Designing a space for yoga
We approached Adrian James Architects to design a Centre for Yoga in Oxford. The Centre would accommodate a range of yoga classes, as well as offer a space for social gathering, cooking, building friendships and community.
In clarifying our requirements, we were guided by the principles upon which yoga practice is built:
Yoga is connecting
Connecting is fundamental to yoga and is in the meaning of the word. The brief called for a space to come together, cook, and enjoy food, or just a cup of tea after a class. The aim being to build a community bridging the separate disciplines and lineages of yoga, and for experienced teachers to learn from each other. We are already seeing the young shoots of community, particularly at weekend workshops and a free class for Ukrainian refugees, held every Sunday.
The community of teachers is also vital to the sustainability of the venture. The Centre is organised on a not-for-profit basis, to enable teachers to benefit financially from their work in creating a thriving community.
Yoga is skill in action (Bhagavad Gita)
The principle of ‘skill in action’ applies to the building itself as well as the practice. Yoga requires an economy of effort and conservation of resource. The texts show us that mastery is achieved when ‘effort becomes effortless.’ This is achieved in the building through energy conservation, without sacrificing comfort. An MVHR system provides fresh, filtered air at a comfortable temperature allowing the building to capitalise on excellent insulation and airtightness. This all-electric centre also has solar PV and battery storage to stay comfortable on the modest income generated from running classes.
To bring skill in action for users of the space, the studio is exceptionally well equipped, allowing teachers to make postures accessible to those less able, as well as deeply explore the outer reaches of postures for the more experienced! One visitor was not even halfway inside before she said, “This place is amazing, I can feel it already”.
Yoga is the settling of the fluctuations of the consciousness (Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
Despite its Central Oxford location, inside the building is quiet. The MVHR system allows triple-glazed windows to stay closed. It has a steady warmth from high thermal-mass and underfloor heating, together with fresh filtered air. There is an internal simplicity provided by polished concrete and bamboo flooring, painted blockwork and extensive use of birch plywood for the ceilings and fittings. Lighting in the studio is mainly concealed to prevent dazzle. A peaceful enclosed garden sitting area includes a bronze sculpture (Dancing Phoenix, Hugo Powell, 2014), echoing back to the previous use of the site as Hugo Powell’s studio.
The simple, but thoughtful surroundings provide an environment in which users can bring deeper exploration to their practice through breath, mantra, and meditation. The aim for the yoga practitioner is quietness of mind that brings tranquillity and joy, to leave the centre ready to bring skill to the action of their life and work.
James Pritchard
