I went to a yoga class tonight. There were candles and incense were burning on a bookshelf. Indian music was playing softly in the background. Fruity water in jam jars were sat at the reception desk. Above the door were the hand-painted words 'Namaste'.
It wasn't in a dusty church hall or a local gym - it was an actual yoga studio. As a yogi who is constantly on the hunt for new classes, trust me places like this are so rare. Yes, in London there are plenty and each class costs £15 a pop - but elsewhere in the world?
So, what exactly makes a good yoga studio?
Firstly, it can't be a gym . Gyms aren't relaxing. You can always hear the pumping music from next doors aerobics class through the walls when you are in savasana.
Next, you need good ambience. Music, candles, incense, dim lights - all of these add to the relaxing atmosphere.
Details are really important. I once went to a hot yoga class at Moksha Yoga in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the studio had paid attention to all the little things you never think about.
There were cubby holes to stash your shoes near the door. In the toilets, there were cotton pads to wipe off your smeared mascara and a pot of hairbands in case you'd forgotten yours.
Yoga studios are important because they change the way you feel about yoga. It makes you feel like it's not just been squeezed in as an exercise class into the corner of a gym. It's more than that - and it deserves to have it's own space.
Photos by Furniture Home Design and Berries & Passion