Restoration Barn-ware

I am ready to restore.

I’m heading up to New Hampshire, where I hear it’s really and truly autumn, to Dragonfly Yoga Barn. I haven’t been there before but I have to tell you, this place looks amazing. It’s a Yoga Barn, you guys. Yoga. Barn.

Twice a year I assist my teacher in a program called Refilling Your Well. It’s a nurturing retreat that helps teach the science of stress and stress-reduction. Learning what truly nurtures them, students are encouraged to ‘put the oxygen mask’ on themselves first, so that they are healthy and strong when they take care of others.

It’s wisdom I know in my head, and more and more, feel in my body. Which is why I’m so excited to assist yet another restorative retreat coming up this weekend. I’m helping out a long-time friend of mine from back in the Kripalu days as she leads a Gentle Yoga and Yoga Nidra program. I know there will be lots of setup (bolsters, blankets, backjacks) but I also think there will be time for hot tubs, and hikes, and being still. Remember being still? Ever? I barely do. And I’m so looking forward to it.

Mat Goes Here: Bridge

This week I’m revisiting the Pacific Northwest in my mind. Maybe I’m just in the mood for a hike. There’s something about the canopy of tress, the filtered sunlight, the smell. I actually really miss that feeling of taking off my hikers after a good, long climb.

Now I’m imagining taking a yoga break on one of these rough hewn bridges. Doing tree pose among the tress. Stretching my hamstrings. Smelling the earth around me. Taking a deep breath.

Mat Goes Here: BoHo Yoga

I love a good boho interior. The natural wood beams, the patina on the walls. I imagine the people who live here putter around in bare feet all the time, eat exotic food with their fingers and plan world travels.

I could see baring my feet and skipping the mat in lieu of one of those layered rugs to get my bohemian yoga sutras on.

The interior on the left is from A Perfect Gray. The image on the right was found on Desire to Inspire.

Mat Goes Here: Magic Hour

The other day I came home from work early. When I walked through the front door -wham- I could not believe the light in the apartment.

I would love to lay down my mat by either of these large-scale windows and soak up the sun.

The image on the left is from Luis Barragan and can be found here. The image on the right is from The Poetry of Material Things. P.S. I can lose hours on this site.

Mat Goes Here: Central Park

Recently my office moved uptown to Columbus Circle. I’ll miss Bryant Park, but now we’ll be really close to Central Park, and my old neighborhood.

Central Park is over 840 acres, and in there, plenty of room for laying out a yoga mat. I’m more likely to practice yoga in a group when I’m way out in the open, like this first image shows. Doesn’t that grass look amazing?

But I also like the idea of a secret spot tucked away in a corner somewhere to practice in solitude away from the hustle bustle. Either way, I think there’s some outdoor yoga in store for me.

The first image was found here. And the second here.

Mat Goes Here: Green Village

I’ve never been to Bali. But if these images do it any justice, oh boy. I’m ready. I love the kind of hot weather trips where you pack your bag full of different outfits and just end up wearing a t-shirt and bathing suit bottoms the whole time you’re there.

I would lay my mat down here any day. Wouldn’t you?

I orginally found these images featured at Honestly WTF? from Green Village in Bali. Yes, please.

Mat Goes Here: Modern

These are two separate modern homes, one in Australia and another in Beunos Aires. I love the square modern aesthetic and the glow from inside and out. I could definitely see spreading my mat out in a sunny spot and taking savasana like a napping cat.

This interior was found at Just for Design. The two exterior shots were featured on Design Milk in a post called Beached House.

Mat Goes Here: Beach House

Alright kids. I’m done with all this cold weather business. It’s time to dig our toes in the sand and play. So I’m ending this week with some beach house yoga fantasies.

Listening to the sound of the waves, sleeping on cool crisp sheets, letting the breeze blow through. Sun salutations at dawn and dusk. Feeling the sunshine on your skin. I might even consider having a beer with that. Cheers. Have a great weekend!

All three of these inspiring images are from Blood and Champagne, a blog that makes me drool on the regular.

Mat Goes Here: Retreat

Let the Friday daydreaming begin. I got hooked on these images of a retreat space on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The green is so lush, the walls look cool to the touch and I love the swatch of drapery pooled in the copper tub in that first image.

The whole scene looks absolutely peaceful. The staging is gorgeous and I can almost smell the humidity (in a good way). I’ll meet you there.

All three of these images are from Elixir de Careyes.

Mat Goes Here: Chalet

We’re going to end this week with some chalet-style yoga if you don’t mind. Maybe a little asana for heart and hearth, followed by some hot cocoa. I’m in.

First image is from a blog called Bliss. And the second is from my scandinavian home.

You may notice a slightly different look around here lately and by increments. All thanks to the lovely ladies of Blogshop. Nothing is perfect, of course. I’m still learning!

Mat Goes Here: Secret Garden

This week I’m imagining yoga in a secret garden. The soft, soft grass. Dirt under the fingernails in downward dog. This looks amazing.

I found this image here, but can’t find it attributed anywhere! Troubles with Pinterest.

Ooh, let’s put the mat somewhere hiding back there. Under the shade of the tree. Listening to the leaves rustle in the breeze. Maybe a little babbling brook action. I’m happy.

Find this image here.

I’d lay down my mat behind this door. Wouldn’t you?

Image here. Also, “Mat Goes Here” is inspired by this column by The Jealous Curator.

Mat Goes Here: Inside Out

This week I’m thinking about warmer weather and those glorious spaces that are neither inside nor outside. I’d do yoga here, for sure.

This image from the beautiful A Note On Design tumblr.

There are a million things I want to do in this space. Yoga is one of them. (Nap, read, drink tea, have a dance party, get my asana on…)

Image from Remodelista.

The rug, the cushions, the sun, the sky! Yeah, I would do yoga here. For whatever reason, this perfect line from Chevy Chase popped into my head.

Also, “Mat Goes Here” is inspired by this column by The Jealous Curator.