Pune: For many, the idea of entering a gym or formal studio can still feel daunting. Unfamiliar equipment, seasoned regulars and the pressure of “keeping up” often become barriers before the workout even begins. In Pune, fitness communities are trying to change that by blurring the lines and taking workouts into spaces where people already feel at ease — cafes, pubs, streets, farms and other informal venues.Shunyasthiti by Align Your Prana offers immersive experiences that explore yoga beyond asanas. Hosted by 33-year-old Austin Barboza, who has been practicing yoga for over a decade and teaching for the last four years, sessions have been held across a variety of spaces, including farms, cafés, restaurants, temples, heritage venues and studios. Recently, they were also hosted at High Spirits Cafe in Koregaon Park, known as a nightlife mainstay. “We are trying to make these practices feel more accessible without losing the depth and integrity they come from. Conducting sessions in spaces that communities are already familiar with allows a larger audience to approach yoga and meditation in a more open and personal way,” Barboza told TOI. Khushhboo Suratwala, CEO and co-founder at Align Your Prana, said the gatherings have brought together people from different age groups and professions. “We have hosted everyone from complete beginners to experienced practitioners and even yoga teachers,” she said. The Covid-19 lockdown pushed Khodu Irani, managing partner at High Spirits, and his colleague Shweta Sharma to start using the venue for workouts. “We have the space and so we decided to open it up to other fitness enthusiasts. We reached out to trainers about conducting sessions in open spaces. It was challenging, but now there is huge response,” Sharma said. Bookbar Cafe on FC Road also recently hosted a Pilates session. “Places like ours are more of an informal setting. When people work out in spaces other than gyms and with friends, they are less uncomfortable and more open to exploring something new,” said Pranoti Paralikar, the cafe’s marketing manager. Elsewhere, fitness group Jaago, led by second-year MBA student Prayas Sharma, is reclaiming the streets with workouts on the footpath of ITI Road. “We do ‘street workouts’. I had a job as a fitness trainer and wanted to continue it in a different format. I wasn’t sure how many people would show up because it’s an open space, but we had about 20-25 participants at our first session in March. We created a WhatsApp group for people to join and I just post the updates there. All those who turn up simply come through word of mouth. We tell people beforehand that they must be prepared to get dirty. Our workouts include calisthenic exercises, HIIT workouts, animal flow and yoga,” Prayas said. “I do my best to create a safe and inclusive space. We have a mixed bag of participants from IT professionals and artists to other fitness trainers. The goal is to be consistent and conduct the sessions even if only two people show up,” the 23-year-old added. WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY I have been associated with Jaago for over a year-and-a-half. Street workouts are a great way to meet people from other walks of life. Prayas has started a good platform as it brings together people in a unique way. The fear of working out in the outdoors also vanishes, since so many participants are involved. Unlike a gym where muscle-building is the focus, these street workouts allow for flexibility and mobility training as well, irrespective of your level of experience— Ninad Khanderao | 23-year-old student At the Shunyasthiti session at High Spirits Cafe, we started with an intense physical workout, broke a sweat and then calmed the body down. This was followed by meditation. The process was lovely and gave me a new perspective about the venue, too, as it’s usually not a place where you meditate. Since I’d already been there earlier, I wondered if it would be ideal for meditation, but the experience completely shifted the energy for me — Dione Fernandes | Fashion entrepreneur & content writer
