Friday, November 20, 2015

Creating Connection at Your Table

As human beings, we are constantly in search of connection. We want to connect with each other, and we want to connect on a deep level with something great inside of us and around us. An essential element of a yoga studio is facilitating an environment where connection is possible. It is no surprise, then, that a yoga studio owner has some inside knowledge of how to connect people through a simple dinner. Here are some tips from Vanda's table, where our teachers meet annually for a Thanksgiving Dinner.

  1. Less fuss and more fun. Keeping things simple is one way to make everyone feel comfortable. Rather than creating a 'formal' environment for our dinner, Vanda set a rustic table outside, lit by dozens of tiny lights and heated by a space heater and fire. The mismatched plates and chairs felt chic and intentional
  2. Let your guests participate. Playing host is fun, but most people love the chance to showcase their own contributions to a party. As your guests to contribute a side dish, dessert or bottle of wine (or non-alcoholic wine in the case of so many of our yoga teachers!). Allow your guests to share food with each other, and if they are not inspired to share food, guests can always contribute a playlist, some flowers for place settings or help wash the dishes. You may have heard it's bad form to allow your fiends to wash dishes at your house, but it's actually an intimate invitation to allow them to take a lead role even when in your home. So, when you're planning a party and someone asks to help, take them up on the offer!
  3. Plan one simple, shared activity. We've all been to those baby showers with game, game, game. Those parties feel like more work than simple connection, but it's also nice to make sure all your guests come together for at least one special activity. It can be a simple toast, photo slideshow, meditation or - in our tradition - a gratitude circle. As we share our gratitude for each other and our community, we immediately feel connected.
  4. Skip the "decorations" that will end up in a landfill and opt for simple additions to your table. Decorate your table with fallen branches or cut flowers from your yard. Opt for candles or colorful water jugs to add ambience. If you are going to purchase decorations, try to keep them simple enough that you can use them again and again. Our table was set with LED candles (buy them once and reuse them forever), jars of lavender, a simple burlap runner and rings of moss.
  5. Do you know Doodle.com? If you are planning an intimate dinner with less than 20 people, use this site to help pick a date. This is not feasible for larger groups, but it simplifies the planning process for smaller groups.
  6. Nothing is more important than good lighting and great music. 
SHARE:

No comments

Post a Comment

BLOGGER TEMPLATE MADE BY pipdig