The Art of Yoga

By Natalie Downey

It’s more than a practice, it’s an art, and for the owner of Art of Yoga, Christopher Wilkes, yoga has become a language of wholeness, balance, restoration, and self-care.

Christopher Wilkes

“I began practicing yoga at a time where I felt I was getting old at a young age, overcoming heart break, and feeling introspective,” Christopher recalls. At the age of 21, he was living with chronic back pain that made it difficult just to get out of bed in the morning. “I needed relief,” Christopher says. I was reading much more during this time and my curiosity became ignited. A book called Do You! mentioned that yoga and meditation can be beneficial in personal growth as well as addressing pain, and, willing to give it a try, he followed along at home with a yoga show on television.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Christopher admits. But, he managed to finish his first yoga class, and by the end of it, his back pain had gone away. That night, Christopher remembers having some of the best sleep of his life, and he was sold on the benefits of yoga from that day on.

“I got to the point where I was feeling so good that I wanted to share that same good feeling with other people. I was like, ‘Have you tried yoga? Have you tried yoga?’“ Christopher laughs. After informally teaching some family and friends and getting positive feedback on his teaching style, he realized he’d like to teach at a studio on a regular basis. As opportunities opened up, Christopher began teaching around the city and became more connected in the yoga community, eventually settling into teaching at Art of Yoga.

After building a reputation for himself as The Yoga Doctor, Christopher had the opportunity to purchase the studio, and became the owner of Art of Yoga in December of 2018. Becoming owner gave Christopher the opportunity to define his vision for it. "At Art of Yoga, we have yoga for all shapes, all sizes, all colors, all creeds. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are. That’s what Art of Yoga means to me,” Christopher says.

“Yoga is an investment in your health - in your body, mind, spirit and well-being,” Christopher explains. It was important to Christopher that the practice was accessible to everybody. It’s no secret that in the Bible belt, there are misconceptions about yoga which sometimes keep people from giving it a try. Christopher hopes his work in the community is helping to demystify the practice of yoga.

“A lot of people have this impression that yoga is a Hindu religious practice. This misconception blocks people from experiencing something that’s really beneficial,” he says. “Rather the yoga practice is about connecting more intimately with the “God” creation force that lives inside of and flows through you as well as all around you. It’s a science and art of finding universal oneness with all, by discovering harmony, peace, and love inside yourself.

With a passion for making yoga accessible to everybody in the community, Christopher has worked with schools, military groups, mental health organizations, and athletic groups. “It has led me to realize I could do more in the community if I have an organization dedicated to doing community outreach,” Christopher explains. So, in February of this year, he started a nonprofit called Art of Wellbeing, a 501(c)(3) that makes complimentary wellness activities accessible on a donation basis and furthers his mission to break down the barriers keeping people from experiencing the benefits of yoga.

Yoga is an art that Christopher has devoted his life to practicing. This summer, Art of Yoga moved into a new studio which offers a welcoming, warm invitation to come try a class. Spacious, comfortable, and reverently calm, the studio is set up with pride as a haven from the demands of life, a place to recharge and take the time to listen to your body’s quiet wisdom. But perhaps the most unique thing about Art of Yoga is The Yoga Doctor himself, with his intuitive attention to every individual who steps onto a yoga mat in the studio.

Christopher Wilkes

Christopher has an instinct for connecting with his students on a personal level, giving cues with respect to each person’s specific situation. An understanding of the movement of the body and how to respond to pain comes from his own personal experience with pain, and Christopher uses his knowledge to help others find relief. “I don’t treat the yoga practice like a one-size-fits-all approach,” Christopher explains.

With a wide variety of class offerings, Art of Yoga is accessible to everyone, inviting everybody to take the time to slow down, breathe, and connect. “Art isn’t limited to one color,” Christopher says, “It’s made up of lots of colors, shapes, and brush strokes.” The colors of the art of yoga are painting the local community in shades of hope and healing, connectedness, and inclusion. It all flows together, like an art.

The future looks colorful at Art of Yoga, as Christopher and his team settle into their new location at 4924 Armour Road in Columbus. The community is invited to join them for a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration, scheduled for October 14 at noon.

Art of Yoga classes take place each day of the week and are open to all skill levels. Visit artofyogacolumbusga.com for the class schedule.