Creating an Oasis: The Journey Behind GITA STUDIO's Fusion of Art, Technology, and Holistic Wellness
In the heart of Mexico City, GITA STUDIO stands as a visionary sanctuary, where ancient wellness practices meet cutting-edge technology and artistic expression. Founded by Alejandro, Daniela, and Joss, this innovative space is the result of their individual journeys into holistic wellness and a shared passion for creating a community-driven environment dedicated to personal growth and transformation.
In this interview, the founders delve into their inspiration, the unique intersection of art and well-being, and how GITA STUDIO is poised to become a leading hub for wellness in Mexico City, offering a refuge for those seeking balance, connection, and a deeper understanding of themselves.
How did you first get introduced to holistic wellness practices? How have these practices influenced your life and the development of Gita Studio?
Alejandro, Daniela, and Joss, the partners and founders behind Gita Studio, we each have their unique journey into holistic wellness.
Alejandro, a musician and computer science graduated, initially envisioned GITA STUDIO as a forum that blends technology with art and music, but then decided we could go beyond and incorporate holistic practices like yoga, soundhealing, listening sessions and meditation. His own journey in music and meditation started more than 20 years ago with a meditation technique named "sitting" learned on GuitarCraft courses guided by Robert Fripp, which involves grounding through 64 points on the body. This practice brought him profound calm and clarity, inspiring the creation of a space dedicated to holistic wellness.
For Daniela and Joss, their backgrounds in holistic practices continued to shaped GITA STUDIO into a multifaceted space for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being space.
What was your vision for this unique yoga and wellness space?
GITA STUDIO is envisioned as more than just a physical space; it's a community-driven sanctuary fostering connection and personal growth. We aim to be recognized as a visionary space that integrates art and digital domain to enhance well-being on all levels—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
The coming and going of multiple people is a constant in the world, inside the big cities the social media, shopping malls and jobs make us get lost and absorbed in all of this, then the magic of our transformation is linked to our individuality. To find an oasis away from the crowd, GITA STUDIO dreams to be an oasis in the world available for anyone who is looking for personal growth and transformation.
How do you believe light and visuals impact our state of mind and overall well-being? Can you share how you incorporate these elements into the design and atmosphere of Gita Studio?
We strongly believe that light and visuals play a unique role in deepening our connection with ourselves during wellness practices.
At GITA STUDIO, we meticulously design our environment to facilitate introspection and immersion. Strategic lighting and visual elements not only create ambiance but also support our teachers in crafting thematic and immersive experiences for our classes.
Nature and art can be close to us thanks to technology and digital domain, and with this each of our practices is taken to a new level, where our body practice in presence and our mind allow us to transport ourselves to a forest, a painting or an artistic visual, together with other people experiencing the same thing at the same time.
We incorporate lights and visuals in two ways, firstly we have Chroma Room with the capacity to generate millions of color combinations, gradients, movement and color change at different tempos with the possibility to define time lines to create experience base in color and emotions, secondly, we have Zenses Room with visual projections over a wall with 100 square meters with a 15.1 dolby atmos audio system to create different atmospheres and experiences.
What are your thoughts on the intersection of art and well-being? How do you feel about integrating artistic expressions into wellness practices, and do you have any examples of how this is done at Gita Studio?
TeamLab, and art collective from Japan founded by Toshiyuki Inoko says that Digital Domain can expand art, and we sustain that “Art can expand wellness and well-being”.
Art is a reflection of the universe, the nature and the life is inside everything we do as humans, we are like mirrors, and we reflect that we receive and perceive. If we are available and present, we can notice, appreciate, assume, and thereby transform the beauty of these three elements into a work of art.
In the same way, if we take a wellness space and design it especially to project and reproduce visual arts and sound inside of it, and while that happens, we carry out a deep practice of some activity that demands the involvement of our mind, spirit and body such as a session of yoga, meditation, breathwork, etc., what occurs is a refraction of all of this this in our daily life, in consequence art and well-being is combined and fused, that inspired us and connected with us, in the search to make everyday life different for anyone who comes to GITA STUDIO, and thereby reflect and shares that to the world.
Art is integral to well-being as it offers a holistic approach by addressing emotional, psychological, and physical aspects.
At GITA STUDIO, we are open to integrate artistic expressions into our practices to enrich the overall experience. For instance, we collaborate with musicians to create meditation landscapes using different musical instruments or electronic devices, enhanced by our Dolby Atmos surround system. Such collaborations not only elevate the practice but also deepen the transformative impact of our sessions.
