Sacred Spaces, Holistic Home Yoga Sanctuary | Mogul Interior

Open the grand Haveli Indian doors and step with me into the sacred embrace of my sanctuary. The veranda stretches before us, a gentle threshold between the stillness within and the lush abundance of the gardens beyond. Here, the air is perfumed by ancient oak and the vibrant blooms of birds of paradise, their colors a living prayer to the sun.

At the heart of this verdant haven sits a magnificent Buddha, carved in natural stone, his presence both serene and commanding. He is seated in the earth-touching mudra-Bhumisparsha-the right hand reaching down, fingers brushing the soil, the left resting in his lap with a bowl, open to receive the blessings of the universe. This gesture, the “Earth Witness,” reflects his moment of enlightenment, when Budha called upon Mother Earth herself to bear witness to his triumph over illusion and doubt. In this mudra, I too am reminded to ground myself, to let the earth hold my resolve as I seek clarity and peace.

Beside him stands the Maharaja elephant, ornately carved from black granite, trunk lifted in auspicious greeting. His form speaks of the grandeur of ages past, a guardian of wisdom and strength, inviting in good fortune and steady grace.

This is the view from my yoga room-my sacred space, my daily refuge. Here, I unfurl my mat and settle into practice. The world falls away, and I become attuned to the gentle rhythms of breath and birdcall, the rustle of leaves, the silent wisdom of stone and tree. The Buddha’s earth-touching gesture reminds me: I am held, I am witnessed, I am enough.

In this tranquil peace, I draw in the goodness of Mother Earth, feeling her steady pulse beneath my feet. With each inhale, I receive her nourishment; with each exhale, I offer her my devotion. My practice becomes an act of gratitude, a daily honoring of the sacred cycle of giving and receiving.

May all who enter this space find sanctuary. May the old oaks, the birds of paradise, the steadfast elephant, and the enlightened Buddha inspire steadfastness, compassion, and joy. Here, in the stillness between earth and sky, I remember: I am home.

Within my yoga room rests my cherished altar, lovingly crafted from an old Indian arched window-a portal to stillness and sacredness. Here, I retreat into solitude and meditation, aligning my energy centers, my chakras, in the gentle glow of devotion.

Upon this altar, hand-sculpted deities from the Vedic traditions radiate their ancient energies. Shakti, the divine feminine force, presides alongside the intricate Sri Yantra, a symbol of cosmic harmony. Shiva, the mystic dancer, embodies transformation and transcendence, while Hanuman-Rudra avatar of Shiva-stands as a beacon of healing and unwavering devotion.

Ganesha, remover of obstacles, and Lakshmi, goddess of abundance, are seated gracefully upon their crystals, amplifying my daily intentions with their benevolent presence. Photographs of my beloved parents and the sacred text of the Bhagavad Gita rest nearby, anchoring my heart and guiding my intentions along the path of truth and righteousness.

This altar is the heart of my sanctuary-a space where spirit, tradition, and love converge, supporting my practice and illuminating my journey.

Mala beads of moonstone, turquoise, lapis lazuli strung with rudraksha, hand knotted with cotton tassels, adorns Shiva and the quartz crystal mala synchronizes with the Sri yantra. Ganesha loves red and governs the root chakra, the coral mala beads ground me to earth as I sit in my asana of grounding energy and love. I decorate the altar with candles and incense and fresh flowers, bringing in new energy and love into my home and heart. Altars are divine sacred centers for yoga or meditation and energize the space around them, bringing the resonance of your soul higher.

Your altar is a manifestation of your inner spirit, an expression of your soul and how you identify with the world. Artistic old world elements like antique arches built into the wall makes a beautiful backdrop for my yoga sanctuary. Light and airy sari curtains ruffle in the wind and the handloom cotton throws on the floors are just perfect for sitting. It's my place of solace where I come to re-energize my spiritual energy. The energy grows and multiplies with each mantra and is reflected back to me. It's a beautiful place to meditate and seek inspiration, connect with the universe and grow with the seasons.

The carved barn doors of Saraswati and Vishnu, whitewashed with subtle hues of color seeping through are a divine joy to behold. I used them as the doors into my yoga sanctuary. Old woods are so earthing and grounding and just seeing the ancient carvings takes me into the pure joy of divine bliss.