Josh Gibbs

Mid-term project - Yoga Theory, Culture, and Practice

October 15, 2014

The Yoga studio I attended was Samara Yoga located on Elm Street in Davis Square in Somerville, MA. The studio is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. The studio is on the second floor of a busy street, near pubs, thrift shops and various other store fronts. Samara describes itself as “An urban oasis in the heart of Davis Square” , and this description proves accurate in contrast to the business going on outside of the studio. 

The bulk of the classes offered at Samara are based in Vinyasa, which stems from the Ashtanga tradition. “The practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is based around several series of  āsanas (‘postures’ or ‘poses’), tied together in a ‘garland’ (ma ̄la ̄) of poses by a series of movements (vinya ̄sa).9 These movements and poses are coordinated with a breathing technique (ujjay ̄ı pra ̄ ̇na ̄ya ̄ma, ‘victorious breathing technique’), which is practiced throughout the sequences of a ̄sanas and vinya ̄sa.” (Smith, 2007). Samara does not participate in Groupon’s or Living Social promotions, and because of this they have a more dedicated community. with fewer people going just once or twice. 

They cover a variety of styles, such as Anusara, Forrest and Power Yoga. They offer classes which range from Restorative, Yin, Form and Flow and Anusara inspired. The classes are scheduled to meet the needs of every type of practitioner. There are early morning classes, lunch hour, evening and weekend classes, as well as several offered throughout the day.  

What peeked my interest in this studio, other than the location, was that it did not look flashy or overstated. It just felt like a humble studio that served a single purpose. I suppose the most important aspect to me in choosing this studio, is that I didn’t feel intimidated.  I felt that as a novice, I could go here and not feel judged or concerned about my lack of experience and skill. The class I chose was the all levels Vinyasa class at 7:00AM. My teacher was Rachel Barringer. 

That morning I woke with a dull  Tamas energy. I hadn’t done Vinyasa in a very long time and had some anxiety about it, as my recollection of it had been grueling especially when out of practice. I have never kept a consistent yoga practice for longer than a few weeks, and because of this I haven’t ever felt very confident with my yoga practice. 

When I arrived I was the first one there. Within a few minutes a group of older Caucasian woman arrived with their mats in hand. They appeared upbeat and it looked as if they had been there several times before. They knew the sign-in process and when the teacher arrived one of them thanks her for the referral of a massage therapist who worked on an issue she had with her leg. I noticed right away that this isn’t just a drop in class, but that there is some sense of community. The recognition of the student-teacher relationship is interesting. It’s not an authoritative one, it’s more friendly and causal. As more people arrived I noticed it was mostly woman, but with a variety of ages. Most looked to be in their 20s and 30s. There were only two men including myself, and we looked to be of similar age. The attire was similar for everyone. The woman wore athletic clothes, mostly a single colored tank top with black athletic pants. The men wore shorts and t-shirts. It did not appear that anyone else knew each other. We kept to ourselves until the class started. 

The physical appearance of the studio is very clean and organized. There are few spiritual objects, but a large picture of a Buddha statue, as well as a statue that looked to be a hybrid between a hindu deva and a buddha. It was hard to say. There was also a large white crystal-like bell.  The hall smells of lemon and is meticulously organized and simple. I noticed the lack of religious symbolism and artwork. In Mark Singleton’s book, Yoga Body, he explains this phenomenon. “What is initially striking about the kind of transnational hatha yoga commonly taught today is the degree to which it departs from the model outlined in these texts”.(Singleton, 2010:29) There wasn’t any reference to the history or meaning behind the objects that were there, and the religious and philosophical components to yoga looked to be almost absent entirely. 

The teacher, Rachel Barringer has been teaching at Samara for six years. She has a way about her that suggests non-conformity. Her appearance is somewhat different that what I have associated with yoga teachers in the past, and she does not look to possess the ideal style you might see on the cover of Yoga Journal or in an instructional video. She has a piercing though the center of her nose, a very unique hair style and many tattoos. Her demeanor is strong and direct. Her age is unknown, although likely around mid to late 20s. She is a former classical Cellist who took up yoga to help with her anxiety on stage. She also teaches at another studio in South Boston. 

We start the class seated with a very brief silence; our hands together at heart center. The silence lasts for less than a minute, and then we go right into the asanas. Rachel turns up the heat and puts on some rhythmic music. She demonstrates the movements for us as she talks. Her teaching style is direct and at times sounded forceful. The idea of being gentle with ourselves did not translate in her instruction. She encouraged us to push ourselves. Phrases like “you can do this” and “come on, it’s only chair pose” were meant as playful encouragement, but may not have been for everyone. She tended to those who needed adjustments, such as myself. Personally, I did not enjoy her approach, but that’s not to say it’s not effective for some people. There is a tone of impatience in her voice, and this comes through in her demeanor as well. Regardless of her tone, she is an active teacher. She makes her way around the room and is present and  engaging. 

