Kate's Yoga Blog

Prompt: What makes your practice space a "sacred space"? Consider the sounds, decorations, rules, behaviors and other aspects of the practice space that create an opportunity for ritual experience Response: The space I practice yoga in is set up in a way that resembles a church to me. There is a shrine of sorts in the front of the classroom, with Ganesh and large crystals upon it. Incense is left burning at the shrine to cleanse the space. There are depictions of the seven chakras on the walls. Soothing, rhythmic music is played for the duration of the practice that is often spoken in a language I do not recognize. All of our mats face the shrine at the front, where our instructor also stands to lead the practice. It is understood that the practice is to be judgement free, and that you aren't supposed to speak during it. You must also do the practice barefoot, and place your shoes into cubbies outside the actual practice space before entering. The instructor leads the c...

Prompt: A a student new to observing yoga, even if you are experienced at practice, begin your journals by observing the physical environment, the community of people who attend classes and frequent your practice space, and your impressions feelings and observations about what you are doing while "doing yoga". Journal entry: Today we did a Bikram yoga practice in class. Having never experienced or even heard of Bikram prior to last Tuesday, I wasn't sure what to expect. I figured it wouldn't be too far off from the heated power yoga I was familiar with. We created a space for yoga in the classroom by pushing all the tables away and opening the windows to allow hot air into the room. Our instructor, Diane, was unlike the yoga instructors I was used to. She was older than I'd expected and didn't exude the same kind of bubbly, airy demeanor that the instructors at my studio at home did. She moved us through Bikram's 26 postures in sets of two, placing empha...