11.12.2009

Studio to Studio: Yoga-Inspired Design

Today's guest blogger is Elizabeth Houston, Project Designer.

Our third space competition earlier this year got me thinking about my own favorite third space...my yoga studio. Ask any of my family, friends, or even co-workers where you might find me at any given point, and odds are that I'm at the studio. I've been an on and off yoga practitioner for years, but it wasn't until this past year that I fell head-over-heels into the world of yoga - and I'm not alone in this trend. Maybe it's a result of the stress brought on by the current economy, or perhaps the health and fitness benefits are finally catching on, but for whatever reason more people than ever are turning to yoga. Despite down markets in almost every industry, the fitness world - specifically yoga - is growing in leaps and bounds. In 2008, Americans spent $5.7 billion on yoga products, equipment, and clothing - 87% more than they did in 2004, according to a study from Yoga Journal. In addition, nearly 14 million Americans say a doctor or therapist has recommended yoga to them. Amid a recession, are we getting more in tune with our inner spirit? It seems that American priorities have shifted and people are finding more value in personal health and wellbeing.

After years of enjoying the benefits of yoga as a student, this past spring I decided to take the plunge and become a certified instructor. Now I spend even more time in the studio, often introducing the practice to complete beginners - some of whom find themselves a little intimidated by this new world. One of the most important factors in creating a calming and welcoming environment for practitioners of all levels is the interior environment of the studio.  As a designer, I am extremely aware of how the studio space affects a student's overall experience. As a teacher, it's my desire that each person feel safe and comfortable there, with the ability to be free from all other worries of their daily lives. The yoga studio is a sanctuary, and every ingredient of the space should unobtrusively reinforce this fact.

It is my goal to apply some of the same principles I've learned in my practice to other interior environments. Naturally, a yoga studio should be a haven, but what about other interior spaces? Shouldn't our homes make us feel calm and peaceful? And shouldn't our workplace be safe and clean so that we can work to our fullest potential?

One of the first things a yogi learns is ahimsa, or non-violence. The first of the yamas (moral restraints), ahimsa teaches us to abstain from causing any pain or harm whatsoever to any living creature, either by thought, word, or deed. The application of ahimsa to the built environment can be translated to the use of green building practices and materials. Green has certainly been a buzz word the last few years, but I think the most important aspect of green design is considering all options and keeping the big picture in mind. Let's say you have the opportunity to install new floors made of renewable bamboo sourced from overseas. Would it make more sense to use a locally grown FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified hardwood? Or hundred year old reclaimed barn wood? There isn't always one correct answer to the green question. The most important decision we can make in the attempt to be completely eco-conscious is to fully consider all of our options and realize how our final decision will affect the environment, the project, and the people who will enjoy the end product.

Green living cannot be an 'all or nothing' approach. I like to think of it as a series of important upgrades. It would be great to completely start fresh and make everything perfect with new construction, but that is neither realistic nor healthy. Sometimes small changes are both the easiest and greenest to achieve.  Practices to promote wellbeing and lessen our carbon footprint have been commonly followed in yoga studios for years, many of which are just beginning to catch on in the wider arena. Simple changes like printing on both sides of paper, using biodegradable cleaning products, encouraging the use of refillable water bottles, and using washable plates and glasses rather than disposable ones are easy ways to upgrade sustainability in any environment.

It is also vital to remember that most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, making indoor air quality a very big deal.  This is of course extremely important in yoga class, where the focus is on deep, quality breathing, but no less important in the workplace or at home.  Consider countering the potentially harmful effects of your next renovation with the use of non-toxic low VOC paints.  Paint retailers are now offering competitively-priced, eco-friendly products that come in a wide range of colors - so aesthetics don't have to take a back seat in your decision. 

When sourcing new materials, consider applying the second yama, satya, which means truth. I like to think of this as the honesty of materials. Isn't a real fieldstone so much more interesting than a thin concrete cast stone made to look like the real thing? And a solid monolithic application of naturally gray concrete can be beautiful. Why not let things be what they are? In addition, when considering cost-effectiveness and lowering greenhouse emissions, new material choices have quadrupled over the last few years.  Whether you choose to install a countertop made of recycled paper or glass bottles, the option is up to you, your local resources, and most importantly, your imagination. So be creative about your selections and think outside the box. When in doubt think back to the basics - before builders had the option to source materials from exotic places, what did they use?

As American priorities continue to shift and more emphasis is put on green living, I hope to see the design industry continue to create more environmentally conscious spaces.

When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills. (Chinese proverb)

Namaste.