After the class, I asked Rachel if I could ask her some questions for this assignment and she agreed. I asked her how she thought the physical practice as taught by her at Samara informed the spiritual practice of yoga. She talked about how when you connect with the physical body, it helps you align with the internal processes. We also discussed the types of yoga and how she likes that Vinyasa is very focused on the movements and dedication to perfecting those movements. We talked about Bikram and Baptiste and she commented that she thought they were “silly”. She has experience with them, but did not think one could get the same effect from those studios than one’s that teach more traditional forms of yoga. She didn’t see them as negative, but i sensed that she was suggesting they were insincere and diluted in comparison to the original intent of yoga. She sites a teacher, Anna Forrest whom she related to. She appreciated her tough approach, and you can see the influence this had in her teaching style. 

I asked Rachel what she tough about the profitability of yoga and how it is such an enormous business now. She said it was an inevitable result in a society that values material wealth. She was optimistic about where yoga is heading, and thought it might be stabilizing. She was happy that yoga is being taught in schools and health care facilities, but made sure to mention the differences between what’s being taught in those places and the yoga in the studios. 

When asked why she incorporates such a minimal amount of spirituality to her class, she replied that she doesn’t like being force fed these ideas for herself, so with that she doesn’t want to be the one to deliver it to the class. I was especially intrigued by her response because personally I have felt disenchanted by the diluted and often superficial spiritualism that is found in pop-culture. Its my own perception that has turned me away from yoga for so long. I embrace it now with a healthy skepticism and a better sense of what to look for, but it is hard not to run into it as it can be found in most yoga studios and retreat centers in the USA. This particular studio caters to both sides, those who like their yoga as a simple physical practice to improve one’s well-being, or for those who want to go a little deeper there are intensive workshops on finding peace in urban living, mindfulness meditation and chakra work. Reflecting on all the various kinds of yoga we’ve learned about, I consider one extreme where hip-hop yoga, Bikram and Baptise have there place on one end, and the anti-authority people like Krishnamurti on another end, Samara looks to land respectively right in the middle.

References:

Smith, B. (2007). Body, Mind and Spirit? Towards an Analysis of the Practice of Yoga. Body & Society, Vol. 13(2), 25-46.

Singleton, M. (2010). A brief introduction of yoga in the indian tradition. In Yoga body: The origins of modern posture practice (p. 29). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Yoga Fieldwork Paper - Josh Gibbs

Josh Gibbs

Mid-term project - Yoga Theory, Culture, and Practice

October 15, 2014

The Yoga studio I attended was Samara Yoga located on Elm Street in Davis Square in Somerville, MA. The studio is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. The studio is on the second floor of a busy street, near pubs, thrift shops and various other store fronts. Samara describes itself as “An urban oasis in the heart of Davis Square” , and this description proves accurate in contrast to the business going on outside of the studio. 

The bulk of the classes offered at Samara are based in Vinyasa, which stems from the Ashtanga tradition. “The practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is based around several series of  āsanas (‘postures’ or ‘poses’), tied together in a ‘garland’ (ma ̄la ̄) of poses by a series of movements (vinya ̄sa).9 These movements and poses are coordinated with a breathing technique (ujjay ̄ı pra ̄ ̇na ̄ya ̄ma, ‘victorious breathing technique’), which is practiced throughout the sequences of a ̄sanas and vinya ̄sa.” (Smith, 2007). Samara does not participate in Groupon’s or Living Social promotions, and because of this they have a more dedicated community. with fewer people going just once or twice. 

They cover a variety of styles, such as Anusara, Forrest and Power Yoga. They offer classes which range from Restorative, Yin, Form and Flow and Anusara inspired. The classes are scheduled to meet the needs of every type of practitioner. There are early morning classes, lunch hour, evening and weekend classes, as well as several offered throughout the day.  

What peeked my interest in this studio, other than the location, was that it did not look flashy or overstated. It just felt like a humble studio that served a single purpose. I suppose the most important aspect to me in choosing this studio, is that I didn’t feel intimidated.  I felt that as a novice, I could go here and not feel judged or concerned about my lack of experience and skill. The class I chose was the all levels Vinyasa class at 7:00AM. My teacher was Rachel Barringer. 

That morning I woke with a dull  Tamas energy. I hadn’t done Vinyasa in a very long time and had some anxiety about it, as my recollection of it had been grueling especially when out of practice. I have never kept a consistent yoga practice for longer than a few weeks, and because of this I haven’t ever felt very confident with my yoga practice. 

When I arrived I was the first one there. Within a few minutes a group of older Caucasian woman arrived with their mats in hand. They appeared upbeat and it looked as if they had been there several times before. They knew the sign-in process and when the teacher arrived one of them thanks her for the referral of a massage therapist who worked on an issue she had with her leg. I noticed right away that this isn’t just a drop in class, but that there is some sense of community. The recognition of the student-teacher relationship is interesting. It’s not an authoritative one, it’s more friendly and causal. As more people arrived I noticed it was mostly woman, but with a variety of ages. Most looked to be in their 20s and 30s. There were only two men including myself, and we looked to be of similar age. The attire was similar for everyone. The woman wore athletic clothes, mostly a single colored tank top with black athletic pants. The men wore shorts and t-shirts. It did not appear that anyone else knew each other. We kept to ourselves until the class started. 

