A review I wrote for World Yoga Network...
Indaba Yoga is one of the latest offerings in the world of urban yoga studios in London. After many months of waiting, anticipating and wondering, numerous facebook launches, I finally get to see the impressive and much awaited 5000sq ft Indaba in Marelybone. I had heard a lot about the studio through friends, teachers, online and in the media, reading catch phrases such as ‘Real Yoga for real people’, ‘gorgeous airy studios’ and so on, so I had a vague picture in mind, but I didn’t quite expect what I found.
Set in a quiet street off Marelybone station, the building initially had no resemblance to other yoga studios I had visited so far (for some reason many seem to have white walls, a smell of incense reaching the street, a crowd of slim, smart yoga clad bunnies lurking outside drinking green juice). Not that Indaba lacks any of these, but at first glance I just see a neat red brick building. As I walk up the stairs, the décor really kicks in. So this is a stylish, sleek and smart place, that does smell of incense, but doesn’t feel pretentious in any way. I am greeted with a smile, take my shoes off and peek into Stewart Gilchrist’s ‘Yogasana’ class in the hot room. Looks hot indeed. Upstairs, there is another spacious, bright and airy studio with a proper Iyengar set up (wall ropes, belts, blankets and blocks). One more floor to the massage loft studio and I am blown away – to set up a huge space like this in central London is a feat. I would call it an inner-city yoga bubble.
Indaba may be very new on the market (hence the fresh feel and shiny floors), but they have managed to gather some hugely experienced teachers, a wide range of yoga styles and a full schedule.
So what about the yoga in all that? The teacher line-up is impressive enough – Stewart Gilchrist, Mark Khan, Norman Blair to name but a few- and classes include Mysore self pactice, Asthanga, Dharma Mittra, Jivamukti, Iyengar, Power Yoga and Slow Flow. The list is long, but they do cater for all styles, ages, abilities, so it is very much a ‘gathering’ space – the actual meaning of ‘Indaba’.
However, it is a tough time to open a yoga studio in London: summer holidays, recession, competition (this is the 3rd new studio opening – coming after Life Center Islington and Triyoga Chelsea) and it is independently run. Time will tell how long it may take to gather a steady student following and make it to the ranks of Triyoga, but I hear word is spreading fast and calls keep coming in.
Later on, I have a quick look online, I notice the website faqs… Precise, concise as they should be, covering every single question that might arise, but I especially enjoyed reading these two:
“ Q: What happens if I smile? A: You will be reprimanded and made to scrub the communal mats down, alternatively you will receive a smile back, this is dependent on the moon.
Q: What if I don’t like it? A: Then you’re a fool”
All in all Indaba is a friendly, fun, and welcoming place to practice, relax and explore new possibilities. One for the little black book.
August 2011
