to be

Originally a clothing boutique specializing in Scandinavian fashion, Stil Clothing, was transformed into the meditation oasis, Stil Studio, in 2009. Owner Betty Riaz decided the fashion industry was no longer what she wanted to pursue, instead she began to practice yoga and meditation. Creating an instant connection, she knew she wanted to share this experience and teach others. For Riaz, ‘Stil,’ the Norwegian word for style, took many metaphorical forms, from the style of yoga practiced to the play on the spelling of ‘still.’ Over time, she decided that keeping the spelling of ‘Stil’ would be best for the organization of the brand.

Stil Studio offers many practices of the Tibetan Yogic Tradition. These practices include: yoga, vinyasa, dharma discussions, meditation challenges with Riaz, Tibetan yogic breathing, spa yoga, flow yoga, and fluid yoga. They also offer physical therapy and massages to provide healing for the body. Stil Studio currently has two locations, an indoor and an outdoor location, both in Dedham, Massachusetts.

“When I started practicing yoga, it felt like coming home. The meditation taught me to look inwards and take accountability for my own thoughts and actions,” said Riaz.

Riaz’s goal is to provide a space where people feel that they can release any stress or thoughts that may be weighing them down. Finding a sense of inner peace is an important aspect in the practice. As she expressed, it helped her regain control in a difficult time. This is what initially inspired her to open the studio.

Though yoga and meditation are known for allowing individuals to begin a journey that focuses on the inner self, a mentor or instructor can be beneficial to those just starting out. Co-owner Kevan Gale was introduced to meditation during his college career. He had been on a month-long outdoor retreat for a leadership conference and fell in love with yoga and meditation after one of his instructors introduced him to the practice.

“He [Gale] began his studies at that time and further explored Tibetan Meditation Practices under the guidance of Khenpo Lama Migmar Tseten of Sakya Institute,” said Riaz.

In the business of everyday life, it’s typical for one to forget to put time aside to focus on self-care. Even setting aside a mere five minutes for the practice of meditating can recenter the mind and calm the body as you devote all energy to the act of breathing for that period of time. As you listen to your breathing, you are checking in with each part of your body. This gives you an opportunity to let go of any tension or stiffness that may have gone unnoticed in the normal day-to-day life.

When learning about yoga, it is important to note there is no ‘one type’ or ‘one way’ of coonducting your practice. Commonly overlooked and seen as breathing exercises alone, this surface-level understanding has caused yoga and meditation to be grossly underestimated. Elements of the practice are found in many religions, each having differentiating aspects or beliefs interwoven to create different experiences. However, one does not need to have the same beliefs or be part of said cultures

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in order to try the different varieties of yoga and meditation. One of the biggest virtues of the practice is respect. It is important to recognize and appreciate the connections others may have created between themselves and their experiences with yoga. Keeping respect as the focal point, anyone is welcome to join in.

“Retreating is a beautiful way for a practitioner to step outside of their normal environment to find inner harmony and space,” said Riaz.

Stil Studio offers what they call ‘destination retreats.’ These destinations can range in price and distance. The retreat locations are as close as neighboring towns and as far as France and the United Kingdom. Those partaking in the retreat travel together both to and from the destination. These spirtitual trips provide the students with an experience unlike any other and include an opportunity for the instructor to explore their abilities as a teacher. Practicing yoga and the act of centering oneself is a journey into self-reflection. With the added exposure to new cultures and surroundings, Riaz believes that the retreats deepen the appreciation of the practice even further.

“[One of our goals is] To stay focused on the path of virtue and mindfulness and to continue offering teachings in yoga, philosophy, [and] meditation…for as long as we live,” said Riaz.

Like many others, this lifestyle requires passion and dedication to its practice. However, unlike some, yoga and meditation are inexpensive and don’t take up hours of one’s time during the week. This practice can vary in length, for even a short meditative exercise can be quite beneficial. No membership is needed, once a person has a well-developed knowledge of their chosen practice, an instructor becomes optional.

Yoga and meditation can come into people’s lives for different reasons, whether it be a healing practice or regaining a connection within.