The physical appearance of the studio is very clean and organized. There are few spiritual objects, but a large picture of a Buddha statue, as well as a statue that looked to be a hybrid between a hindu deva and a buddha. It was hard to say. There was also a large white crystal-like bell.  The hall smells of lemon and is meticulously organized and simple. I noticed the lack of religious symbolism and artwork. In Mark Singleton’s book, Yoga Body, he explains this phenomenon. “What is initially striking about the kind of transnational hatha yoga commonly taught today is the degree to which it departs from the model outlined in these texts”.(Singleton, 2010:29) There wasn’t any reference to the history or meaning behind the objects that were there, and the religious and philosophical components to yoga looked to be almost absent entirely. 

The teacher, Rachel Barringer has been teaching at Samara for six years. She has a way about her that suggests non-conformity. Her appearance is somewhat different that what I have associated with yoga teachers in the past, and she does not look to possess the ideal style you might see on the cover of Yoga Journal or in an instructional video. She has a piercing though the center of her nose, a very unique hair style and many tattoos. Her demeanor is strong and direct. Her age is unknown, although likely around mid to late 20s. She is a former classical Cellist who took up yoga to help with her anxiety on stage. She also teaches at another studio in South Boston. 

We start the class seated with a very brief silence; our hands together at heart center. The silence lasts for less than a minute, and then we go right into the asanas. Rachel turns up the heat and puts on some rhythmic music. She demonstrates the movements for us as she talks. Her teaching style is direct and at times sounded forceful. The idea of being gentle with ourselves did not translate in her instruction. She encouraged us to push ourselves. Phrases like “you can do this” and “come on, it’s only chair pose” were meant as playful encouragement, but may not have been for everyone. She tended to those who needed adjustments, such as myself. Personally, I did not enjoy her approach, but that’s not to say it’s not effective for some people. There is a tone of impatience in her voice, and this comes through in her demeanor as well. Regardless of her tone, she is an active teacher. She makes her way around the room and is present and  engaging. 

After the class, I asked Rachel if I could ask her some questions for this assignment and she agreed. I asked her how she thought the physical practice as taught by her at Samara informed the spiritual practice of yoga. She talked about how when you connect with the physical body, it helps you align with the internal processes. We also discussed the types of yoga and how she likes that Vinyasa is very focused on the movements and dedication to perfecting those movements. We talked about Bikram and Baptiste and she commented that she thought they were “silly”. She has experience with them, but did not think one could get the same effect from those studios than one’s that teach more traditional forms of yoga. She didn’t see them as negative, but i sensed that she was suggesting they were insincere and diluted in comparison to the original intent of yoga. She sites a teacher, Anna Forrest whom she related to. She appreciated her tough approach, and you can see the influence this had in her teaching style. 

I asked Rachel what she tough about the profitability of yoga and how it is such an enormous business now. She said it was an inevitable result in a society that values material wealth. She was optimistic about where yoga is heading, and thought it might be stabilizing. She was happy that yoga is being taught in schools and health care facilities, but made sure to mention the differences between what’s being taught in those places and the yoga in the studios. 

When asked why she incorporates such a minimal amount of spirituality to her class, she replied that she doesn’t like being force fed these ideas for herself, so with that she doesn’t want to be the one to deliver it to the class. I was especially intrigued by her response because personally I have felt disenchanted by the diluted and often superficial spiritualism that is found in pop-culture. Its my own perception that has turned me away from yoga for so long. I embrace it now with a healthy skepticism and a better sense of what to look for, but it is hard not to run into it as it can be found in most yoga studios and retreat centers in the USA. This particular studio caters to both sides, those who like their yoga as a simple physical practice to improve one’s well-being, or for those who want to go a little deeper there are intensive workshops on finding peace in urban living, mindfulness meditation and chakra work. Reflecting on all the various kinds of yoga we’ve learned about, I consider one extreme where hip-hop yoga, Bikram and Baptise have there place on one end, and the anti-authority people like Krishnamurti on another end, Samara looks to land respectively right in the middle.

References:

Smith, B. (2007). Body, Mind and Spirit? Towards an Analysis of the Practice of Yoga. Body & Society, Vol. 13(2), 25-46.

Singleton, M. (2010). A brief introduction of yoga in the indian tradition. In Yoga body: The origins of modern posture practice (p. 29). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Coolidge Corner Yoga: Gentle Yoga

Jodee Doka
Laura Douglas 
Yoga; Theory, Culture, and Practice
Oct. 15, 2014
Coolidge Corner Yoga

