Therapeutic Yoga
Green Yoga Studio
Indus Valley Yoga studio and day retreat center is a branch of Indus Valley Sustainable Living Institute. IVY studio or Yog-Shala is a first Green Yoga Studio in
WWW.IndusValleyYoga.Org
Our Green Yoga Program indicates our conscious intention of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and Good Health for the Practitioners and Planet. We are on a journey to reduce our environmental impact and to honor and care for the earth. We hope you will join us in this journey as a friend, as yoga instructor or as yoga practitioner.
Our one and a half acre land is designed using Permaculture principles. From the moment you enter the gates you see sustainability in action. From our crushed concrete driveway, organic gardens and gray water sprinkler system to Ike downed tree trunk used as seats for fire pits will welcome you in a healthy environment. We are working on our bike racks to encourage students to ride the bike for the class. Students can relax in front of an outdoor fireplace or any numbers of fountains around the studio. Hammocks welcome tired visitors while birds and wind chimes sing in the soft wind. Outside meditation area help practitioners to let go.
Studio itself is located in an energy efficient Passive Solar building. Wall of glass windows not only let the natural light in but bring the beautiful outdoors in too. Skylights let the sun warm up the space. Energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs bathe the studio in gentle light when needed. No VOC paint means you can breathe easy. Our floors are tiled from tiles that were destined for the land fill. No mold or mildew lingering here. Studio is cleaned using non toxic environmentally friendly cleaners. Our low flow taps and toilets conserve water. Favorite among all visitors is our toilet tank lid sink which uses the water for hand washing (of course with non toxic natural soap) before flushing.
Our mats are made of or traditional woven cotton or natural rubber without any harmful chemicals. Only environmentally friendly personal yoga mats are allowed in the studio. Unhealthy PVC containing yoga mats are not allowed to keep the environment of the studio clean from harmful gases.
Plastic water bottles are not allowed in the studio. We encourage reusable aluminum or stainless steel bottles. Water is provided in glass bottles and ceramic jar at the studio with glass tumblers for drinking.
Our yoga mat recycling program helps disadvantage communities to get introduced to yoga.
Recycling of paper, plastic, and cans is given. Organic waste is recycled in our compost pile.
We share our space with "Pure Mutts Animal Sanctuary" a Free range concept where sick and old animals come to recoup or spend their last days in freedom. where young and injured animals come to recoup while waiting to find their New Forever Homes.
Our Philosophy
Ancient science and philosophy of yoga is based on inter connectedness of universe, planet, earth, animals, plants, water and air. Yoga is grounded in the belief that health of our bodies depends on clean air, clean water, and clean food. Yoga teaches ahimsa, or non-violence, non-injury, and non-harming to self, to other living beings and to earth itself. It teaches that living in balance with yourself and your environment is the way to happiness. To cleanse and heal ourselves we must also cleanse and heal this earth. Our heart, mind and actions should be aligned. Spiritual principle of yoga are actually the ethical principles of living harmoniously with your environment.
Green Yoga movement is a way to recognize our ego that makes us feel that some how we are separated from the rest of the world which makes it easier for us to pollute or not take action. Green Yoga is a way to bring our yoga into the world and live harmoniously. We must serve, heal and protect the larger environment as an extension of ourselves if we want to heal and protect our bodies. Honoring the earth is honoring our selves. Spirituality is not suppose to separate us from the natural world instead it’s suppose to connect us to it.
As Cornell says, “Don’t be afraid to be outside of the norm; the norm isn’t working.”
