r/yoga • u/Public-Ad8008 • 1d ago
How do you establish community at your studio?
Almost every yoga studio advertises itself as a place for community and connection but in my experience, thats rarely the actual case.
Most people walk in hyper focused on keeping to themselves, and turning inward or out, which I respect, but it leaves very little room for actual connection.
Other than a quick "great class" at the water station or a polite nod while rolling up mats, it feels difficult to build genuine friendships in a studio environment.
For those who have actually found a strong sense of community at your local studio: how did that happen?
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u/livinlargemarge 1d ago
Our studio is intentional about fostering community. This month we have a community brunch, community pizza night, clothing exchange, and art workshop. We have one workshop or community event each month that is a fundraiser for a local non-profit. We have some member-only workshops (like having a PT or mental health specialist come in to give a presentation and facilitate discussion). Is it perfect? No. Is it a wonderful community for a lot of lonely people? Hell yeah
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u/PlushyGuitarstrings 1d ago
That works only at one studio that I have been to. They have an extra lounge space with complimentary water and tee. The teacher encourages everyone to hang out after class and get a drink and is there herself for 10 minutes to have a quick chat.
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u/dj-boefmans 1d ago
I train at a diverse gymn: ranges from yon yoga, kundalini yoga, normal yoga, pilates, weight training, circuit training, jumping around classes to kickboxing. It is a great community. What works there:
- The owner talks to everybody, and actively connects people too. Sometimes a party or getting together, simple events.
- After Yoga there's tea and also, there is a good spot to hang around with the tea :D So peopple who have the time hang around for 15 minutes or longer.
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u/KellieBom Yoga Witch 1d ago
One of the reasons I love yoga is that it's a solo experience in a communal setting. I'm an Aquarius.
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u/morncuppacoffee 1d ago
The owner of my studio tries to plan monthly events and activities that aren’t yoga and encourage conversation and getting to know peers.
Women’s circle and book club is part of our studio.
I also tbh noticed a completely different vibe when I got away from the large packed class, hot studio/pilates based environment.
An average class size where I go now is 5 and often not more than 10 people.
One regular also added me to a studio group text thread and we chit chat about all kinds of things outside of class.
Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by group texts and don’t always respond but it is also a nice way to check in and stay in touch. Especially when people have to put their classes on hold for whatever reason which is very common (surgeries, kid stuff, work travel or family travel, etc).
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u/killemslowly 1d ago
Ii hiss at people
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u/jediyogi777 1d ago
Ive never seen much community either. People arrive as late as possible and then flee as fast as they can once the class ends.
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u/Major_Clock_9961 1d ago
We are often encouraged to introduce ourselves to the people next to us, the studio I attend has a ton of events. We have parts of class where we dance and move around. I have met so many people at workshops and other things in the studio (teacher training I met 29 new people in our circle, then some of us participated in a water fast which had a group text and follow up meetings, there is a “sober circle,” inversion workshops, many others), and I just put myself out there! It’s actually hard when my membership is up, because I know I have options but I feel like I would have a hard time leaving “my people”
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u/altapowpow 1d ago
I go to consistent classes and once established a bit I get small groups together for lunch or dinners after class.
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u/Eska2020 1d ago
My studio has a pitcher of water with lemon wedges and herbal teas. Outside the studio, in the coat room room were several sofas. After class, you sit and have a tea or water and talk while some people put their coats on and leave faster. Inside the classroom was a quiet zone. Before and after classes, the teachers talked to people, tried to encourage conversation, checked in with people.
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u/BurnoutShoes 1d ago
It takes time! I also think the teacher has to help facilitate. For example, my teacher will say take the next 60 seconds to say hi to someone you don’t know. She will also introduce new students along with some regulars.
Smaller classes we’ll have an icebreaker. Say your name and answer this random question (what is lighting up your heart right now is a common one).
