1 Are you a Yogini?

Since starting yoga, the most common questions I've encountered are "Does yoga help you lose weight?" and "How often should you practice yoga per week?" I admit my initial motivation may have been rooted in these expectations. However, once I embarked on the yoga journey, these questions became more challenging to answer.

In essence, yoga originates from the Sanskrit word 'YUJ,' which means to yoke or bind—it's the concept of binding the 'mind' (free spirit) to the 'body' (physical human form). Yoga aims to achieve a state of freedom where the body and mind are unified through various practices like Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Mudras (hand gestures), and Bandhas (energy locks). While it might be considered philosophical, viewing yoga merely as a tool for weight loss or a physical routine misses the broader, daily concept it embodies.

Yet, as a second-year yogini¹⁾, I believe yoga can serve as a means for dieting, achieving goals, or escaping reality through meditation. Perhaps all these aspects are integral to what yoga is about. Ultimately, if practicing yoga brings happiness, isn't that the essence of true yoga?

If so, yes, I am a yogini!

2 The Greatest Joy of Yoga: Dōban

One of the most enriching aspects of being a yogini has been the formation of 'dōban'—fellow practitioners with whom I share the path. While we practice yoga in our own space, doing so simultaneously in the same room builds a camaraderie based on shared struggles and achievements. This naturally evolves into a supportive community. Engaging in yoga creates a bond that transcends generations, mixing diverse individuals who share a sense of belonging, comfort, and encouragement while occasionally exchanging valuable information.

Among the asanas every yogini aspires to master, the 'Headstand (Sirsasana)' was my first challenge alongside my dōban. We've seen considerable progress over months of practicing together and sharing tips. One day, my dōban suggested we take commemorative photos once we succeeded. Finally, after taking those photos and seeing various others, I realized a market exists catering specifically to yoginis of today's generation, offering a range of products and services designed to express personal identity.

3 A Yogini’s Weekend Date

How does a yogini unwind? When planning weekend outings with dōban, we often select locations and times based on the schedules of yoga studios we're eager to try. Instead of visiting trendy studios featured on Instagram, we seek out lesser-known spaces offering lessons from admired instructors or studios with distinctive concepts. Reflecting the young generation's proactive approach to consuming spaces, the interior design of these yoga studios is as distinctive as the instructors' lessons. Each space conveys its message and fosters a unique community. I've been captivated by the charm of several such places, but let me introduce two particularly niche and memorable studios.

1) Yoga Khoyo (@yoga_khoyo)
Sometimes a magnificent performance, other times a community hub.

[If You Visit Here]
Nestled near the Mangwon Market, a pilgrimage site for bakery enthusiasts, the area is bustling with cafes and bakeries. Wandering through the market’s quaint alleys, one might stumble upon a building housing a vegan dessert cafe and a pottery workshop. Ascend to the top floor, and you'll find the Yoga Khoyo studio. Stepping into this modest studio, one is greeted with a tranquility that seems to transport you to another world, true to the studio’s name.

[This Place’s Unique Classes]
The classes at Khoyo are as serene as the name suggests yet richly varied. The immersive space allows for a calm and profound practice, accompanied by carefully chosen music, scents, and singing bowls, awakening the senses like watching a performance. Moreover, the instructor picks a meaningful word from a piece of literature each session, inviting contemplation. One day, we were asked to reflect on the word ‘moderately.’ Often uttered in daily life, it's a word that prompts deeper introspection through the flow of asanas than one might expect, showcasing another charming facet of yoga.

[This Place’s Community]
The community activities at Khoyo also provide opportunities for reflection. They include pop-up events like a flea market to ponder objects' usefulness and a session of 108 Surya Namaskars (Sun Salutations) to ring in the New Year.

2) Unwind Yoga (@unwind_yoga_)
A gathering place for those who live each day with intention.

[If You Visit Here]
In the old neighborhood of Seodaemun-gu, maintaining its unique pace alongside Hongjecheon Stream, you enter the Yeonhui-dong residential area. The vivid colors of a blue gate might make you wonder, “Is this really a yoga studio? Is this Seodaemun?” However, surprisingly, these vivid colors and decorative elements add to the yoga experience, much like a refreshing breeze from Jeju’s sea.

[This Place’s Unique Classes]
Unwind features dawn practices starting at 6:10 AM. These 100-minute focused sessions might make you wonder if you can rise that early regularly—if so, try a single class. The space, and indeed the time, offer a unique sensory experience. Gathering in the dark hours of early morning, as you practice together, you realize many others are also starting their day with dedication, inspiring you to live the day with equal care. The morning vista post-practice also delivers a fresh wave of emotion.

[This Place’s Community]
After practice, it’s almost as if, by agreement, everyone gathers around the instructor for a tea circle. Although initially strangers, sharing tea, valuable information, everyday stories, and sometimes personal dilemmas fosters a loosely woven yet earnest sense of community.

4 Yoga Retreats and Yoga Picnics

1) Yoga 'Retreat': Was I the Only One Who Didn't Know?

Traditionally, a retreat is a journey where yoga practitioners seek enlightenment by withdrawing from external activities to enter a state of solitude. This concept has interlocked with the trend of experience-seeking among young consumers, manifesting in various travel packages, resort programs, and experiential offerings themed around healing, meditation, relationships, and wellness. From Jeju Island to Bali and the Himalayas, many yoginis embark on retreats where the simple presence of a yoga mat highlights yoga's universal applicability—practice anywhere, anytime.

One might question the expense and time invested in yoga. Still, the experience of mingling with like-minded individuals from various regions, each sharing similar interests, seems to resonate deeply with today's consumption-oriented generations.

2) If Yoga Retreats Seem Daunting, How about a Yoga Picnic?

I've often dreamed of effortlessly embarking on a yoga retreat, but for those of us unable to whisk ourselves away, I explored the concept of a yoga picnic as an everyday retreat. Unlike studio sessions, practicing outdoors with fellow yogis feels like a joyful outing. Each asana changes with the landscape, heightening awareness of nature's unseen facets. Each time your face touches the mat, the scent of earth rises; during savasana, you might notice the sky changing hues with the breeze. After your practice, enjoy a simple picnic lunch and tea amidst nature! With the beautiful spring weather, it's definitely worth a try.