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Yoga and ice baths on offer at new festival

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Somerset
Fire in Your Soul A view of Chew Valley Lake with trees and hills behind it. In the foreground are people gathering around tents, slightly out of focus.Fire in Your Soul
The festival will take place on land near Chew Valley Lake

Organisers of a festival that will feature yoga classes and ice baths alongside live music say they want to offer an alternative to normal festival party culture.

Fire in Your Soul is a new festival which will be held close to Chew Valley Lake in Somerset from 4-6 July.

Electronic musician Milly on Air, who will be performing at the festival, said there has been a "need for wellness".

"People are more open and embracing wellbeing practices and looking after their mental health and their community's mental health. Wellness doesn't have to be chilled out, it's also about finding joy, celebration and energy," she added.

Fire In Your Soul People are sitting on yoga mats in a yurt. They are doing yoga exercises that a teacher in the front is demonstrating.Fire In Your Soul
A new festival offers yoga workshops and ice baths alongside live music

"The festival is for people like me - who might be having a midlife crisis," Luke Hasell, event organiser, said. "Anyone who wants to be doing better for ourselves and the world."

Mr Hasell owns farmland near the lake and planted trees on the site in 2004, which has become known as 'Nature's Spectacular' and will be where the festival will be held.

"I wanted to make my farm a beacon of hope for the area," Mr Hasell said.

Fire in Your Soul is a new festival which was born out of Valley Fest, which Mr Hasell has hosted in recent years.

"Fire in Your Soul was an area at Valley Fest and it's taken on its own life. I want it to be a more boutique, relaxed event," Mr Hasell added.

Milly on Air A woman is seen from her shoulders up. She has brown hair and is holding her head in her hands.Milly on Air
Milly on Air said music has "always had a healing power"

Milly on Air added: "Music has always been healing and it has the ability to process emotion and experience a connection to something bigger than you.

"Playing to a crowd where the crowd are conscious and more sober, it's such a powerful experience. People weren't clouded by substances, their connection to the music felt really intense. I felt a real connection with the crowd."

Alongside a music programme, the festival will offer yoga workshops, breathwork sessions and ice baths.

In the evenings, chef Simon Dyer will make seasonal, zero-waste meals and there will also be live poetry sessions.

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