This year’s nonprofit partner of the Dirty South Yoga Fest (DSYF) is The Dharma Project, an organization that makes yoga and mindfulness more accessible to underserved communities. At each festival, DSYF chooses a nonprofit to receive a portion of its proceeds.

“The Dharma Project is a yoga-based nonprofit and an extension of our shared values of how yoga can improve people's lives and the collective community,” says Jessica Murphy, founder and director of DSYF.

Founded in 2016 by Rutu Chaudhari, The Dharma Project offers two programs: Practice on Purpose and Give Yoga, Get Yoga. The former addresses underserved communities, such as inmates at the Georgia Department of Corrections. Give Yoga, Get Yoga is a yoga teacher training program that is paid, hour-for-hour, with yoga service. The number of hours that students train is the number of hours they teach in the community.

The festival takes place August 25 to 27 at the Loudermilk Center in downtown Atlanta; its title sponsor is Lululemon Athletica. “After so many were unable to connect over the past three years due to the pandemic, DSYF decided to include the theme of collaboration to add another layer of connection among our incredible yoga community,” says Murphy. As a result, most classes will be taught by two instructors instead of just one.

Highlights include a performance by Gina Minyard and Gershone as well as an introductory talk about Ayurveda by Kim Rossi, the Ayurveda spa director at Art of Living Retreat Center on Saturday. On Sunday, Octavia Raheem will offer a yoga nidra class.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit DirtySouthYogaFest.com. Disclosure: Natural Awakenings is a sponsor of the Dirty South Yoga Fest.