B ) LIGHT

Figure 36 Ashtanga Yoga Chile – Windows are placed around the building, at high and low levels to avoid direct exposure to sunlight and allow natural cross ventilation.

[ 1 ] Daylight Sunlight is essential for our healthy mind and body. This play of light for good health and activity is much needed in our designs. Its effect depends on its exposure duration, intensity. For the purpose of wellbeing north and morning east light are preferred. But for wellness its requirements differ according to the function For Yoga and any other physical wellness activity – Optimum Daylight is required For Meditation activity – Calm, dark spaces with sparing lights are required The use of lighting in the interiors for the sense of wellbeing emerges back from the Ancient Indian temple architecture where the transition of spaces from lightness and darkness, which holds the idea of transformation of the unmanifestation to manifestation. These were designed keeping in mind the sun’s orientation the temples were built for a short-term wellbeing during those times to relief people from their stress, but if same principles applied to bring in those architectural elements for healing can help people relieve their stress. Meditation caves from the Buddhist period were dark completely for better focus of mind, similarly many modern architects have used these concepts for wellbeing.

Figure 37 UNESCO Meditation Centre by Tadao Ando – By creating a transition from bright area to dark interiors

Figure 38 The Meditation Hall, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, New Delhi

In the Figure 38 The Meditation hall at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, it is inspired from the Buddhist Chaitya hall. The very contrast of diffused lighting in the interior and warm lighting in the exterior contributes in creating Meditative Environment. The various levels created with the vaulted and pitched roof enhancing the calm experience. The light color of roof reflecting the solar radiation, and east west side with lesser glazing with the double skin Corners, Natural ventilation is achieved.

Figure 39 Shreyas Retreat, Bangalore

Figure 39 – Inclining the opening on eastern façade of the yoga area to bring in maximum of morning sun inside the Yoga Hall

Figure 40 Meditation Hall, Eastern China

In Figure 40 the Meditation hall is enclosed by a double-layered cavity structure and from the horizontal gaps between wooden louvers, the soft natural light is reflected by the water into the main hall.

Figure 41 Semi open Group Yoga Areas, Shreyas Retreat

Figure 42 The Sadhana Hall, Isha Yoga Centre

Figure 42 - The empty space between 6 arches covered with copper-painted aluminum shields, living the spaces for natural lighting and ventilation. Also, in this space any sound

was enhanced. For example, the Brahmadanda Swaroopa chanted by Brahmacharis kept resounding in the vault like structure.

[ 2 ] Temperature - Comfort

Figure 43 Strategies used to maintain optimum temperature inside

Figure 44 Section explaining the lighting techniques to create Meditative ambience

To reduce mid – summer sun effects the were reduced by using fins to the east and west, and opening on north and south side were maximized for minimal heat transfer.