What’s in a Name?
When I finally decided I was in a place able to open and maintain a yoga studio, I pulled out my computer and frantically started writing out my business plan. That was the easy part. I had been inspired by many mentors in my teaching experience, and I knew exactly how I wanted my own studio to operate and function. I had been dreaming of this opportunity for years, and my experience as a teacher led me to understand parts and pieces of a studio that, in my opinion, would create success. I breezed through the business plan deciding when to hold classes, how to offer special events, collaboration ideas, pricing options, recruiting teachers…. everything business related was typed out in a six-page document ready for my husband/business guru to edit and approve. “But, what are you going to name it?” Um what? What am I going to what? Name it? Yikes. What am I going to name it!?
Never in a million years did I think it would be difficult to name a yoga studio. I mean, I have experience naming things. In my lifetime, I’ve named three beautiful children, a dog, and a cat! I can do this, right? Turns out, it was much harder than I had anticipated. I spent days and many restless nights, writing down and saying different studio name ideas out loud. Every idea exited from my mouth and instantly I thought NOPE! I was looking for something inviting, welcoming, inclusive, and safe… which is exactly the environment I strive to create inside the four walls of this space. I googled. I talked with friends. I asked other studio owners. I wrote. I brainstormed. Suddenly, it clicked. The Yoga Haven. That’s it!! The Yoga Haven.
But, why? Why did I come to the conclusion that The Yoga Haven was the most perfect name for the studio I was building in this community? What does it mean and why is it so dear to my heart? The only word rolling through my brain over and over again as I brainstormed was “safety.” I want people to feel safe. As a trauma therapist, I find myself constantly mindful on how others feel - the introverts, the extroverts, and everyone in between. Sometimes closing the eyes or putting the body in the hands of another human being to guide you can be incredibly terrifying. As a yoga teacher, I’m essentially asking you to explore your body in ways you might not have moved it before. I’m also asking for you to dive into a vulnerable space in the mind with sometimes challenging messages. That’s terrifying! So, how do I encourage other people to do such vulnerable practices without having them feel defeat, judgment, or shame?
The Yoga Haven, that’s how. You might not know me before you walk into the studio, and you might not know the other students or even the other teachers. But what you will know upon seeing the name of the studio is that we are a safe space. Ha·ven /ˈhāv(ə)n/ - a place of safety or refuge. Every single time, every single class, we do our best to make you feel welcome; but most importantly, we want you to feel safe. We want you to feel secure. We want you to feel challenged. We want you to feel empowered. We want you to feel whatever emotion serves you each and every time your feet cross the threshold into the studio.
Obviously my social work background comes into play here. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Do you know what I’m talking about? At the peak of the pyramid lies “self-actualization,” which are the people that are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested in fulfilling their potential. But, here’s the thing… you can’t actually achieve self-actualization if you don’t have the base of the foundation beneath you. And what’s just above physiological needs such as food, air, and water? You guessed it! Safety and security. There’s no way to achieve your highest potential if you don’t feel safe.
So, as my wonderful husband always reminds me as I rambling on with my “therapist talk,” LONG STORY, LONG.… I strive to create an environment for individuals to journey to and through personal growth. I strive to create a home for people to travel through fulfilling their highest potential; whether that is forward, backwards, sideways, or any twists and turns to find the way. I guess for me, it’s all starts with a name. If you’re sitting on the other end of whatever technological device in which you are reading this wondering if you should just try the yoga. Yes, yes indeed you should. Come to The Yoga Haven and try all of the yoga. Start with our free community class on Saturdays at 9am. Doesn’t cost a thing, and what could it hurt? If you don’t like it, if you don’t feel safe, if you don’t feel like it’s your jam… that’s ok, too. But, we are here… always welcoming to meet you… just where you are!
