Elevate Acro Festival

Billed as Canada's largest fall acroyoga festival, Elevate runs at Van-Es Camp & Conference Centre - a 100-acre forested property with two class halls, a chapel performance venue, trails and a pool - 20-30 minutes east of Edmonton.

Now in its fifth year, the non-profit festival brings 30+ international and North American instructors (Adam Pike, Agnes Yuen, Bryce Hodgkinson, Cosette LeBlanc, Hayley Silberg and more), with beginner-friendly options in every class slot, no class pre-registration, and a five-hour pre-festival workshop on handstands, two-highs and falling/spotting led by Heidi Blais. You choose your own path through the classes based on interest and posted prerequisites. On-site rooms and all meals are provided (with kitchen access to self-cater), weekend passes start under $300 CAD, and volunteer work-trades and financial assistance are available. Inclusivity, community and a no-scents policy sit at its core; the Saturday Showcase is open to outside guests.

The venue is in Sherwood Park, Alberta, and the festival - founded in October 2022 by co-founders Aiden Lamb, Erica Stables and Niall McKenna - runs its pre-festival workshop 'Connections & Alignments in Acro' with Heidi Blais. Optional accommodation is available on either end, waivers are mandatory, and community spaces are reserved for participants, volunteers and teachers except during the open Saturday Showcase.