We also seek to collaborate with visual artists in order to display their work in our high definition projectors so that we create deeper meaningful classes and experiences.
Many musicians, spiritual guides, and visual artists are and will collaborate with GITA STUDIO sharing their art in our space to share that with our community, and to give us the opportunity to evolve as a wellness studio, to a art-wellness studio.
What exciting events, workshops, or new offerings do you have planned next at Gita Studio? How do you envision the future of your wellness space evolving?
We are constantly evolving and expanding our offerings at Gita Studio.
Currently, we are exploring new workshops featuring collaborations with creators, musicians, and holistic facilitators. For example, upcoming events include immersive sound healing sessions and innovative yoga workshops that integrate technology and art.
Looking ahead, we envision GITA STUDIO becoming a venue recognized for its cutting-edge technology and transformative wellness experiences, and it is certainly our goal to evolve to find the perfect balance in best integrating the digital domain to expand the art and well-being.
How do you see Gita Studio impacting the local community in Mexico City? What kind of community engagement or outreach do you prioritize?
GITA STUDIO was conceived as a “wellness studio of the future” not only because it incorporates elements of audiovisual technology in each of its practices, but because we are convinced that ancient practices can be combined with artistic manifestations of different kinds and from there expand the concept of well-being.
We individually and collectively need to create a safe space of well-being, an small oasis, that allows us to counteract the daily onslaught that we face when living in large cities and in a society governed by digital media that absorbs us so much.
One of our dreams is to create an oasis in Mexico City, that give the local community a separated space from the bustling city life. Our outreach focuses on accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone can benefit from our classes, immersive visuals, and thoughtfully curated space, thereby solidifying our position as a leader in wellness in Mexico.
We believe wellness should be a primary need, we all deserve to be better people. So we are open to receive everyone interested in experimenting and seeking personal transformation.
Mexico City is known for its vibrant culture and wellness scene. What are your top recommendations for wellness spots in the city, including yoga studios, meditation centers, and healthy eating spots?
Mexico City offers a diverse array of wellness activities.
For meditation, we recommend places like Safe Space at Casa Primm.
Yoga enthusiasts can explore studios in vibrant neighborhoods like Blanco Yoga in Roma, Agoralucis in Polanco and Tetetlan in Pedregal.
For healthy dining options, these same areas offer excellent choices, reflecting the city's rich culinary scene and commitment to well-being. Some restaurant names that Ojo de Agua, Los Losers, Forever Vegano for vegans, Dal Koren Food, PENDIENTE.
Scents are part of our approach to wellness at Gita Studio, as they have a profound impact on our emotional state. Do you have a favorite scent that you find particularly calming or uplifting? How do you incorporate it into your daily routine?
At GITA STUDIO, we prioritize sensory experiences, including scent. Our lobby always carries the soothing aroma of freshly brewed tea, we have a unique and special tea design by Te Quinto whose ingredients are Roibos, Vanilla and Berrys, which complements our commitment to holistic well-being. Additionally, our sessions often conclude with the gentle diffusion of essential oils, enhancing relaxation and promoting a deeper sense of tranquility for our community.
We love tea a lot and offer an organic cup at the end of our classes. Can you tell us about your Gita blend and how it represents your values?
From the outset, we envisioned Gita Studio as a holistic haven, which includes offering a specially curated tea blend to our community. Our Gita blend, created in collaboration with a local brand Té Quinto, features rooibos with berries and vanilla, among other elements. This blend not only promotes relaxation but also reflects our values of creating a comprehensive sensory experience that supports our community's well-being after each session.
Lastly, do you have a mantra you live by? Or maybe an affirmation that brings you comfort these days?
“WE DESERVE TO BE BETTER PERSONS.”
Growing is not the aim, to go deeply in the wisdom is.
Breathe and hear your own voice, feel and sense the old one.
Tradition remains in practice. We can change to recover the beauty of the past, to sustain better the present, to raise the future that still belongs to us.
"WE BEGIN AGAIN CONSTANTLY" (Robert Fripp Aphorism).
This second mantra encapsulates our commitment to renewal and growth. This mantra inspires us to continuously evolve in Gita Studio, ensuring that each day brings new opportunities for our community to thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and begin again everyday.
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