“When you’re alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go downtown
When you’ve got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go downtown
Things will be great when you’re downtown
No finer place for sure, downtown
Everything’s waiting for you…”

You’re feeling lonely?  Like life is too noisy?  You have too many worries?  Well what I think Petula Clark actually meant by downtown was Laughing Lotus Yoga Center… seriously!  This place is one of my sanctuaries in the city.  As soon as you walk in you will see this…

Still feeling lonely?  Do you feel the love yet?  Then you turn the corner to see a beautiful mural in the hallway…

How do you feel now?  Serene?  I feel enveloped by love when I walk down this hallway.  The desire to feel calm, peacefulness and know that there are many others seeking tranquility in a hectic place is all I need to keep me coming back.

This mural has not always decorated the hallway.  I’ve watched the studio blossom into this beautiful space where the yoga family at Laughing Lotus are committed to uplifting spirits. Although the studio has been open more than a decade, it continues to evolve into a haven for the yoga community in the bustling city.  I’ve been coming to the studio since the fall of 2011 and have seen the paint colors change, new draperies on the huge windows, new places to store mats, a cleaning station, and more.

Due to my limited attention span I continue to take the magical Lotus Hour class that is offered multiple times per day.  I’ve taken classes with many instructors, all very knowledgable and well-studied in their practices.  I always enjoy the little anecdotes and intentions before our chanting and Ohm’s to open class.  The center also offers tons of workshops and dance parties continuously, some of which I’d like to participate in at some point.

Need some love?  To settle your worries?  Go downtown to some place that makes you feel loved!

P.S. You can check out the sister studio in San Francisco if you’re there!