• The Beacon Yoga Centre is putting on an alternative Christmas Fair with kirtan chanting, fair trade goods and an Indian buffet.

IF you’re already over all the stress and materialism associated with the festive period, then head down to the Beacon Yoga Centre tomorrow (Sunday December 11) for a Christmas Fair with a difference.

Held in the grounds of the historic Sivananda ashram in Beaconsfield, you’ll be able to do some kirtan chanting, buy fair trade and second hands goods from more than 30 stalls, and escape all the stress of the ‘silly season’ in the wellness emporium with practitioners offering massage, reiki, naturopathy, kinesiology and even tarot readings.

There’s also live music on the “top lawn” with a marimba and folk group in the morning and a mix of performers in the afternoon.

And when it comes to food, well, forget about the mince pies and mulled wine, and enjoy an Indian buffet lunch and a refreshing high chai tea instead.

In the beautiful ashram gardens they’ll be a variety of stallholders selling fair trade products, second hand designer clothes, homewares, jams, fashion and books. And make sure you stay until 6pm to participate in the kirtan chanting.

“Essentially kirtan and chanting is about devotional singing, and we have an incredible line up of very contemporary musicians that offer this as part of a band,” says Beacon Yoga Centre teacher Heidi Woschnak.

“Like singing, chanting is energising and great fun! It gets us beyond our mental chatter and into the depths of our heart.

“We run a weekly packed-to-the-hills kirtan as part of our regular offering at 6.30pm on Sunday nights.”

For more than 40 years, the Beacon Yoga Centre has been a mecca for yoga practitioners, spiritual seekers and those wanting to experience a contemplative lifestyle.

Founded by renowned Indian author and teacher Swami Venkatesananda in the mid-1970s, it has long been a landmark on the hill on South Street in Beaconsfield.

Alongside yoga, meditation, philosophical study and discussion, it also offers special events, retreats and long term residential places.

“We have a summer school program from January 2-6 that offers all day yoga classes with a great line of teachers and offerings, and we have many exciting special events throughout 2023 including some visiting international teachers,” Ms Woschnak says.

“We are a true beacon of light on the hill offering high vibration events, classes and retreats in a great community setting; something that we all need more of post-covid.”

The Christmas Fair is from 10am-7pm tomorrow (Sunday December 11) at The Beacon Yoga Centre, 151 South Street, Beaconsfield.