Look! The Yoga Shala Goes Color

We stumbled upon Guy Donahaye's Ashtanga Yoga Shala almost three years ago when we were looking for a good place to practice. Far over in the East Village, it was a hike from our apartment, but it was the real deal - all ashtanga, all the time - with Guy overseeing everyone's practice. We became die hard fans.

Enter Shala Tour

When Guy found out what we did, however, he admitted to needing a little help when it came to choosing colors. He wanted to use Indian colors that he was familiar with from his time with his teacher in Mysore, India. We went to work, looking at photographs of Sri K Pattabhi Jois sitting in his Mysore shala and got out the Benjamin Moore paint deck. This is that picture:

This is the shala during construction:

This is after using BM 2084–10 on the lower walls and BM Antique White 319-75 on the upper walls. Indian colors are sometimes subdued:

Here's an action shot:

Over time we've prodded Guy to get a little wilder with color, and he's been getting into it. Just last month he completed painting the entryway and the kitchen a bright orange. This is the most recent addition of color - 254–A in the entrance. These are not as subdued:

223A behind the Ganesh at the end of the entrance:

And in the kitchen:

These are the mats with their own color:

LOVE. Enjoy our little tour and become a believer in the role of color! All paint info is below.

Enter Shala Tour

(tour down to be fixed - back up in a bit)

All Colors used (top two are Janovich - all else are Benjamin Moore):

254–A - Kitchen/Entrance
223A - behind Ganesh

2056–50 - Bathrooms
Antique White (319 75) - walls
2084–10 - Red in Studio
Dove White – window wells in studio
HC-120 - men’s changing room
2175-60 – women’s changing room