Black Swan Yoga

Black Swan broke apart the concepts of all a donation based studio can become. Never before was I so incredibly proud to come from a donation based studio, nor inspired into spreading donation-based love.

Before I get into the excellent instruction that I received in Ben's class, let me talk about how the studio itself works.

It's a co-op. A cooperative, donation based space. Teachers don't get paid from a central authority who runs the studio (honestly, I don't know if one person's name is on the lease- but from what I've heard decisions are made through the group). Teachers rent space, and are reimbursed through student donations. It keeps it honest and open, and simply enough- if students want you, you'll be there.

It's stylish and authentic. Oftentimes decorating a yoga studio or creating a 'sacred space' means putting up reflections of cultural symbols that most cannot relate to*. Black swan creates the format through an authentic, hip design that really show what their yoga means: self expression, creativity and ingenuity. Paper mache black swans line the walls and their photography and social media presence is stunning. I wish I lived in Austin so I could play with these guys. I really do.

I took Ben Heath's class: mindful, passionate, well-sequenced, great points of alignment- an all around excellent class. With radiohead twice in the playlist (love it!). Ben also teaches a class at 4:30 AM in the morning (no joke) on Saturdays that he will not accept donations. It's pure kundalini for two hours! How amazing, after a night of partying or just some restless, curious night, you found yourself at Black Swan..... crazy visions of how insane that morning would be.

Black swan reignited

*note, I have nothing against cultural appropriation: I walk around with a metal Ganesh around my neck and an Om earing, both presents. Yet those symbols have become meaningful to me through my practice. It's impressive that Black Swan goes outside that paradigm to choose symbols that may be meaningful to non-yogis.