About BYF

Vision

Our goal is to create the premiere yoga festival in New England. We imagine a space and time every year where yogis from all around New England can get together as a community for depth practice with master teachers, connection to nature, inspiring education and art, new friendships, and music that moves the soul. We want to share the magic of the Berkshires and celebrate the practice of Yoga with all who seek health, happiness, and inner peace; leaving attendees with a sense of wonder and joy in life.

HISTORY of the BERKSHIRES

Geologists tell us that the Berkshire Mountains are some of the oldest in the world, and millions of years ago were as tall as the Himalayas! Before Europeans settled in New England the Native Americans nurtured the land and considered the old rolling hills of the Berkshire mountains to be sacred. Even as the Native people and their natural way of life was pushed out by the freight train of the Industrial Revolution the Berkshires still retained their special standing as a healing place. When the Rockefellers and Vanderbuilts first made the area their summer vacation spots.the Berkshires became a mecca of healing, yoga, and creative arts for New Englanders, and this continues through to today.

Leadership

Andrew Tanner (Co-Founder and Festival Director) has always loved connecting dots… He believes that Human Technology (aka Yoga) and Info technology have an important future together. Andrew has spent over 20 years in the yoga, wellness, and tech industries and is the author of So You Want to Open a Yoga Studio, a business bible for yogis. He founded and later sold 5 yoga studios in NYC, NJ, and MA, and held leadership positions at Yoga Alliance, Kripalu, LiveEdit Aurora, and Union.fit.

An accomplished yoga teacher with over 20 years experience, Andrew teaches in teacher trainings and retreats around the world and a weekly class combining his core studies of Korean Mountain Taoism and Hatha Yoga in the tradition of Sri Dharma Mittra. In November of 2023, Andrew met Ilana Ackerman who shared her dream of creating a yoga festival in the Berkshires, after a few phone calls and a long cup of tea, Andrew was all-in and the Berkshire Yoga Festival was born.

Ilana Ackerman, Co-Founder, had a unique childhood. Raised by a single mother with an open mind, she spent most of her childhood traveling from Ashram to Ashram, as well as spending years of her life at Kripalu and Findhorn. Her times in spiritual community were deeply healing to her. She went on to earn a Masters Degree in Social Work. and currently works as a therapist helping children and parents navigate the challenges of everyday life. After starting a family of her own and moving back to the Berkshires, Ilana attended one of the first Wanderlust Festivals in 2014.

She felt like she was right back at Findhorn where the love and healing she experienced was truly palpable. She attended the festival every year and always brought friends to share the experience of a healing community until Covid made short work of the yoga festival scene. This was a huge loss for Ilana and she felt it was important to manifest something herself if she wanted to share the power of spiritual community with others. Thus, the seed of an idea to bring a festival to the Berkshires was planted. After a couple years of planning and trying to find the right location Ilana knew she needed some help to make her vision a reality, and by Kismet she was introduced to Andrew Tanner in November of 2023 and the rest is history

Scott Kleinfeld, Partner & Head of Ops, embodies the perfect blend of seasoned business acumen and deep yogic commitment. As the operational maestro behind the prestigious Berkshire Yoga Festival, he seamlessly integrates his profound understanding of yoga with top-notch operational strategies. Scott's meticulous oversight of festival logistics and 'Dregs of Wisdom' content production ensures adherence to the highest standards and alignment with the brand’s core values. His leadership approach marries mindfulness with robust business tactics, creating environments that thrive both in wellness and business efficiency.

Beyond orchestrating successful festivals, Scott has a rich history of sales leadership excellence, having honed sales strategies and led dynamic teams at companies like Union, Yelp, and Live Edit, a MINDBODY Partner company. Here, he has demonstrated a keen prowess in digital marketing and customer relationship management. Additionally, Scott's entrepreneurial journey at Bamboomoves Yoga, where he co-owned and managed multiple studios, showcases his dedication to advancing wellness community initiatives through innovative health programs. His holistic leadership style not only fosters business growth but also nurtures community well-being.

Lauren Turner, Marketing & Social Media, has helped craft and maintain the brand and website for the Festival. Lauren is an accomplished yoga teacher, and director and founder of the Warrior Within Yoga Project, a non profit serving yoga to veterans and first responders, making trauma-informed yoga services more accessible throughout Massachusetts. Lauren has worked and consulted with businesses in the nonprofit, wellness and retail industry along with many yoga studios and wellness providers across the country.