The Studio as Ritual Space

This morning I took my second yoga class at the Yoga Nine studio in Ventnor. I attended the 10:30am gentle yoga. I purposely took the gentle class because it was aimed at beginners. In my last class I felt as though I was unable to control my breathing and my thoughts because I was constantly worried about what my poses looked like and if I was doing it correctly. This class focused more on stretching balance and basic postures. We went more at a slow and steady pace this way we were able to learn the true basics for a proper practice. My instructor was a young woman, Annie. She was extremely knowledgeable. Throughout the class she blew me away with the amount she knew about blood flow, metabolism, alignment and overall healthy practice. Having this information verbalized throughout the practice, especially as a beginner, truly gives a greater respect and understanding of the practice.

Walking into the studio is like taking a breathe of fresh air. Immediately upon entering I am greeted with a smile and the relaxing scent of what smells like essential oils. Looking around the space offers a soft welcome; the paintings of the leaves on the walls, the light colored background, the buddha decorations, everything around the room gives off a calming vibe. Once signed in and set up with my mat and props, I am able to take a moment to myself in silence. This moment to me is very important; it allows me to check in with myself and clear my mind before practice begins. Once practice begins there is a low but calming music playing throughout the room. This music linked with the community ujjayi breathe filling the room helps keep me calm and in the flow of my practice.

The aspect of the studio that I find the most sacred is the overwhelming feeling of non-judgement. My class today, including my instructor, was a class of 6. It did not matter whether I was young or old, male or female, beginner or expert, I felt welcomed and completely comfortable. There is an unspoken sense of support in the room throughout the practice. Everyone is focusing on themselves and the advancement of their own practice, however I do not feel one bit of intimidation to go out of my comfort zone. The overall environment I am in when practicing yoga at Yoga Nine removes all fear of failure, To me, this truly makes the studio a ritual space.