On a rainy Vancouver evening, there is no better space to be in than a hot yoga studio. Offering a warm space focused on relaxation and self-connection, the phenomenon has been adopted by more than just Vancouver’s counterculture. Today, these workout classes have become so popular that Vancouver is often referred to as the yoga capital of Canada.
The pandemic proposed an unexpected challenge to Vancouver’s yoga communities. Local studios had to be flexible and find unconventional ways to keep the community connected. Taking what we’ve learned as studios have reopened, the way yogis practice in Vancouver has now become stronger than ever.
Whether you’re a part of the movement or are curious to try, here are three reasons why the time is now to practice yoga in Vancouver.
yoga in unconventional spaces. Traditional indoor studios aren’t the only spaces to find a flow in anymore. This was amplified over the last few years, when studios briefly closed. Now outdoor classes are frequently offered across Vancouver, embracing the city’s natural beauty in spaces including the North Shore’s Lonsdale Pier or False Creek’s Concord Park. Makeshift at-home studios have also become popular, connecting the community virtually through live streams or YouTube videos. These alternative “studios” offer those attending class a new sense of confidence, providing the opportunity to try yoga from the comfort of our own homes or local parks.
mental relaxation. The popularity of practising in unconventional spaces shows we can experience yoga’s benefits anytime and anywhere. Much of the practice is rooted in conscious breath and posture, which can be done at a desk or SkyTrain station. This realization emphasises the mental benefits which yoga can provide. As our lives are once again busy following the pandemic, practising basic mindfulness teachings has become particularly important.
vital connection. While our social lives were put on hold, many of us spent years looking inwards. Yoga is a space which invites the same self-reflection. Each practice offers time to mentally check-in, let something go and be in the moment. As studios have reopened following the pandemic, many feel a refreshed appreciation for practising in-person. Once again, we can get together on a cold and grey day, breathing in unison and reconnecting with Vancouver’s strong yoga communities.
Whether your yoga preference is from the studio, home office or park, its evolution over the years has only proved that the practice is for anyone who is open to experiencing the benefits of yoga. With more class options and reasons to find mental relaxation than ever before, yoga is here to Nama-stay in Vancouver. —Julia Dumbrell
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