Finding community on and off the mat: Inside Hamilton’s Breathing Room
In a small studio hidden away in the suburb of St Andrews, Kirikiriroa, yoga means more than just poses. The Breathing Room isn’t just your standard yoga studio – it is the highlight of people’s day and a second home for many.
For Lola Hennessey, one of the instructors at ‘The Breathing Room’, the path to both practising and teaching started unexpectedly. After experiencing a concussion from karate at the age of 18, she found herself unable to continue in the sport she’d devoted many years to. That’s when yoga flowed into her life, “It just kind of allowed me to soften and to quieten down and find a bit of space,” Lola said.
Now 21, Lola has been practicing yoga for over 10 years after her mum insisted she attended the classes with her. What Lola once used to despise, became her safe place, and somewhere she now shares her time with others.
Being part of the Breathing Room community from the start, Lola aligned with the vision that owner Kara Harte wanted for the yoga studio. The Breathing Room is set apart from most due to its approach of accessibility to all. Holding classes daily, the studio caters to all levels, from first timers to advanced yogis. With no need to book in advance, along with a very low price of just $10 per class, there are very few barriers to anyone being able roll out their mat. This reflects the genuine emphasis on wanting to build a strong sense of community.
This approach has attracted a diverse clientele: businesspeople decompressing after a long day at the office, athletes looking for ways to improve their performance and people with disabilities, who all come together in the studio to connect with breath and to simply just be.
The Breathing Room supplies it all, from those who want a hot power flow to a relaxing yin class. “Some people come to sweat,” Lola says, “other people come just to be still.” Flexibility and fitness don’t matter here. It’s the shared craving of connection to breath and calmness.” Connection and community go beyond the mat at The Breathing Room as friendships have formed, encouraging others to build relationships outside of the studio too. Lola is excited about upcoming events, including Broga, a yoga class for males only, as well as plans for sauna and ice bath offerings with the hope of helping others create bonds or strengthening the ones already formed.
With Kara’s vision and Lola’s teaching (alongside the other amazing instructors), The Breathing Room is exactly what it sounds like, a place to breathe, belong and be part of something that goes beyond just your yoga mat.
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Photo and video Stella Forrester
