In a peaceful setting overlooking a large aspen tree and Lake Tahoe you will find The Yoga Space at The Cobblestone in Tahoe City. The space is an inviting bit of serenity in the middle of the bustle of town. It has high ceilings, dark wood floors and soft lighting with views of the Tahoe City Golf course in one direction and Lake Tahoe in the other. The Yoga Space currently has nine instructors with a diverse set of backgrounds in Vinyasa, Anusara, Kripalu, Iyengar, and Hatha Sivanada styles who present classes three times a day, seven days a week.
The Yoga Space is supported by a loyal group of local yoga students as well as drop-in business from second-home owners and visitors. Jens Legallet from Tahoe City says, ‘As a beginner the teachers made me feel comfortable right away. I felt like no matter what your skill level they will take good care of you.’ Another local student, Gina Holmes, says, ‘the combination of great teachers, and a very serene space is what got me hooked on yoga. It is also a great place to meet other people in the community.’ This community feeling, a place for Tahoe folks to spend time together doing something healthy is one of the reasons the studio was established.
The Yoga Space was founded two years ago by Julie Ness and Lynne Gardner. Gardner is a lifelong Tahoe resident and active yoga instructor for more than 10 years. Ness was instrumental in getting the business off the ground, but recently moved to the Bay Area and sold out her interest in The Yoga Space to Sukhjit Singh Johal, who goes by Serj. Johal is from India (the birthplace of Yoga) and moved to the United States in 1994 and to Reno in 1996. He now lives in Crystal Bay.
‘I had been looking to open a business for a long time. First, I wanted to open a café or a bar, but while doing research I saw the Yoga Space was for sale. This was the opportunity to further develop my passion for yoga,’ says Johal. ‘I have been practicing yoga for 10 years now. Ironically, being from India, I did not experiment with yoga there, but instead began my practice in America.’
Johal is a student at University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in Social Work. ‘Assisting people is unquestionably ingrained in my personality. The practice of Yoga helps the individual connect to himself/herself and with the environment. It should also aid its practitioners in making healthier decisions in life.’ Johal is excited about the health and environmental consciousness of the Tahoe area community and its yogis.
‘I have deeply enjoyed working with the yoga teachers here at the school, all are different in their practices of Yoga and in their personalities, but with a unique purpose in mind: to help the community get in touch with a higher self,’ says Johal. Aside from a full schedule of classes in the various styles there are also Mom and Baby Yoga classes and Meditation classes. A Power Lunch class benefits those who have limited time to take a break during their day, and a Non-Profit Yoga class donates all its proceeds to local nonprofit organizations. Currently donations support the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe.
In the future The Yoga Space plans on selling several different lines of yoga clothing. In addition, Johal’s girlfriend Adriana, who is from Colombia, will be bringing in jewelry to sell from her native country as well as from India. They also plan on holding Yoga on the Beach courses and Yoga-Backpacking workshops in the summer and fall. This winter the Yoga Space will once again co-present several Yoga-Ski Workshops with Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area. Tai Chi, Pilates, and dancing classes (belly and Latin American) will also be forthcoming.
The Yoga Space is located in The Cobblestone Center in Tahoe City. yogaspacetahoe.com, 530-581-1933
~ Tim Hauserman practices yoga on a regular, but not regular enough, basis.
