3rd Annual Vegan Spirituality Retreat

Today is the 3rd Annual Vegan Spirituality Retreat in Philadelphia, presented by Public Eye: Artists for Animals and VeganSpirituality.com. We welcome Rae Sikora, founding director of Plant Peace Daily, as our featured speaker and Anne Dinshah, author of “Dating Vegans,” for a book signing. Neal Sehgal introduces his new organization, “Evolve For Animals.” The Retreat includes group discussions, guided meditations, yoga classes with vegan yogis John Calabria and Derek Goodwin, a delicious catered vegan lunch prepared by The Nile Cafe, a nature walk, and an Animal Blessing with rescue donkeys from La Ronda Stables. 

Yoga class with vegan vogi Derek Goodwin

The Blessing offers opportunities to celebrate animal companions, honor those that have died, empathize with animals suffering around the world, and create a vision of harmony between humans and other animals, complete with a vegan drum circle led by Lonnie Davis and the One Nation Ensemble!

Blessing rescued donkeys from La Ronda Stables

Below are the Retreat presenters & a brief bio for each:

Rae Sikora relaxing with a good friend

Rae Sikora has been a full-time spokesperson for other species for over 30 years. She is co-founder Plant Peace Daily, Vegfund, and the Institute for Humane Education. She leads compassionate living and ethical consumerism programs for diverse audiences ranging from schools and prisons to businesses and universities in the United States and abroad. She promotes healthy, sustainable, compassionate living through everyday lifestyle choices, www.plantpeacedaily.org.

Anne Dinshah

Anne Dinshah is a rowing coach, lifelong vegan, author of Healthy Hearty Helpings and co-author The 4-Ingredient Vegan. Her latest book Dating Vegans: Recipes for Relationships is a collection of witty, suggestive stories from real people, advice, and delicious recipes endorsed by both vegans and nonvegans, www.AmericanVegan.org.

Neal Sehgal with his beloved animal companion

Neal Sehgal is an educator, animal rights activist, and founder of www.evolveforanimals.org. 

John Calabria

John Calabria weaves Ahimsa (Nonviolence) teachings with a series of accessible yoga postures while singing and playing music, www.yogawithjohn.com. "If you can breathe, you can do this Yoga." 

Derek Goodwin

Derek Goodwin is a photographer, Jiva Mukti yoga instructor, and media-savvy NYC artist who specializes in people, animals, and events. He founded Vegan Radio, The Vegan Bus, and Veganica, www.derekgoodwin.com.