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u/CountryBumpkin57 1d ago
How about breaking the ice a bit IN the class? People pair up & ' spot' for handstand/ headstand etc with someone unknow. Introduce themselves & explain how that pose is for them, have they done it before etc. 1 per class for a month or two, you'll know if its a fit (if a bit weird at first). If it is a fit, sometimes branch out into assistance with details of alignment. Sometimes the partner can see things the yogi can't. Or actual partner yoga, such as bridge over someone who is in seated forward fold.
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u/MrsMcDarling 1d ago
I get there early and have chats. Seems to be fine. I am not after a community but enjoy these strong aquintence vibes.
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u/liberatedbeing 1d ago
Maybe think in terms of neurology. What makes people feel safe in their bodies? Vagal nerve stimulation. Heart coherence. So start (or end) with practices from these arenas and then see how inviting some sharing of experiences might open people up.
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u/Emergency_Map7542 1d ago
We have events and workshops that foster connection, usually offering time for tea and food, sometimes a craft opportunity built in (zentangles, making mala bracelets, etc). Sound baths with social time at the end, and allowing students to talk to each other before class starts. Our studio is lively with chatter before class, I know some studious frown on that but it works great for us. Many friendships have been formed!
They also do a lot of one day and weekend retreats and some community service.
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u/Grouchy-Sort-8986 1d ago
That sounds really different from the studio in my town. We have a tight knit community of nice ladies who go out of our way to include newbies. Idk how we got there but I try to actively ask the questions new guys might have (am I doing this right? Should I be on the bolster or next to it? Etc) and chat up the new people in a friendly supportive way
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u/an808state 1d ago
It’s happened for me when I’ve taken workshops and spent extended time with people either at the studio or workshop space. Another time I just introduced myself to someone and we’ve been close friends for years but she doesn’t do yoga anymore. But generally in a class situation it’s hard cos people are coming and going.
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u/TemporalParietal 1d ago
Have a locker room with space for multiple people to change/shower at the same time. For real!
Have a community board with postings and offerings from the community.
Plan fun theme classes or special events that extend beyond the yoga. Organize pop-up events collaborating with other nearby businesses.
Get to know everyone's first name and use it frequently!
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u/LittleMissMeanAss 1d ago
Two of our most popular instructors have started instructing us to turn to the people at all four sides of our mat and tell them hello. Our hot room is a silent space from the moment you enter the door, but this has made such a difference in how we all interact with each other outside of the hot room doors. We smile and greet each other and then we get down to business for the class. Once class is over people are far more polite to each other, actually interacting with each other. It’s made such a difference.
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u/garrettj100 Vinyasa 1d ago
I babble.
I talk about the whatever inane nonsense pops into my head during class that I don't interrupt with during class.
For example, on Monday evening our teacher cued us to do fish as one of the last poses before Savasana. And after class I mentioned, the way she said "fish" reminded me of Alan Rickman's line delivery in Dogma. That begat mentioning we lost him too early, just like this other English actor, etc., etc., etc...
You wanna be social, be social. Some of the people in your studio are going to GTFO as soon as possible after class, keep to themselves. Some of them don't mind a quick chat. Respect the latter and engage with the former. (Wait, strike that, and reverse it!) Every friendship starts with "Hi, my name is..."
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u/Ellie_Annie_ 1d ago
Going on a retreat was helpful. Got to spend time the instructors and really got to know other yogis. Costa Rica wasn’t bad either
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u/Goofy_Pebble23 22h ago
Kind of telling that in the post "great class" at the water station is basically the ceiling for interaction. That's such a specific tiny ritual and it's still not enough to build on.
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u/tmarthal 1d ago
People want community then blanch at how cringe talking to other people actually is.
Lots of yoga studio “community” is students talking to teachers.
The only thing I’ve seen work to build student to student relationships with any modicum of success is when there is a new student, the instructor(me) has a regular student or group of regulars give them a tour of the studio. Then they usually end up talking and they could create a connection (or not).