I visited the Coolidge corner yoga, a small upstairs studio in Brookline, Ma. The studio was founded in 2013 by, Tatyana Souza and her husband, David Souza, who stand as co-owners, designed the studio to further and begin the knowledge of yoga to other community members.
Tatyana is the founder, who first started out as a scientist, and finished her PhD in Immunology in 2006. As Tatyana was trying to push a research on modern medicines, she discovered yoga, at a Forrest yoga class. After that she became very dedicated practitioner in yoga, seeking not only a workout but a revitalization, serenity, and adventure. Thru her introduction to yoga, she realized that yoga was more beneficial then chemical drugs/medicine. Tatyana finished her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2011 at the Back Bay School of Yoga. She is a registered teacher by the nation Yoga Alliance and has taught ever since. 
David, who is a entrepreneur, but stands a investment management. He is completing his graduates degree in Statistic studies at Harvard University. Aside from that, her is a well groomed tri-athlete, who is constantly running and biking around the Brookline area. He is also a Yogi himself, which help his endurance, flexibility and creating a high level of mental toughness. 
My teacher with the gentle yoga class was Nicole Clark. Nicole, has been spending 22 years she has been studying to understand the human body and its movement via, meditation, dance, visual art, and yoga. After spending 11 years practicing yoga in New York and Los Angeles, with Vinyasa, Jivamukti, Hatha, Sivananda, and Bikram,and discovering Forrest yoga. In 2002, she finished her training and went on to teach at the Forrest Yoga circle in Los Angeles. 
  Their mission for the  studio is the help people find a clearer mind, and a sense of well-being. By nourishing the body inside and out, will lead to a healthier, happier life. Their classes are a rage of yoga that helps any type of person. With that said, they not inly help the community by teacher and practicing yoga, but they also donate half of their profits to various organizations. The classes consist of Vinyasa, Core flow,Fundamentals, Flow and Restore, Forrest Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Kids Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Trance Flow, TriUbne Laster class, Urban Beatz, Yin Yoga, and Yoga for athletes. They want to impact more then just giving the opportunity of practicing yoga, but to also impact the world around us as time goes on. 
Not only is the studio a place for well-being and calmness, but it is also a business, which may not seem very yogi like, however that is our culture today. Everything can be turned into a business, however, during my time at the studio, there was not a sign of commercialized people or environment. It was very organic and the people/staff appeared to have wanted to be there, and did not show any essence of ‘it was their job’. Sure there were items for sale, but mats were their to borrow for a class, as well as other yoga equipment. I find it hard to believe that a small studio that practices yoga, could stay clear of commercialized persona, because that is how they get their business. 
I attended the the Gentle yoga class with Nicole Clark. Gentle yoga is designed for the people who wish not to be so vigorous than more advanced classes. The main focus of gentle yoga, is to incorporate light stretches and breathing as the simple movements help increase the rage of motion in joints and increase energy. As fro Nicole Clark, she was very helpful with hands on adjustments, working with injuries, and a great sequence of movements and poses. She made it feel very safe and comfortable for all her students.
As for me i feel that it did just that. I went into the class nervous, tired, and hopping i wouldn't fall asleep.  However, as we began, the teacher was kind enough to come and fix our postures if needed, it was a comfort sign. I enjoyed the blankets and elongated pillows, and blocks that would help support the areas we need improvements in. As we practices the movements beginning at our feet, and work our way up, we would hold our pose and do 5 mins of straight breathing in the pose. I felt that continuing this, throughout the class, it help us prepare for the next pose. Giving our body more rage in movement and preparation for the next and or more difficult poses. The classed lasted for an hour and a half but only felt like 15 minutes long. I think by fixating so much on the breathing and trying to maintain a posture is on hits own time. It felt like time switched places with the movement and what felt would take long to figure out who to breath. I;m not sure if that made sense but that is the feeling it left me with. Confused and rejuvenated. 
I feel that the theories of yoga are the ones about focus on focusing on noting and to be in the moment. Because there are not many times one can just fixate absolute nothing or a breath, because it is a task to even do for either. The breathing is also a sole basis, because of the simplicity of it being just breathing. However, not many know of the power that controlled breathe. I feel that today, yoga is not always fixated on the actual practice and culture of it, but solely on the business aspect of it. The clothing is now a big focus point and it almost acts as a part of the culture itself.  Which I feel is out of place, because after seeing article about the “real” yogi out there, where they wear no clothes. Compare that with the yoga magazine today, its strictly commercialized and is fixated on a seductive (sometimes) posture in trendy yoga wear. Which is something that should change because it is a theory, healing, art, culture that shouldn't be forgotten. The affect yoga has had on me fro the past couple years is that is creates center for me, which generates a balance. Its a place where I can feel the light and joy, which is sometimes I hope is never lost with yoga as it progresses in western culture.

References:

New Yoga Studio in the Heart of Brookline Offers Classes for Every Age and Ability. (2013, September 13). Retrieved October 13, 2014.

Tripp, M. (2013, September 26). Coolidge Corner Yoga Opening This Weekend. Retrieved October 12, 2014.

Coolidge Corner Yoga opens Sept. 29. (2013, September 22). Retrieved October 13, 2014.

Megan W. Midterm

Megan Whitney

Yoga: Theory, Culture, Practice

Midterm

Laura Douglass

10/15/14

Yoga In America

I attended the Coolidge Corner Yoga studio located in Brookline, MA.  Tatyana Souza is the founder of Coolidge Corner Yoga which opened its doors on September 29, 2013.  The residents of Brookline built the Yoga studio for the community and anyone else that desires to have a new experience.   The studio has one large studio in the front of the building and a second smaller studio. It was built with sustainability in mind with plenty of natural sunlight and bamboo wooden floors and furnishings fabricated from reclaimed wood and antique pieces. There is a small lounge area where you take off your shoes before you enter.    

Before Souza found yoga, she was a scientist who had completed her PhD in Immunology focusing on modern medicine.  She discovered yoga when she was pregnant with her first child and realized that yoga is much more than the physical workout itself.  She discovered that it is about the mind and body and the connection between them. Being a scientist, she believes that yoga may have more positive benefits then the use of chemical drugs.  She and her husband created this studio to create a better life for people and to share the positive changes that she went through and see it happen for others. Her yoga classes are for all levels and abilities and embrace a relaxing way to relieve stresses in daily living while sharing both the mental and the physical benefits of practicing yoga.  She completed her 200 hour training in yoga at the Back Bay School of Yoga, to become a certified instructor. Since then she has been teaching and helping others enjoy the rewards of yoga and sharing how yoga has helped her and influenced her life. 

