautiful venue, and then seeing what you'd put together ranks among the top. When I arrived in Iowa a little over 5 years ago there wasn't nearly as much yoga as there is now, which is very cool. Thank you for putting this together, I look forward to next year!​​
  • Sessions were incredible. Overall energy was amazing, and as an instructor I didn't realize how much I was yearning for a practice and a full-day of sharing yoga with others.
  • Very positive. The general tone was extremely up-beat and celebratory. Nice mix of quality instruction, conviviality, and just plain fun.​​
  • So well organized. Seriously, this event rivals many of the big ones like Yoga Journal Conference, etc. So impressed. It was very well organized and loved the welcoming feeling of the whole event. I'm sure it will only get bigger and draw even more people from all over the midwest...and beyond.
  • One of the best conferences I have ever attended!
  • Excited that we have ​a top notch yoga festival in Iowa, as I only live 75 miles away. There were so many good sessions to pick from, only downfall was that I wanted to attend many of them and had to pick, which meant I missed several topics I would have liked to attend.​

​Testimonials from some of our presenters:
“Julia and Scott have co-created an event  that radiates peace, love, community and oneness. I am humbled to be a part of it for the last 2 years and take pride in associating with them. The seeds of Yoga have been planted and are nurtured most lovingly in Dubuque through the festival. “ 
~ INDU ARORA - Yoga & Ayurveda Specialist
​
"Being a presenter for the Midwest Yoga & Oneness festival was a really enjoyable and heartwarming experience from the beginning to the end. Our opening circle and daily gathering brought all the participants, presenters and organizers together for community, fellowship and sangha and set the tone for each special day - and there was beauty in each day. The festival wrapped with an at-times tear inducing gathering as we listened to testimonials from everyone who wanted to share - truly a moving, powerful and collective experience. Scott and Julia made the process absolutely effortless so all I had to do was show up and teach. Julia even delivered a protein shake to my hotel room in the morning - who else does that ?!? Thank you Scott, Julia and the whole team."

~LUKE KETTERHAGEN - Yoga & Meditation Expert,
​Faculty Member at The Himalayan Institute
​

​"The Dubuque Yoga Festival was a wonderful and memorable experience. Excellently organized and fueled with kindness and joy." 
~ MAX STROM, Yoga Instructor, Author
and Founder of Inner Axis


​
"I found the Dubuque Yoga Festival to be one of the pinnacle experiences in my career. Julia and Scott Theisen (festival founders) have the rare ability to create a feeling of true community, even within a top notch professional conference setting. I was personally inspired and supported to move to my own next level in many ways just from spending the weekend in close proximity to them. The students are fantastic – eager and ready to learn--just a truly incredible opportunity for any yoga instructor."
~ SADIE NARDINI - Yoga & Fitness Expert

​
"I found the Dubuque Yoga Festival to be one of the pinnacle experiences in my career. Julia and Scott Theisen (festival founders) have the rare ability to create a feeling of true community, even within a top notch professional conference setting. I was personally inspired and supported to move to my own next level in many ways just from spending the weekend in close proximity to them. The students are fantastic – eager and ready to learn--just a truly incredible opportunity for any yoga instructor."
AMODA MAA JEVIN - Spiritual Author and Teacher
​
"I very much enjoyed my experience working with the Dubuque Yoga Festival 2015 staff. They were clear and up front on what they wanted for programming. They were also very responsive to ideas that might enhance the festival and followed through on suggestions, even if they weren't ultimately implemented they were given a refreshing consideration. 
This spirit of learning and discovery was only more reflected in the actual experience of service and performance during the event. They also had ample, well-oriented staff that could handle minor support issues promptly and without hesitation, leaving me free to focus on presenting and being present for the participants. You are in for a pleasant experience if you are fortunate enough to be invited to DYF 2016 to present." 
~ MATTHEW J TAYLOR - PT, PhD, ERYT-500, Past-president of the Intl Assoc.
of Yoga Therapists, board of directors, and SYTAR.org planner​
"When I first read your message (about sharing feedback​) I couldn’t think of one thing you could really do better.
It was all such a warm, unpretentious vibe for me where I felt everyone was welcomed and everyone was comfortable being themselves.  I loved how you announced all the teachers.  What a great way for you to support them.  ​I am honored to share with you and would love to come back when time flows."
~ BIBI MCGILL - Yoga Instructor & Humanitarian
"I truly thought the festival organizers did a fabulous job. The time between sessions lent itself to connection. The classes were full and beautiful.. I loved the festival opening and closing ceremonies, and especially loved the children’s performance in the opening. I have presented at a lot of festivals and this one was fun and light. Scott and Julia attract a beautiful group of teachers. I am honored to be a part of it and would love to be again."
~SUNNY DAWN JOHNSTON - Inspirational speaker,
spiritual teacher, and psychic medium

