By Erin Haggerty August 29, 2012

On Labor Day weekend, yoga studios across the Island will host the third annual Martha's Vineyard Yoga Festival. Studios will open their doors to visiting teachers from around the country, giving local yoga practitioners a chance to experience something and someone new.

The Chilmark Community Center is where much of the festival's action will take place. To make the center a little more yoga-like, co-producer Mollie Doyle and festival founder Kathy Bega enlisted local architect, Peter Breese to revamp the space.

"We reworked the vibe of a very dreary entry space," said Mr. Breese. "We made it more comfortable, finished and welcoming we activated it."

The custom-designed Community Center will not only host classes but will feature a pop-up yoga clothes shop and health food caf. Chris Fischer of Beetlebung Farm is in charge of everything edible at the festival, including Friday night's vegan feast to be served at the Beetlebung Greenhouse. During the day, there will be smoothies, salads, Chilmark coffee, and snacks from Not Your Sugar Mama's available at the Community Center.

The festival kicks off on Thursday when FLY Yoga presents Saul David Raye at the Chilmark Community Center from 9 am to noon and 1pm to 4 pm.

Claire Parkhurst, owner of Tapas Hot Yoga in Vineyard Haven, said she was thrilled to collaborate with Ms. Bega and Ms. Doyle. "They've worked so hard to bring such great teachers, and they really wanted to involve the already-existing yoga community," she said.

Michelle Boullion a yoga teacher, Lululemon Ambassador, and owner of Wild Tiger Yoga in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will teach two classes at Tapas Hot Yoga. Ms. Boullion, a participant in the past two festival's, is looking forward to escaping the Louisiana heat and returning to the more forgiving late summer in New England. She will teach a "power hot" class in Ms. Parkhurst's heated studio.

Ms. Boullion stresses the importance of a balanced workout. "Strength plus flexibility equals functionality," she said. "I don't just want my students to be able to do a headstand; you should be able to carry your kids around, walk to work, etc." Before class, Ms. Boullion will discuss the method and benefits of self-massage and myofascial release using foam rollers and tennis balls to release tension and relieve pain. Ms. Boullion will teach at the Chilmark Community Center on Friday, August 31, at 8 am, and at Tapas Hot Yoga on Saturday and Sunday at 10 am.

Lindel Hart, owner of Hart Yoga in Shelburne Falls, is also a veteran of past festivals. He said he is excited about returning to the Island and called the last two festivals "phenomenal experiences."

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Annual Martha's Vineyard yoga festival is a feast of activities