Looking for a yoga studio that honours the environment? This is part one of a two part article on how to create a green yoga practice, that was inspired by and written with Mojgan from Newport Yoga in Port Moody, B.C.

Energy Source/Lighting

Natural light is the best source, of course. If that is not possible, use low-watt energy saving light bulbs. When it comes to yoga though, candles not only add warmth and light the room, but they can also facilitate meditation; try using bees-wax soy rather than petroleum candles. Even though energy sources may not be under your control, if you can, weigh all the options before you make a decision.

Turn down, not off, the heat when the studio is not being used. No point in heating up an empty space. This will also save you money.

Flooring

When it comes to flooring there are many alternative options to hardwood, which are durable, and require less time and energy to clean and maintain. One option is cork – it is soft to the touch providing extra cushioning when you are on your knees allowing you to go deeper into your poses. It also doesn’t reach the low tempratures of other flooring options, so it is comfortable to walk on barefoot. Cork flooring is one of the most eco-friendly floorings available, as “the harvesting of cork is performed in 9 year cycles and all of the harvesting is done completely by hand, ensuring that the cork oak tree will be treated with the utmost care and for this reason the bark of the cork oak tree will grow back” according to Floor Build Direct as cited in brighthub.com.

Alternately, why not use renewable resources such as bamboo. Not only does it have hardwood qualities, but it also will add that zen feeling to your studio.

At the end of the day whether you go with the options above, linoleum, or hardwood, you can still contribute to an eco-friendly flooring by how you maintain and clean your studio space. Use non-toxic cleaners, and sweep instead of vacuuming.

Wall Coverings

Why not allow local artists to display their art on your wall? Not only will you be supporting your local artist community, but you’ll also provide interesting and maybe thought provoking ideas and images for your yogis to look at as they are working hard to keep that chair pose. Mojgan, from Newport Yoga finds it also helps during savasana because she have something to focus my mind on.

Newport Yoga Studio

Marketing/Advertising

There are still people who need a paper copy of your schedule and that’s fine. Just print a few at a time and replace them as necessary. Put your schedule on your website and put a note beside the paper schedule to let people know of the option before they take the paper copy. When a new schedule is being posted, email it to all the yogis who have attended in the past year (with an opt out, of course) and encourage them to use it or the one on your site rather than printing it out. If you can control the content of your home page, each morning put that day’s schedule up front and centre so people can quickly see what is happening today. This is also a great place to announce changes and may free up some phone time.

Advertise in non-paper based locations such as online communities and directories. Also implement a referral program. Even if you think you can’t afford it: re-evaluate. If the average clients spends $100.00 per month on yoga or $1200 over one year, and each clients stays an average of five years then each referral is worth $1200 * 5 or $6000.00. That should be worth a free month when one of your loyal yogis brings a friend who signs up for a year and will probably stay as a client for 5 years.

If you are using paper, make good paper choices such as 100% post consumer where possible. So long as you print as little as possible and use the best paper choice available, I say… Job well done!

Stay tuned for part II.

Tags: environmentally-friendly businesses, yoga

This entry was posted on Monday, December 15th, 2008 at 11:54 am and is filed under Health & Wellness, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.