            Coolidge Corner Yoga offers many classes including; Vinyasa, Awaken Your Spirit Sunday Vinyasa, Core Flow, Fundamentals, Flow and Restore, Forrest Yoga, Foundations of Forrest, Gentle Yoga, Kids Yoga Lab, Prenatal Yoga, TranceFlow, Triune Master Class, Urban Beatz, Yin Yoga, and Yoga for Athletes.  The class I took was the Gentle Yoga class that is taught by Nicole Clark.  The class was an hour and a half (7:30-9pm) but it felt like the time flew by.  Gentle Yoga is a class where it is less strenuous than Vinyasa.  It is more about the relaxation and the use of gentle stretches and breathing.  The class is designed for helping the motion of your joints, muscles and tissue.  Nicole was always intrigued about understanding the body and its nature of movement and healing.

For eleven years Nicole Clark studied yoga in New York and Los Angeles.  She has studied and practiced Vinyasa, Jivamukti, Hatha, Sivananda, Bikram, and Forrest Yoga.  She also works with students that have injuries and at the beginning of the class the first thing she asks is if anyone has an injury and she goes out of her way to care for those injuries.  Nicole made everyone feel welcomed and would help students that needed assistance or she corrected us if we were doing the stretches wrong.  Something that I personally enjoyed was that she kept reminding us that we do not need to feel forced to do a pose.  She also had an assistant to make sure we all had what we needed and to make us feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible so our minds were clear and we did not have to worry about anything. 

            Coolidge Corner Yoga’s mission is to help individuals lead a healthier life such as having a calm/relaxed mind and just being happier with themselves and in life.  Its goal is to have us take the time to slow down and challenge our mind with the body.  Tatyana’s mantra “feel good, do good” is about letting individuals simply nourish and replenish to create a better place.  The studio does practice the “do good” and chooses a charity to donate half of their profits to a worthy cause.  Yoga is so profound, and it is not just about the challenge to our body but to also help each of us discover who we are and find our identity.  The staff strives to create an environment where people can come to practice yoga and feel comfortable doing so. Anyone is welcome to come whether you have experience with yoga or if you are brand new to it.  I personally agree that yoga is the best way to relieve my stress.

One thing that makes this studio unique is that it offers classes for all ages.  It is open to children, teens/students, prenatal, and adults.  Coolidge Corner Yoga serves the community of Brookline and anyone that surrounds it.  It is opened to new practitioners and those who are more advanced.  They encourage people who are looking for a new or different way to control their stress to try a class.  They also serve to the needs of people and understand people are busy and have other obligations in life such as work and children.  They allow classes for kids so that it will give that parent the opportunity to take a class of their own. 

            The yoga practice at Coolidge Corner is influenced by today’s society and what I mean by that is how we think we need to dress to participate in a yoga class.  It is not just about yoga but it is about the business itself.  I feel that the culture here is about the clothes you are supposed to wear.  Automatically when people sign up for a yoga class that means they have to buy and wear yoga pants.  It should not be about what we wear and, “oh I need to buy yoga mat because I am taking a yoga class.”  When you go onto their website it even has a section on what to wear which automatically influences a person because maybe that person does not feel comfortable wearing yoga pants or spandex type of tight clothing.  Yoga should not be about the clothing but about the practice itself.  A lot of times I think our culture here is about competition and how we compare ourselves to others and need to be the best and that you have to be as good as that person next to you.  I was very comfortable in the class and did wear comfortable yoga clothing so that I could move and stretch to do the poses. If I could not do a pose I did not feel obligated to do it. The atmosphere was one that I could actually just focus on myself. It is a judge free zone.

            Another thing I felt about this studio and about any studio is that it is run as a business to make a profit.  I walked in asking for any brochures and the girl said they did not have any but instead she gave me their business card and a small flyer saying “New Members 30 Days for $30”.  With its recent one year anniversary in business, I believe that there is a lot of advertisement supporting it and felt it was the best place to choose.  I know when I am new to a place and new to the experience I like to find things with some information more about the yoga rather than just looking at what classes to sign up for.  When you walk into the building they sell yoga clothes and mats as part of the business.  If you forgot a mat you had the choice of buying a new one or you can borrow one for two dollars. Yoga clothing is a huge business today and it has had a negative affect on the sale of denim and jeans in America.  People are wearing comfortable yoga pants to work, to grocery shop, and out to dinner with friends.  Yoga has the ability to change how we feel, how we eat, how we dress and what we can accomplish. It is a well positioned business with many opportunities to profit.  Classes are very expensive and therefore will attract a certain clientele in a certain income level. One drop in class cost $16 with other options up to a $1000 yearly membership.  How are they able to compete in the exercise industry with local gyms such as Planet Fitness where you can go for unlimited visits at $10 a month or Gold’s Gyms have $20-$30 a month unlimited access to equipment and classes including yoga, Pilates and more. Coolidge Corner Yoga offers a variety of yoga classes to bring in different ages to get a bigger client list but if the classes were more affordable would more people enroll in yoga?

