Task #2

"Yoga is an opportunity to know yourself better. Only you can become the world’s leading expert on your life—but first you must learn how to observe yourself and how you work. In yoga, you are the laboratory. Yoga Lab is a supportive environment where people can gather and share in the spirit of learning, self-discovery, and continued growth" 

(www.statecollegeyogalab.com/about-us/)

Introduction: With the focus of schooling for this informal learning setting, I began to think about spaces in which I view to be scholarly spaces where learning takes place. Typically, in my experience, these spaces tend to be formal learning spaces. When I think about formal learning spaces, I immediately think of structure. I think of planned learning experiences with an objective or goal. In regards to formal learning spaces, Sackey, Nguyen, & Grabill state, "Regardless of whether the pedagogical strategies are student-centered or teacher-centered, the approach to learning focuses on a scaffolded, planned activity connected to curricular goals and outcomes" (2015, p. 113). In many school settings, the spaces are full of planned activities. When I initially thought about a focus on a school setting, I first thought about what we may think of traditionally of schools. I then realized that a school looks different depending on what the student is studying. An artist may go to art school, a  lawyer goes to law school, and a yoga practitioner goes to a yoga studio. The school depends on the student and the subject matter. I chose to spend time at a local yoga studio in State College, PA, Yoga Lab. I chose this location because although it can fluctuate between structured and unstructured, it is a location that continuously holds space for the informal learning to occur. Harrop and Turpin describe the nine attributes that influence decision making related to informal learning space design. As I read through the nine attributes, the one that resonated with me the most in relation to the informal learning space I experienced was the sense of community. Harrop and Turpin state, "Community is about social interactions, support, and sense of common purpose which can be found in shared learning spaces" (2013, pg. 68). One of the assets of the space that became the most evident was the ability for the space to create a sense of belonging and support, while allowing individuals to be on their own learning path. Students in this learning space come to Yoga Lab with a certain sense of common purpose, but are also just "studying along" as each individual has a unique experience. 

Strengths: One of the biggest strengths of this space is the simultaneous opportunities for guided instruction blended with self exploration. What allows this space to be an informal space is the path of learning is guided by the learner. For instance, many students arrive in this space seeking guidance through a vinyasa flow yoga class. Others are looking for an open, safe space to explore their bodies and patterns of movement. Many come for a place to meditate or observe. In this space, these objectives can all happen at the same time. Students are encouraged to treat this space to serve their needs in that particular moment. Another strength of this space is the opportunity for self reflection. One way I observed an opportunity for reflection was in the studio's strong stance of consent based yoga assisting. In my time spent in the studio I used a token in which one side was designated to let the instructor know I would not like to be physically assisted. (Read more about empowerment in yoga here. Knowing that I was given this power immediately made the space comfortable for me. Visually, this space immediately provides comfort as it is well lit, clean, open, and offers a wide selection of props for students to use to support their needs in the space.

                 

Weaknesses: One of the weaknesses of the space is rooted in perceptions of exclusion. Although inclusion could be listed as a potential strength for this particular space, yoga studios in general face preconceived notions of what a yoga studio is and who is welcome in these spaces. Harrop and Turpin mention that one of the objectives of their study was to "determine learners' behaviors, attitudes and preferences in relation to why they select and use informal learning spaces"(2013, pg. 59). One of the weaknesses could possibly be the perception of what a yoga studio is and the attitudes individuals hold toward these spaces. Another weakness of this space is accessibility. Although this space is open to the public and inclusion of all is encouraged, most classes/events cost money, which makes this exclusive to those that can afford it. Another weakness also falls under perception and that is perhaps what kind of learning can happen here. Yoga Lab exists as a space for self exploration and that can transcend beyond physical postures. This is a space that can be used for a study of self in ways decided upon by the individual entering the space, however, I don't believe most people would enter this space without a reasonable level of comfort with the idea of practicing yoga or meditation. 

Opportunities: Not only are there endless possibilities for self exploration in this studio space, but the space also facilitates opportunities for learning to occur. In addition to regular classes, the studio offers meditation that is open to anyone in the community and always completely free. Additionally, there are also "Choose Your Own Adventure" classes in which the space is just an open studio to be used as needed. In addition to these two opportunities for informal learning to take place, there are also opportunities for informal learning imbedded in the more formal learning moments as well. For instance, the studio offers workshops and teacher training programs. Also, through time spent in this space, resources are shared and offered as opportunities to further explore sense of self. New music is learned and shared through streaming platforms such as spotify. Events and symposiums are advertised with the goal to inform. Community dinners, movie nights, group runs and other events are offered as a means of exploration of what it feels like to be part of a community. 

Threats: Being that the studio is a business, there are elements of business that could interfere with this being an informal learning space. For instance, the studio must stay competitive with other similar businesses in order to be able to sustain business and continue offering the space for people to use to learn and explore. 

References

“About Us - Yoga Lab - State College: Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness.” Yoga Lab - State College | Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, 5 Sept. 2019, http://www.statecollegeyogalab.com/about-us/.

Harrop, Deborah, and Bea Turpin. “A Study Exploring Learners Informal Learning Space Behaviors, Attitudes, and Preferences.” New Review of Academic Librarianship, vol. 19, no. 1, 2013, pp. 58–77., doi:10.1080/13614533.2013.740961.

Sackey, Donnie Johnson, et al. “Constructing Learning Spaces: What We Can Learn from Studies of Informal Learning Online.” Computers and Composition, vol. 35, 2015, pp. 112–124., doi:10.1016/j.compcom.2015.01.004.