The design of a room breathes life into it and gives it its own identity. Every room is designed keeping in mind the activity or the purpose for which that room is intended. Small details go a long way in making the room suited for its role. This is not just applicable to residential structures but for all kinds of buildings and rooms. Just like in a residential set up a master bedroom is designed differently from a living room, in a commercial set up like a gym or a yoga studio, the rooms are designed in a specific manner. A yoga room design will take into account the ambiance of the energy, the energy, and vibes it reflects, the acoustics as well the structure of the room. Let’s see what goes into creating a perfect yoga room design.
The floor plan
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A yoga room will have people practicing the asana on the mat and the standard dimensions of a yoga mat fully stretched are approximately 1.70 x 60 meters. Add to this a space of at least 50 cm between each mat and multiply it by the maximum number of people there would be in one session. This would give you the space you need on the floor.
Most of the time, the yoga trainer is on an elevated platform so that even people at the back can see the asana clearly. You need to factor in that space in the plan as well. Along with this, you need to add the space that will be taken up by any racks or shelves in the room for keeping the mats, water bottles, towels, or any other belongings like shoes of the attendees.
The walls
Mounting full-size mirrors on the wall is optional and depends on the choice of the instructor. It is, however, a preferred option as the attendees can see if their posture is accurate while practicing the asana.
Lighting
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The lighting of a room is more often than not a mood builder and enhancer. A good yoga room design involves taking into consideration even the fixtures. For an activity like yoga, natural lighting is always the best and this can be achieved by floor to ceiling glass window panes that let in the morning and evening light. The sunlight should not fall directly on the attendees’ faces and this can be done by adding a slightly tinted film on the glass.
There must also be a provision to drawing the blinds on these glass panels in case the room needs to have minimal light for a relaxing asana. For evening hours, the room must have warm lighting with an option of increasing or decreasing its intensity.
Ventilation
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The foundation of yoga is controlled breathing and this requires the yoga room to be well-ventilated. There must be a provision of cross ventilation when natural air is let inside the room. This can be done during the hours when the room is not in use. The air conditioning of the room must be effective, with the option of adjusting the intensity.
Acoustics
Yoga is practiced best in silence or in the folds of nature, where the only sounds to reach your ears are the chirping of birds. This environment (sound and smell) can be replicated in closed rooms, by incorporating indoor gardens or green enclosures with features like water fountains. Since a yoga room needs a sound system for carrying the voice of the instructor, the acoustics of the room should be such that the voice on the mike is audible in all parts of the room.
Aesthetics
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The idea behind practicing yoga is to let your mind not get distracted as you concentrate on your breathing and the asana. The décor of a yoga room should not be too loud or distracting. Warm materials on the floor like wood flooring and soft wall colors (white is the top pick) help in enhancing the concentration.
Add- ons
If possible and the space permits there must be a provision of a toilet and a dressing room attached to the yoga room.
A good yoga room design incorporates these features to create a sanctuary for anyone seeking to ease off stress through yoga.
