Before I moved to Vermont, I taught yoga in several studios and in some corporate sites. Over the years I noticed a few things….. First I noticed the lovely yoga students in the room. Many students came to my class in an attempt to use yoga to help them heal from an injury, ironically sometimes an injury sustained while doing a vigorous form of yoga! More importantly, I noticed who was NOT in the room. Rarely were there students who did not at least approximate the image of the American yoga student as popularized by social media – young, slender, groomed, muscular (or trying to be) and dressed in fashionable yoga attire. I kept thinking about all the others who would benefit from yoga but did not come to classes – older people, the less physically able, those who might not feel they are “flexible enough,” those who have been shamed for their size or shape, and those whose budget did not allow for the ever increasing price of a studio class. Yoga is a healing practice, yet many who could benefit from it were not taking advantage of the opportunity. That bothered me!

Another thing that concerned me was that the predominant American yoga teaching methods focused on encouraging students to mold their bodies to achieve “ideal” yoga poses (asanas). Students who could not contort their bodies into the “right” position, who couldn’t balance their body weight on their arms (or head), or move quickly through a series of asanas were doing things “wrong” and were often corrected, sometimes by a yoga teacher literally pushing their student’s body into the desired posture. I felt that some of these practices were not helpful, maybe they were even hurtful. No wonder many people went once or twice to a yoga class and never went back! No wonder so many people say “I can’t do yoga!”

It also seemed that the physical attributes of many studios were not compatible with mindful yoga practice. Smoke from burning incense or candles, often considered necessary for the “mood,” made for burning eyes and irritated throats. Carpets made it difficult for students to hold poses, especially balance poses. Many studios were in busy areas where noise from trucks, cars and motorcycles made it hard to focus. Teaching and taking yoga classes led me from studio to studio. I met many dedicated teachers, and some wonderfully expert ones, yet I never found a yoga studio that fit into my comfort zone.

I mulled over many questions as I explored the American yoga experience:

· Would it be possible to create a studio where people of all ages, sizes, shapes and fitness levels could feel welcome? Where everyone would feel accepted? Where everybody and every body could benefit from the magic of yoga?

· How would it look to have a studio that focused on the healing and sustaining attributes of yoga more than on the physical fitness aspects?

· Could a place be developed where everyone would feel comfortable coming to class to learn meditation, yoga breathwork, and yes, those asanas? Where it is OK not to get that “perfect” posture?

· Was it possible to find a place where the serenity of yoga was supported by a quiet peaceful space?

· And lastly, how can I use the knowledge and experience gained through years of working and teaching in the medical and nursing fields, to help people feel better and live well with yoga.

I pondered these issues for many years and then I got a chance to move to Vermont and to realize my dream. At Valley Soul Yoga Studio, the philosophy and goal is to offer gentle yoga and related practices to anyone who wants to join in, especially those who do not feel comfortable in other yoga studios. Through compassionate, gentle instruction, teachers at Valley Soul Yoga Studio help students to move towards their personal goals, focusing on supporting what each student can do. Classes are small by design, so the teachers can focus on the individual student and help them adapt yoga to their needs and abilities – to give each student the best experience they can. The studio is light, airy, and away from traffic and other noises so students feel peace and are not distracted. The “AHHH moment” is palpable when a student enters the studio.

Each time I walk into the studio I see new possibilities for the students who choose to practice with us. New students are always welcome! Every time a new student comes to class, I wonder what yoga can do to enrich that person’s life. And every student who practices yoga at Valley Soul Yoga brightens my day in some way and I am so thankful for each and every one of you!

A note on the purpose of this blog: Now that I’ve introduced the studio and its philosophy, I’ll send out a blog now and then to help yoga students to learn more about “all things yoga.” I’m happy to hear your thoughts as we travel on this journey together!

Namaste!

Claire Lindberg, PhD, RN, RYT 500, RPYT