Upon entering The Bo Tree yoga studio through its inconspicuous entrance on Fourth Street, I am immediately struck by the elegant minimalism of the interior, as well as the soft warmth that permeates the single-room studio. Two splashes of vibrant grass green interrupt the otherwise neutral palette of the space, and its back wall is covered with a large mirror. Orchids and bamboo plants dot the room, and a small fountain trickles lazily away in the corner. Removing my shoes in preparation for the downward dogs to come, I am met with the encouraging give of cork floors beneath my soles.

The aesthetic appeal and inviting ambience of the studio are impressive, to be sure, but this is all to be expected by Davis residents looking for an accommodating space in which to cultivate their yogic practice. A little serenity and an uncluttered space seem to be the least they could ask for, especially in a town where one is not hard-pressed to find venues in which to practice. But those who frequent The Bo Tree may sense that there is something deeper to this feeling of calm, something that extends beneath and beyond the studio’s physical surfaces and basic purpose.