Christine and
her husband, Michael, are in the process of
building a “green” yoga studio behind
their home. Future classes and workshops will be
held in a comfortable, straw-bale insulated
building with eco-friendly design features and
materials. These include:
1.Thoughtful Design – Building plans drawn
to minimize materials necessary for construction.
Design took into account solar orientation to
maximize natural light.
2.FSC-certified and Reused wood – These
include FSC hemlock for ceiling coverage and
120-year-old fir planks from a local barn in
Sheridan, Oregon.
3.Straw-Bale Walls – Straw provides natural,
sustainable insulation that’s non-toxic.
Offers maximum insulating value to reduce energy
consumption. Eliminates waste by using a natural
material that often gets burned in the
agricultural process.
4.Eco-Friendlier Insulation – In some areas,
formaldehyde-free insulation was used and in
others, recycled denim insulation.
5.Alternative Flooring – Materials were
minimized by switching plans from carpet to
radiant-floor heated, dyed concrete flooring. In
other areas, Marmoleum scraps, gathered by the
contractor, combine and decoratively fill floor
spaces. Marmoleum is made from cork, linseed oil
and other natural substances.
6.Metal Roof with High Reflectivity –A high
reflectivity reduces the “heat island”
effect.
7.Energy Efficient Windows – Low-E Windows.
With most of the windows being operable, air will
circulate freely.
8.Natural Light – Over a dozen windows
provide plenty of natural light.
9.Air Circulation – Windows, ceiling fans,
and a solar circulation fan help keep the air
fresh and healthy.
10. Paints and Sealants – All low/no VOC
paints and sealants (ex: Safecoat) significantly
reduce harmful fumes.
11.Bathroom Fixtures – Including a
dual-flush toilet to reduce water use and a
reused sink.
12.More Reused Materials – Includes multiple
doors, 50-year-old wooden folding chairs (still
work great!), and yoga blankets made from
recycled fibers.
13.Bike Racks and Alternative Transportation
Discounts – A separate, convenient area for
bikes is available, as well as money-saving
offers for those that bike, walk, or carpool.
14.Environmental Storm Water Management –
On-site treatment of rainwater runoff through the
creation of a roof drain system that filters
water through a bed of plants. Other runoff will
be diverted to a cistern and used for watering.
In other areas on site, rainwater will be
contained and filtered through a native-species
rain garden.
15.Native, Drought-Tolerant Landscaping –
Designed with help from local experts on native
plants and sustainable landscaping.
16.Locally Purchased Materials – To increase
economic vitality and community spirit, as well
as reduce the amount of fossil fuels used to
deliver materials, Sweet Yoga chose local
whenever possible.
17.Green Building Contractor – Ben Metzger,
of Metzger Green Build, brought a wealth of
environmentally friendly building know-how and
ingenuity to the project (he also helped us save
money).The Relationship - Being
Green and Being a Yogi
Being green means having an
awareness of how humans interact with their
natural environment. There is an understanding
that we are a part of the natural world, and the
natural world is a part of us.
Yogis share a similar
philosophy. We are all part of one whole. Yoga
teaches awareness – this includes an
awareness of one’s self, one’s actions
and relationships to others, and to the greater
environment in which one lives. The yogic
principle of ahimsa or non-harming, teaches
non-violence toward one’s self, others, or
the planet.
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