Kirkcaldy Yoga Festival: inspired by Adam Smith for a 2026 ‘health of nations’
In the town where Adam Smith was born, his ideas in 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments about inner refinement and enlightenment are being revisited by this year's Kirkcaldy Yoga Festival.
Whilst celebrating the 250th anniversary of publication of The Wealth of Nations, this summer we can perhaps reframe this as a consideration into the 'Health of Nations' with the festival offering available, affordable and accessible Yoga as a tool for everyday health.
And the team behind the week long event have created their own AI inspired graphic of Adam in a yoga pose at the red heart which is situated close to the harbour, and its international trade which inspired so much of his thinking.
Organiser, Jo Mitchell, believes Patanjali's Yoga Sutras written 2000 years ago and Smith's Theory of Moral sentiments share common themes of self-reflection, discipline and habit to achieve virtue, and mastery of it as a gradual process requiring effort and commitment.
She said: “In a time of Artificial Intelligence, both the Yoga Sutras and Smith believe this inner work on oneself and one's moral consciousness, in turn, produces social harmony.
“Adam Smith’s vision of moral sentiment feels remarkably modern. Yoga teaches the same thing — that steadiness within ourselves helps create steadiness in our communities. Kirkcaldy is the perfect place to celebrate that connection.
“Yoga should be a first resort healthwise. Practising Yoga cultivates self-awareness and sensitivity towards your body. It isn’t just another set of exercises that you do. Yoga fosters subtle observations and awareness of your body’s mechanics and energetics. Body awareness is key to properly diagnosing ailments.
“Yoga is empowering as it helps you to take an active role in your own health.
The festival will see yoga delivered across the town, from long established studios to civic spaces and outdoor locations, with more than 25 low cost, or free sessions, designed to welcome beginners, men, teens, seniors and people managing health conditions and specific trades such as hairdressers and manual therapists.
It aims to showcase the broad provision of Yoga that already exists in the Lang Toun and to encourage participation and a wider adoption of yoga as a tool for physical, mental and spiritual health.
Festival highlights include:
Debunking the myth that Yoga is for women, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher Alan Gould is leading a men's class.
Muslim Motherhood's Women's Hatha Yoga class at Kirkcaldy's Central Mosque which is open to non Muslim women also.
Physio led Yoga sessions at the Movement Clinic, Teen Yoga at the Adam Smith Theatre and Outdoor Yoga in the Walled Garden at the Adam Smith Heritage Centre.
All tickets are £5 (£2.50 conc) and there are three free events
Yoga for Caregivers session at the Kirkcaldy Campus, School of Health Sciences University of Dundee, a Science of Yoga talk at Kirkcaldy Galleries and an outdoor Yoga session at Volunteer's Green on Sunday, June 21, celebrating the Summer Solstice and the United Nations International Day of Yoga.
Added Jo: “The 2026 programme is very varied offering you the chance to explore the different methods and forms of yoga and hopefully helping you to find the style of yoga that is right for you.” The full programme is available at KirkcaldyYogaFestival.com