I believe the culture of yoga in America is about the clothing and about running a business rather then focusing on the actual practice of yoga, where in other countries people practice yoga for hours everyday while in America we pay to take a class once a week or do it just to try it out. I believe we cheapen and misuse the foreign culture of what yoga is actually about.  For example, yoga is marketed as and offers instant spiritual enlightenment where again in other countries these people practice just one pose for three hours and have to train for years for meditation.  In some other global countries, men practice meditation and yoga yet here in America, it is mostly women that seek out yoga.  On the website it gives you a list of the instructors and a majority of them are women.  In my class there were a few men but mostly women. 

Yoga is more commercialized here in America.  In other countries meditation/yoga are ways of life where here it is more about taking a class for fun or to get some exercise.  On the website they have a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram links that you can follow.   When I entered the studio for class the lights were off and dimmed with candles and had music playing in the background.  To me, I feel because I have never experienced a class at this studio I just assume that is how all the rooms are supposed to look and be like.  I think we also look at yoga as mental therapy and a physical exercise for stretching and strengthening our bodies. Other places do it because it is their culture and a serious part of their life.  At the Coolidge studio it felt like a small session of therapy trying to better myself.  Also the Gentle yoga was not about mastering the pose/stretch unlike some other cultures.  I do feel that with continued practice and patience you can strive to master poses.

            The Gentle Yoga class I took was different then what I first thought it would be. I came in thinking we are just going to do the typical series of poses for example child’s pose but it was a completely different style of yoga.  I felt that the stretches went deeper then “I am doing this pose” and more about the feeling when you are doing the certain stretch.  It was more of how I felt emotionally and how I felt after the class.  It made me feel less stressed and relaxed but also increasing my energy and bettering myself.  I was more focused on taking the time to slow down my mind and dig deeper into the meaning of doing the stretch and how it was making me feel at that exact moment. I hope to make meditation and yoga a part of my daily activity as a way to let go of anxieties, relieve stress, and be more energized and balanced.

           

Taken by Megan Whitney

References

"Home | Coolidge Corner Yoga." Home | Coolidge Corner Yoga. Coolidge Corner Yoga,

LLC, n.d. Web. <http://coolidgeyoga.com/>.

"New Yoga Studio in the Heart of Brookline Offers Classes for Every Age and Ability."

New Yoga Studio in the Heart of Brookline Offers Classes for Every Age and

Ability. PRWeb, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

<http://www.prweb.com/releases/coolidgecorner/yoga/prweb11110465.htm>.

Tripp, Megan. "Coolidge Corner Yoga Opening This Weekend." Boston Magazine.

Boston Magazine, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. <http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/09/26/coolidge-corner-yoga-opening-weekend/>.

I started this project in hopes of finding a studio that meets my ideals as a student that strikes the right balance between successful business and upholding yogic principles, and to experience a different style of yoga.  After looking around a bit, Down Under Yoga seemed to fit the bill. Down Under is a self-proclaimed School of Yoga with locations in Newton and Brookline.  The studios themselves are fairly new, but the core team of teachers and management are practitioners who've been delivering yoga to Boston, the US, and abroad for many years.  I chose this venue for several reasons.  Since moving to Boston in May, I've been asking almost anyone I see with a yoga mat where they practice and why.  Down Under's name was mentioned many times and usually associated with explanations that I identify with as far as what I'm looking for in a studio.  Despite being in the market, I hadn't made it over to try a class yet, so this midterm seemed like the perfect opportunity.  When we got our midterm assignments however, I started second guessing my choice and feeling like I wanted to try something more exotic than just another yoga studio.  It didn't take much digging to realize that Down Under could be more than just another yoga studio.  Down Under is home to many big-name teachers in the U.S. who apparently banded together to take the business of yoga into their own hands.  I was very interested to find out what that means in theory and experience it in practice.  Finally, one of the big names who calls Down Under home is Patricia Walden.  Walden is one of the foremost Iyengar style teachers in the United States.  Since completing my own Yoga Teacher Training, I've wanted to study Iyengar in an effort to fill what I feel are gaps in my knowledge of alignment and back-to-basics yoga.   

            So what am I looking for in a studio and why?  My earliest yoga experiences were taking classes with my mom in our small home town.  Our teacher was excellent (especially considering the location) and trained primarily in Anusara.  Despite Anusara's current reputation, I got spoiled by the style of her classes.  She always began with a short reading from whatever she was currently studying related to yoga, she then used that information as a theme for class and encouraged us to form intentions that integrated the material for us.  This was my first introduction into yogic philosophy and my earliest whisperings of spirituality.  This is also what first encouraged me to begin taking yoga "off the mat."  It's become important for me that at least some philosophy is used to contextualize the physical work.  B.K.S. Iyengar explains that "we must bring our philosophy into day-to-day life, so that life with its hardships and joys can be informed by philosophy...that is practical philosophy" (9).  I am looking for a studio that supports and exemplifies that practical philosophy.  It's actually hard to find.  Thus far in my experience, groups that really focus on philosophy and/or spirituality have this lofty, exclusive air that doesn't fit into "real life."  Conversely, many studios focus so entirely on the physical practice that I feel I may as well go to the gym.  I realize, reading back over those sentences that I made a leap from teacher to studio.  So much of a student's experience and learning in a yoga class depends on the teacher and much less on the studio as a whole.  That being said, I was extra excited to start reading about Down Under and find out it was founded by teachers steeped in lineage, promoting practical philosophy, and sharing in ideals.  Under the "About Us" tab on the Down Under website there is a good read about the philosophy of the studio and its teachers.  One of the highlights is "As students and teachers of yoga, we are the stewards of this ancient practice, so the way we act off the mat is as important as what we do on it" (np).  If this statement only related to how the core faculty believed they should conduct themselves as individuals, it would've been enough to send me running to class.  But as I read on and continued to research Down Under's role in the Boston and Yoga communities, it became clear that this simple philosophy extends into how they conduct the business of yoga. 

