Archive for April, 2010
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The Space Above Yoga Studio – Friend of WeDrink
By: Mira Boykin
The thing about life is, it’s pretty busy. Pretty often. It seems like I’m continually trying to find ways to slow down, get still and remain present. That is, in fact, what drove me toward developing a yoga practice in the first place. The funny thing is, yoga is not immune to this “busy-ness” and this pace that our culture seems so accustomed to. Even yoga can be injected with our goals and results and our five steps ahead thinking. Unless we (including me) consciously make space to free ourselves, we might always be clinging to our ends, and completely forget the beauty of our process.
The Space Above is, in essence, a space that truly does embody the quiet appreciation for each moment, for each style of yoga practice, each varying different kind of bodywork and every kind of body, personality and style. An especially sweet space, it is continually opening itself up and giving back to its community. Each month, the studio owners, Kim Austin-Peterman and Lisa Meer-Lewis, create programming that attaches itself to some local charity or purpose, in an effort to further demonstrate: Yes, we’re all trying to feel good. Even those of us who can’t or don’t make it into this space, specifically. With their long, flexible and gracious arms, the studio owners, it’s teachers and their many bodyworkers, continue to embrace their student’s both on and off their mat, through their support of local artistry and musicianship and their constant one on one interaction with their practitioners.
Certainly, what they best demonstrate and communicate, in their open space is that yoga practices are changing, just like seasons and attitudes. Sometimes, we’re flowing and going, moving and needing to collect energy along the way. Other times, we’re seeking solace, stillness and momentary reminders that we are enough just because? We are enough. In grounding classes like Bliss and Restorative, students can begin a practice of quiet, slow and gentle movement. In vinyasa, flow and multi classes, students can develop into more intermediate and advanced practitioners. In participating in one of their workshops, students can certainly learn new concepts to take to their mats, but they can also contribute to their world, to their region and support efforts like The Norfolk SPCA, Dress for Success, The American Red Cross, and more.
The best thing about slowing life down a bit and really inhabiting the space of our lives is that we remember to connect again. To connect to our community, to ourselves, to our teachers and to the quiet observer inside us, that begged us to find yoga in the first place. I’m so eternally grateful to have a physical space in Norfolk, my home town, to go to for such connection.
Check out all that’s filling The Space Above.
Also…meet the souls that make the space happen or check us out on facebook.
