There are places that feel different the moment you walk through the door.
For me, Lila Studio is one of those places.
Tucked into Sugar House, it has become more than a yoga studio in my life. It has become a sanctuary. A refuge from the noise, urgency, performance, and overstimulation that so many of us quietly carry. The moment I step inside, something in me softens.
In Sanskrit, lila means divine playfulness.
Not productivity.
Not striving.
Not self-improvement as a project.
Playfulness.
A gentle remembering that life does not always have to feel so heavy.
That is one of the reasons I chose The Tao of Pooh for my upcoming June Osher special event.
At first glance, it may seem like a simple or whimsical little book. But beneath its warmth and humor is something deeply wise. The Tao of Pooh explores the principles of Taoism through the gentle, unforced nature of Winnie-the-Pooh — reminding us that there is another way to move through life besides pushing, proving, rushing, and overthinking.
A softer way.
A steadier way.
A more human way.
The older I get, the more I value spaces where people can simply gather without needing to impress anyone. Spaces where conversation unfolds naturally. Where people can share thoughts, ideas, laughter, and reflection over tea. Where nobody is trying to become a brand. Where nobody needs to have the “right” answer.
Just real people. Real conversation. Community.
That matters to me.
Especially now.
Yoga has also become an important part of my own second act of life. Not because I care about complicated poses or perfection, but because of what the practice has given me physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
It has helped me become calmer in my body. Softer with myself. More grounded. More present. More resilient.
And perhaps most importantly, it has reminded me that healing does not always happen through force. Sometimes healing happens through gentleness. Through breath. Through community. Through feeling safe enough to finally unclench.
That is the spirit behind this gathering.
Not a workshop.
Not a performance.
Not a networking event.
Just tea, conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection in a beautiful space designed for exactly that kind of slowing down.
This June, I’ll be hosting a small Osher special event discussion of The Tao of Pooh at Lila Studio in Sugar House. Registration will be limited to 10 people to keep the experience intimate and conversational.
Details and registration information are available through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah website.
And honestly? I think many of us are hungry for exactly this kind of space right now.
Not more noise.
Just a little more presence.
A little more depth without heaviness.
A little more playfulness.
A little more humanity.