            The business of yoga is something that has interested me since before looking at it critically for this class.  Many could argue that turning Yoga into business is the root of its massive transformation and commercialization over recent years.  Indeed, long trusted yoga providers are changing their business practice tune from "Yogic" to aggressively capitalist.  An example, as sited in an article on the topic from Boston.com, is the Yoga Journal.  Originally a magazine touting "the higher values of yoga: spiritual integration, compassion and selfless service," the current editor describes the magazine and it's readers as "a commercial venture. . . . We are Americans and one thing Americans do is shop and like nice things. And one of the ways we identify ourselves is having a certain look. The yoga industry does support our desire to create self-identity through what we wear or what we purchase" (np).  I was honesty shocked by this statement.  It is so brazen!  Shouldn't they at least be pretending to be yogic?  They must be making enough money at this point not to bother.  To me, this kind of attitude in other practitioners, studios, and now major Yoga publications is cause for major concern.  This is also the "yoga" that is making it into media and so what many people first experience.  It is no wonder that large successful studios seem to operate with this attitude and sell all kinds of products that promote it.  This is exactly the kind of thing that I don't want in a studio, and something I feared would be pervasive at Down Under.  I feared this before doing my research because surely a place with almost every teacher on staff having graced the cover of Yoga Journal in the past ten years would be extremely expensive and filled with cute blonde butts (not that mine doesn't qualify) in designer yoga wear.  Surely big American yogis and yoginis would be behind this new and powerful yoga machine.  In the case of Down Under (it seems), not so. 

            As I continued my research I came across a quote from Justine Wiltshire Cohen, Down Under founder, about the business of yoga at her studio "“We believe that yoga studios should act in ways that are consistent with the teachings of yoga.  We will never sell plastic water bottles that go into landfills [because ahimsa means ‘do no harm’]. We will never sell $150 yoga pants [because aparigraha means ‘identifying greed’]. We will never accept offers from companies to promote their gear in exchange for free publicity or products (because satya means “truthfulness’’). We will never brand, trademark, or pretend we’ve made up a new style of yoga...The minute yoga is packaged and branded, you’ve lost it’’ (Boston.com, np).  I'm thrilled by this statement and at this point was totally sold on Down Under being my location for this project.  This quote is a few years old and I was anxious to see if they were still walking their talk.

            I went to the Brookline studio for a Monday night class with Iyengar teacher Jarvis Chen.  I prepaid online and was pleasantly surprised by the low-average $16 drop in fee.  The Brookline studio is fairly unassuming from the outside...and gorgeous as soon as you walk in.  Big windows, sleek wood floors, narrow, artsy benches, and a formidable front desk greet you along with Theresa (the manager) and a spritely assistant in hot pink leggings.  Theresa is middle aged, professional, and welcoming.  The assistant was my age, had some yogi name she probably made up, and a little too nice.  This juxtaposition was a little confusing at first and left me unsure what to expect next.  What came next was practically concierge service! My coat was hung, a locker provided, and pleasant directions for my studio experience.  Everything is complimentary, a rarity in big, nice studios these days.  My class was in the "Earth" studio (downstairs).  You walk down the staircase facing an impressive, one story high, live bamboo forest.  The props are outside the studio and beautifully organized.  Everything is simple, elegant, and in it's place.  I walked into the class (Level 1) to find a surprisingly diverse group setting up their mats.  Ages ranged from early twenties to I'd guess 70's.  Everyone was dressed fairly modestly (for a yoga class) and in anything from a t-shirt as old as me to the full Athleta get-up.  An assistant was circling the room ensuring everyone had sufficient props and there was plenty of space in the room despite 20+ students. 

            When Jarvis entered the room I was shocked! He's...well, rather fat!  Not to mention wearing alarmingly small shorts. I'd read his bio which helped me decide on his class for this project.  He's a well known and sought-after Iyengar teacher who's worked closely with Patricia Walden for many years.  He is also a researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health.  How can this person be fat?!  I quickly recognized that I had to let go of this hang up to fully appreciate his class...though I'm still a little baffled.  This class was my first Iyengar experience.  I chose that style because I'm very interested in learning alignment, modifications, and the fundamentals of asana.  Jarvis's class definitely delivered.  We started with brief centering breath work (though not specific pranayama).  The class centered on opening the groin in preparation for Warrior II.  There were no sun salutes or major "warming" exercises.  We moved through seemingly disjointed poses greatly supported by the use of props until ending up at the wall for Warrior II.  In working that culminating pose, everything came together.  I've done Vira II thousands of times, but never like that.  This is exactly what I'm looking for from an Iyengar class.  I want it to take every pose I think I 'know' and turn it inside out and upside down for me from the bottom up.  I had more "aha" moments in that hour than I have in the last 6 months of my own practice.  I was also very impressed by Jarvis's ability to lead the class and simultaneously give individual correction.  Even without the help of his assistant I'm quite certain he provided everyone in the room with at least one personal correction.  He also worked closely with several students who were obviously his regulars, yet I never felt neglected or excluded.  We finished class with a brief Savasana and no meditation.  I definitely missed the philosophical/ spiritual guidance I look for in classes, but the depth of knowledge provided for the Asana alone is sufficient for me.  Jarvis also stayed after class answering questions and continuing to help students individually. 