​ 
The Festival was professionally run and had a very collaborative, welcoming feel. Very well done! The pre-festival communication was excellent. Excellent graphics, messages provided for us to share, detailed information about the festival procedures and plans. The festival website was excellent and the blogger was great; we appreciated having our interview on blog page. The format of festival was excellent, with ample time between sessions instead of people rushing from one session to another. The workshop rooms were very good. We very much appreciated Body & Soul being able to sell Master Kim’s book and the opportunity to socialize with other presenters. The opening and closing ceremonies were well thought-out and well presented. It was great that everyone was given the opportunity to speak at the closing ceremony."
~ MASTER CHARLES KIM & JENNIFER KIM - Chicago
Peace School Leaders, Peace Activists​ 
"The Dubuque yoga festival is a true gem and a highlight of my year.  I have never been to a yoga festival infused with such intention, connection, positivity, and love.  The warmth and openness was evident in every staff, teacher, and student. The highlight for me was the ending circle and the evident power of community as people shared what they had learned in such an open, honest, and raw way.  I will keep coming back, bring students and friends, and watch with joy as this festival becomes the major yoga festival of the Midwest."
~ BETSY RIPPENTROP, PhD, Founder of Heartland Yoga, Iowa City​
"The steadiness of the Mississippi River helped anchor an event that was at once inspiring and accessible, and I'm still inspired by the opportunity to study with world-class teachers at the Dubuque Yoga Festival. I hope people mark the 2016 dates on their calendars, now, because once word gets out, this event will be hard to get into in future years!" 
~ SCOTT ANDERSON - Yoga Instructor
​and Mind/Body Expert

​
"The steadiness of the Mississippi River helped anchor an event that was at once inspiring and accessible, and I'm still inspired by the opportunity to study with world-class teachers at the Dubuque Yoga Festival. I hope people mark the 2016 dates on their calendars, now, because once word gets out, this event will be hard to get into in future years!" 
~KATE CONNOR-POTTS - Yoga Instructor,
​One-on-One Yoga Specialist
"I really enjoyed the experience of collaborating and working with Julia and Scott of the Midwest Yoga & Oneness Festival. I am encouraged by their commitment to inclusion and their connection to the community. The event was a wonderful experience.”
-DIANNE BONDY - Author of Yoga For Everone ​
~ MORE COMMENTS FROM FESTIVAL ATTENDEES ~​​
  • It was an amazing event and such positive energy everywhere. I brought a friend who was a bit hesitant and nervous, and didn't know what to expect - he too was blown away by how wonderful not only the presenters were, but how much he gained from the workshops and day overall.
  • So much fun!
  • This was such an eye opening event for me - thank you so much for making it accessible in Iowa. Bringing in specialized instructors who spoke about different things made it a very well rounded weekend!
  • Loved it, will come again!
  • Excellent, overall. LOVED Sadie Nardini (knew I would) and Max Strom - hope to get an opportunity to learn from him again. All classes were good, as was the general atmosphere/culture.
  • Loved it!
  • Amazing....amazing, amazing!
  • Overall the speakers were very knowledgeable. Very lucky to have Sadie and Max.  All the presentations I attended were very good.
  • Excellent
  • I appreciate having gluten free and dairy free options for lunch. I even got dessert.... truly a blessing as my allergies often leave dessert off my choices when dining out.
  • I was amazed the first year and again this year by how well the event is executed. I am also pleasantly surprised at the team's ability to free Julia and Scott to be provide true hospitality. It's like we were welcomed into their home.
  • The day a wonderful experience! Very invigorating... 
  • This was my first experience at a yoga conference and I enjoyed it very much. The energy was fantastic!
  • This is my 6th weekend yoga conference having
  • Enjoyed everything.​
  • attended such in Minneapolis, Chicago and Iowa City in the past. It compared favorably in every respect with the others. I'm was so impressed with the local talent and expertise.
  • Had a WONDERFUL time!  All my sessions were amazing! I plan on coming back again next year.​​
  • ​I loved it; especially being with the yoga community in Dubuque.
  • Overall I really enjoy the festival. I felt very welcome, included and part of a larger Dubuque yoga community.
  • It was amazing!
  • Wonderful weekend. Educational and inspiring.
  • This was my first yoga festival and I loved it! I absolutely adored Sadie and L.D. and both gave me new outlooks on different parts of my life that I will carry with me forever, I hope. :)
  • Fulfilling...
  • It was a good way to see a variety of people. Also get familiar with "local" people. I enjoyed classes with Steve/“Turbodog” and Scott Anderson. They both gave minor instructions that got my muscles fired up!
  • Terrific.
  • Good experience, Encourages me to dive deeper and more seriously into my practice to gain all that Yoga has to offer.
  • I thought the festival was amazing! I will definitely be back for next year. It was very well run. My only suggestions are to make the rooms warmer (if possible), and to offer more snack options/lunch options.
  • Great!
  • I really enjoyed attending! I only came for Saturday sessions. Next year I would like to do the whole weekend.
  • Very good, much to reflect on also.
  • Amazing
  • Very positive!!
  • I loved learning about different types of yoga. Overall was a great experience. I enjoyed the kundalini yoga experience.
  • DYF was awesome. I will definitely be back next year. Great job!
  • Great presenter. Yoga community so kind.
  • Saturday- the variety of workshops made for a day full of good vibes. Fun to break and shop around in the market!
  • Kids yoga was a hit!
  • Instructors were very helpful to those yoga beginners
  • I really enjoyed this event, and it was perfect timing for me to attend just prior to finishing my teacher training. I learned a ton and can't wait for next year.