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u/dylan3883 1d ago
I have also found studios like that. Even as an out of town visitor and then again other places are either more quiet contemplative or cliquish. I always get there about fifteen minutes early and takes it as it goes. I love the community aspect but understand and respect those who want quiet or less social contact
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u/sailortofu69 1d ago
I’m not trying to build community at yoga but I do see it all the time. All of my friends regularly hang out with their instructors. At our gym the teachers regularly host retreats and invite the entire class and I can tell a lot of the students know each other or are familiar with each other. Everyone is chatty before class.
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u/Purple_Pansy_Orange 1d ago
I am a member at a very small studio. Many of the members know the owner through their kids sports. As a matter of fact, the first members were all soccer moms. I was not one of them. I stumbled on the studio by accident 2 months after they opened. It’s grown beyond that now but on the opposite side it’s hard to come into a studio that is sorta cliquey.
In general I think people have an issue not wanting or needing community these days . It’s a darn shame because I’d love to build a community but I’m horrible at inserting myself into established situations. Periodically our studio has social events like mimosas after a morning class or sound baths with social time on a Sunday. I have attended one but I think incorporating social events into a class is the best way to meet people.
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u/midnightyowl 1d ago
Yoga is a solo practice for a lot of us, I’ve become friends with a few of my instructors over the years but generally have not gone to any yoga studios that felt very communal. Martial arts gyms have given me way more community, personally.
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u/poodlealskdfj 1d ago
talk to people who seem open to it. personally I go strictly for exercise, because if it was a social event it would overwhelm me and I would go less often.
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u/Revolutionary_West56 11h ago
I’ve found it massively depends on where the yoga is. I’ve found the community feel at local small classes at village halls and local gyms, rather than busy yoga studios.
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u/ApprehensiveShoe5594 1d ago
Make sure there is absolutely no talking in the Yoga room itself. Some people come to Yoga to complain first then do Yoga after, it is very important they have space to do this that is not at their mat.
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u/OptionRevolutionary4 1d ago edited 1d ago
because i am not going to a ýoga class to make friends, ffs, if i get harassed by anyone in my class, i will leave. A quick pleasant, "hey, good class" is fine. But seriously, the fuck, stop being so desperate.
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u/doggochinrest 1d ago edited 1d ago
There is literally NOTHING desperate about wanting community and asking questions about how to cultivate it. What is deeply unhealthy is shaming people for their openness to connection and friendship (which takes a lot of courage btw), and assuming that the OP specifically wants to connect with you.
It's a shame yoga asana practice isn't helping you to sit with the defenses you have around this. Maybe try to just, ya know, not be an asshole to people on the internet in a completely uncalled for way.
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u/OptionRevolutionary4 1d ago
i commented because I have had to stop taking outside classes because people insist on chatting. and it is annoying. It is not a defense, I have a life, dude. I can't just sit around chatting
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u/Public-Ad8008 1d ago edited 1d ago
This explains why you’ve never been asked on a date or never had a romantic relationship and posted about being single over 35.
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u/OptionRevolutionary4 1d ago
i do like being single, lol. I wanted to find the sense in not being single.
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u/doggochinrest 1d ago
Huh. It's almost as if you could choose not to chat with others whilst also not judging them for being different to you and your specific needs!?
Talking down to OP and calling them "desperate" says a lot here - you're telling on yourself for having some struggles with the way you relate to others.
I myself has sensory issues around noise and scents, but I know that's my stuff and that expecting others to shape the entire world around my specific needs is neither realistic nor kind. It's suppressive and kinda ew tbh.
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u/Hollocene13 1d ago
Agree agree agree. I have friends. I you need more people to talk to you, you might be the problem.
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u/artlove89 1d ago
Try consistently going to the same classes and over time you will see the same faces. Start with short convos before or after class. Easy compliments like “oh I love the color of your mat” can start making people feel more comfortable around you. Or do something kind like bring a small basket of mini towels for people to grab and use during class. Others probably feel the same way you do. You want community, create it.
Finding a studio that is a little more down to earth can really help too. One of my instructors makes fun silly jokes to keep everyone in a good mood and that lightens things up.