Loka Yoga has been a mother's hand to our family. The kind that circles your back providing comfort and care to the rhythm of gentle words of wisdom and love. I will miss its touch. The studio closes its doors at Nita Lake Lodge this week.
I don't know where our family would have been without the care of Tina (owner) and Victoria (right-hand-woman) the first two years of our daughter's life. Health challenges left our family so sleep deprived I struggled to function as we searched for answers in a life filled only with questions.
I retreated, no filters, not trusting myself and exhausted. But there was always a safe space for me at Loka. Somewhere I could connect with love and community no matter what state I was in.
Shavasana with Victoria often ended in silent rolling tears, leaving me stronger with a little more energy and most importantly, enough clarity to help me make the decisions my daughter needed. I am a better mother because of the work done at Loka—and any mother knows there is no greater gift.
Whistler is losing a great, and much-needed, spiritual beacon. A space that focuses on the importance of community and the need for compassion—empathy moved into action—and with no religious affiliation. So much good has come out of Loka's concern and attention: the environment, our animals, Indigenous relations, humanity overall. Whistler is a stronger place because of the studio.
More than yoga postures happened there. I am sad for Whistler. I'm sad for the people who will miss out on this incredibly special, unique place. I am not sad for myself, however.
Last spring, my new schedule didn't correspond with the classes I needed at Loka, and so I turned to my mat at home and other studios to fill the gap. I felt like a teen travelling for the first time. There were new styles and instructors. New spins on the traditional practices I had learned at Loka.
But all the while, in all this exploration, I constantly heard Tina and Victoria's teachings and stories in my head throughout my practice. I still do, and I still finish every practice giving thanks to them. That's because, like anyone who has left the nest knows, home is where the heart is. It's not a physical space. You can take it with you. Thank goodness.
So, when people ask where I practice yoga, no matter where I'm taking classes, I say Loka is my home studio. What was created there lives inside of me. I live the practice. I live it as a mother, wife, friend, advocate and community member. And I am so very grateful.
I took my last class at Loka (this week). Tina was at the helm. The mountain at my front. The sound of the ocean at my back. I comforted myself with the fact that I knew I could take all of this with me, like I had over the past months, but wow was it nice to hear Tina's full-bellied laugh again.
I'll be listening for it around Whistler as I'm sure many others will be. (I discovered her new classes would be posted at tinapashumatijames.com.)
Nicole Fitzgerald
Whistler