Riaz and Gale, as individuals, have set the goal to take what they have learned and pay it forward. Possibly being the ones to open the door to someone’s love for yoga, these co-owners want to teach people how to apply it to everyday life. Come check out the studio and see what they can teach you about being Stil.

@stil_studio; stilstudio.com

By Erin Tilley

Though Riaz and Gale teach practices centered around the Tibetan Yogic Tradition, there are still several opportunities for growth within their journey. These co-owners have set many goals to expand their horizons and their various kinds of training within the practice. The future of Stil Studio is still in the works, but these instructors want to branch out and span across several locations.

Recreational painting studios have been around for years, sponsoring various activities from paint and sip to seasonally themed projects. Canvas Studio is a creative community art space that hosts specialized painting activities integrating culture, special education, and sensory exploration through art. In 2022, Daphne Walker decided to change the game. She opened the doors to a new type of paint experience, Canvas Studio | The Design Lab.

Before her journey into the creative art and activities business, Walker was employed as a community-based social and health worker. Equipped with a number of degrees ranging from early childhood education to psychology, most of her knowledge of the job came from her experiences in the field. As she worked with the families and other members of her community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she took note of the opportunities to use creativity and innovation to help explore the importance of physical and mental wellness.

After the world reopened to its new normal, she quit her job and began her journey into the unknown. While many had no knowledge of her decision, she made progress in silence. Sharing her ever-changing vision with only a select few family members and friends, she quietly renovated and created the space on Fairmount Ave. While she had no knowledge of business and/or running a creative space, Walker never faltered in her plan letting the community and families she had served guide her in her desire to fill the need for innovation.

“Making the decision to quit my job to open a studio was not something I hesitated to do. I told myself that I was going to do my own thing, having no idea of what it was going to be, but I did know that I wanted to be able to continue the work that I was doing with families in a way that felt more satisfying to me,” said Walker.

After months of cosmetic renovations and planning, Walker welcomed the community into the space with open arms. She wanted the space to be an open forum for culture, acceptance, and socialization. It was time to bring back a place for people to meet like-minded individuals who were ready to re-enter their social community. Walker emphasized the importance of this, as she felt that the past few years caused a disconnect with the power of face-to-face interaction, as this challenges mental health and wellness. This healing, as Walker described it, was necessary for the community. She wanted to provide her customers with an experience that highlighted the importance of unity through differences. For example, the studio’s “Mood Monster” activity emphasizes the importance of recognizing our emotions but also learning about the different roles that the five senses can play in an individual’s life. Walker wanted to give families, like the ones she previously assisted, an intimate setting to develop their understanding of the resources and activities surrounding them. They are not necessarily tailored for them, but tailored for everyone.

“I really enjoy everything that we do, but I am really happy and proud that Canvas Studio was really able to break into the healing, wellness, and cultural acceptance space…for families who you know may need some support with understanding a child’s development, or who may need some support with navigating their child’s sensory needs… it’s been able to provide a centralized accessible place for people to come and find those who are similar to them, and also may have some differences” said Walker.

While the traditional paint space normally holds a larger monetary fee to cover the necessary materials, Walker wanted to keep the emphasis on being together, and she did not want the price of the activities to influence the ability to cater to everyone. A few months in, Walker decided to partner with Cards to Culture, a collaborative brand with multiple state-run organizations. It allows low-income and working families to use their assistance cards and programs to gain access to rich art and cultural experiences throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Walker wanted to make sure that her studio was a part of this program, as she herself experienced the wonderful opportunities provided. She utilized the program, visiting the Children’s Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts along with her daughter. It gave her a sense of relief, with the knowledge that her daughter would not have to miss out on experiences due to a tight budget. Walker wanted her business to create these same experiences for others and partnered closely with the Massachusetts Cultural Council through the process to become a Cards to Culture business.

On and off the canvas, Daphne Walker has painted a beautiful portrait of what it means to be united. She brings the focus of the community together making smooth and clean transitions from isolation to socialization one brush stroke at a time. She teaches us the power of acrylics, and how to transform the medium into advocacy.

@canvasstudioboston; canvasstudiobos.com