All About Space

Now that I got your attention, this is the actual space I'm talking about. Your yoga space, your ritual space.

To me, a practice space is a scared space if it is open and welcoming. Many people practice yoga to escape their stress and nothing about their practice space should not contribute to their stress. A practice space should be a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment where everyone feels comfortable. It can be in a studio with an instructor and other people. It can be in your house. It can be outside. I find an outdoor practice space to be very peaceful and helps me connect with myself. I focus on my breathing and the white noise we hear every day like the wind blowing through the trees and animals running through the grass become dominate. Feeling the sun's rays has always helped with relaxing and finding peace of mind.

My yoga practice was in a building near the freshman side of campus. I was joined by classmates and some faculty as we took about an hour from our day to slow down. Since we were inside, there was a project set up of a tropical beach with palm tress blowing in the wind and small waves crashing against the sand. There were potted plants around the room. I used one as a spotter when we did poses that involved balance. There are "unspoken" rules that everyone follows during the practice. Shoes are taken off and left by the wall. Everyone spreads out across the room. There are no whispers or side chatter.

The instructor spoke in a soft voice so now and then I had to look up to follow along. Practices change each week based on people's preferences. I found that this week's practice had some more simple poses like ones from a sun salutation. I felt that the transition between some poses was a bit awkward, but the overall practice was very enjoyable nonetheless.

The lights were off and the blinds were drawn. Our phones were silences and put away. We disconnected ourselves from the material would and connected with the spiritual world. I find that a practice space is a ritual space based on the unspoken rules. No one told us to put our phones away. No one wanted to open the blinds. No one thought any less of a person if they could not achieve a certain pose just as no one thought of them selves as above anyone else for achieving specific pose. At the end of the practice, we listen to the instructor and bow our heads and say "Namaste", meaning "God be with you". There are not written rules or a sign telling us to do all these things. We just know to do these things and treat them as rules.

Practice spaces can be as big or small, crowded or empty as you like them to be. Your space being peaceful and comfortable is just an essential as the practice itself. It's important to be able to leave nervousness, stress, and insecurities at the door when entering a space for practice. If you find yourself distracted about what's going on around you or feel pressured to overthink, you won't be as rooted in your practice as you hope to be. Your space should be just as inviting and motivating as your practice.

Your yoga space doesn't always have to be a physical place you are in. If you are in your room or a large crowded room, you can close your eyes and envision your space. I believe that finding your "happy place" is the most sacred because it's entirely your own.

Until next time.

Space out.