            Before leaving, I spent time reading the "Wall of Fame" where famous publications featuring faculty and the studio hang in glossy frames.  Sure enough, not a single piece of merchandise is on sale in the lobby, nor is there a single piece of promotional material.  I also talked extensively with Theresa about their pricing, class packages, and student discounts.  Afterwards I did some research comparing Down Under's pricing with other local studios; they are comparable if not less expensive.  I will be dropping $30 for 30 days of unlimited yoga before probably forking over the monthly student rate.  Between the faculty, three different styles of yoga, philosophy discussion groups, continuing ed trainings,  and community outreach work this studio does I feel like it may be what I've been looking for.  B.K.S. Iyengar says that "Yoga is firstly for individual growth, but through individual growth, society and community can develop" (9).  It is encouraging to have found a studio through this project that (at least on first impression) can facilitate my individual growth through the study of yoga while upholding yogic ideals for building a community through their business. 

 References

http://downunderyoga.com/

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/09/19/yogis-unite-open-new-studio-brookline/

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2010/10/14/down_under_yoga_instructors_try_to_steer_students_away_from_commercialism_and_other_distractions/?page=1

Iyengar, B., & Moore, D. (1989). The tree of yoga: Yoga vṛkṣa. Boston: Shambhala.

AG Abrams visits the 02 Vegan Cafe and Yoga Parlor

A.G. Abrams

Yoga Midterm Paper

The eventual selection of the O2 Vegan Cafe and Yoga Parlor as the location for my midterm paper was the result of thinking about all the locations I had seen before in my travels in the area. I completely forgot about Dahn Yoga and Tai Chi Cambridge, between University Hall and Doble campus, which I walk past to get to class. This oversight is one that I regret, but will not focus on, as it is of very little relevance.

Another reason for the specific selection of O2 is that they advertise explicitly that their yoga is physically challenging, which was interesting to me, as not many Yoga studios do.  I knew that I wanted a class that would challenge me physically, as I am more interested in the yoga techniques for improvement of the body than I am in the strictly mental, as I meditate regularly, and do not practice any postural yoga except in class at Lesley.

The O2 is painted bright colors, and has Art Nouveau tables and chairs, and is very much a cafe. The general atmosphere, when one walks in, is that of a cafe with yoga in the back. This is not an entirely new concept to me, as I have worked in many bike stores, which often have repairs and classes in the back, but the juxtaposition bothered me for some reason.  Between the two sections is a landing crowded by comfortable furniture and clothing displays.

Signing up for the class was very simple. I simply asked at the front counter where to do it, and the answer was that they run all transactions through the same counter. The lowest-commitment deal was $20 for two classes if it was the first time taking a class at the cafe. I took that deal and registered for a Friday morning class two weeks in a row. The person I signed up with, Mimi, was the general manager of the cafe and also an instructor, though she was not my instructor. Clothing is also bought at the front counter.

I find it’s interesting that Yoga has become a service to be bought, as any other class or course, to be paid for and taken at a venue not dedicated to it. Like a supermarket has a wine-tasting event, a vegan cafe has a yoga class. On the first class, mat rental is free, but for every subsequent class, it is not, and all participants must use a mat. In this way, they sell the most single-purpose of all their activity-specific merchandise.

The class itself was not as intense as I was led to believe, but I enjoyed it all the same. The store has a strict policy for clothing, and clothing is regulated. It must not be baggy, it must not be skimpy. Everyone followed the rules, and I was pretty at home in athletic shorts and a t-shirt. Everyone was very friendly, but some people were more bothered than others when I asked questions, which is either an indication that they are more private, or are an insulated community, or that I am an annoying person. The teacher, Elliot, told me nothing of his background except that he studied in Los Angeles, but nodded knowingly when I told him I was there for a school project.

The culture of the cafe was very capitalist. The yoga practice, traditionally, promotes well-being, and so does an all-vegan diet. Therefore, by putting both in the same location, O2 has cornered a market. The establishment has regulars both in front and in back, and there is tremendous overlap. After the class I went to, I spoke to the instructor, and when I emerged, I found most of my classmates eating or in line for food or drinks. Naturally, wanting to have the full O2 experience, I joined them, and ate my first-ever carrot muffin. A vegan diet isn’t for me, but the fact that health food and physical health-focused yoga are provided in the same location reminds me of the playgrounds at McDonald’s. They create a demand for one thing while satisfying a need for another. Unlike McDonald’s, they are selling expensive, specialized products, with which they hope to create a long-lasting good impression, rather than a short ecstatic reaction followed by guilt. The capitalist nature of the economy is demonstrated very well, and the business model is excellent.