Dream Cathedral

Her love affair with yoga began in 1971 when, at 16 years of age, she arrived at the Krishnamurti School in England from her home in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The young woman’s adventure started with all of the students’ introduction to yoga.

Lais Da Silva had always been athletically oriented, but yoga seemed to offer so much more than fitness and flexibility. It also brought an element of clarity and vibrancy, which has enhanced her life ever since. Quickly, she was hooked and yoga became a practice that is the background tapestry to all that she does.

“I was really impressed at how centered, how quiet it made me feel . . . in this alive way. I had always thought yoga was something slow and gentle; mostly for relaxation. But I discovered it can be very powerful – extremely active and enlivening. It reaches so deep, transforming me,” she responds softly with a certainty borne from years of experience.

Arriving in the states in ‘74, after four years in England, Lais eventually made her way to Santa Barbara, California, where she’s lived and worked since 1985 as a massage therapist and acupuncturist. Just seated in her presence, one feels the healing nature of her being. Though her business was going very well, she had a recurring vision of a wonderful place where many different styles and forms of yoga could be offered to the community. . . her community.

“It became a quiet obsession,” says Lais. “Whenever I did my personal yoga practice or taught a class out of my home studio, this sense of vitality, of being alive would feed my dream. I just wanted to turn everybody on to yoga! And what better way than to open a yoga center bringing all of the area’s best teachers together in one place.”

Many years and much searching later, Lais, in 1991, discovered a most beautiful space. It was the perfect building. Her dream space was located on Micheltorena Street, still in Santa Barbara, and had actually been a church prior to the present occupants. Unfortunately, it was unavailable, at that time.

“It was an art gallery for many years, but when I saw the high, 20-foot ceilings . . . huge skylights and stained-glass windows, I knew with absolute certainty that this was the place,” she remembers. “The atmosphere was so very special – it had the touch of magic that I had been looking for that was a necessary external factor to match the magic of the internal experience of yoga.”

Within a couple of weeks, Lais received a phone call, which stunned her. Gary Brown, the artist who had shown her this magical space, discovered that the art gallery in the church was going to close! A few weeks later she and her partner, Richard Dunlap, were signing the lease on the cathedral of her dreams. On May 2, 1992, the Santa Barbara Yoga Center was opened to the public. Beginning with 15 classes a week, they have expanded to two studios, today, and offer nearly 80 classes.

“This building is so special,” she says with genuine sincerity as we sit outside on the patio beneath a huge shade tree. The neighborhood feels cozy. “People tell me, ‘I’ve never seen such a beautiful yoga center.’ It’s like, when you walk into a church – the physical space opens you up to do your practice. You have an awareness of something larger than yourself. The consciousness of something sacred.” She alludes to the lingering energy of the structure’s one-time mission.

The Yoga Center is home to over 20 instructors with experience varying from one year to more than 24 years. They offer teacher trainings for the students who have been there so long that they’re ready to move forward. Several pupils have become teachers at the center, after the process. Most classes average 15 people with the largest classes hovering near 30 participants. Beginning classes introduce yoga to the public including basic postures with correct alignment, plus breath work.

“The class environment is better for beginners. Before you’ve discovered the depths of yoga, you’re not as disciplined and unaware of all that it can give you,” instructs Lais with the assurance of someone who has been teaching since she was 17. “I’ve had people tell me ‘I can’t do yoga. I can’t even touch my toes!’ Yoga starts with your own personal edge. It doesn’t matter if you ever touch your toes. It is the process that is important.”

Through Lais the Yoga Center is committed to presenting as many styles of yoga to as many people as possible; from very gentle and quiet forms to extremely powerful and dynamic postures, or something in between. Yoga can be straight-forward physical or encompass the deeper spiritual tones. In either case, by incorporating the breath, yoga always goes beyond the physical realm.

“When you bring in the breathing, you start to involve the mind. Breathing stills the mind . . . changes it,” she exhales softly in demonstration. “The breath integrates body and mind. It is a bridge between physical and non-physical. It makes yoga . . . yoga.”

The Santa Barbara Yoga Center has always enjoyed the feel of a community center with its family of teachers and class members gathering for parties, events, hikes or even dances. It hasn’t focused solely upon the classes. Soon, Lais will offer a bookstore, perhaps, or a refreshment nook with teas and such. Yoga clothing will be available, also, at the ever-blossoming Yoga Center.

“I had been searching for a sense of community, here in Santa Barbara. This was going to be my last try,” concludes Lais in somber contemplation. “But several guardian angels, physical and otherwise, have also envisioned my dream. And with the continuing support of the community, we hope the magic continues.”

Another student, probably a friend, as well, walks into class, smiling and waving at this lovely Latin lady who’s vision can now be seen by all who choose to participate or just stop by.

“It’s been such a joy for me to create. Because it’s fun to hang out, here. I get a good feeling coming to the center. People are happy here.”

The Kat