not just another yoga studio
a.u.m. is a love project begun by Laura Cherry in 2019. She's committed to cultivating radical yoga in New Orleans: yoga reunited with its roots. The practices at a.u.m. represent the full 360˚ spectrum of yoga's rich spiritual history, including sacred mantra, pranayama, dharma and scripture study, meditation, sound healing, and yoga nidra.
For at least 3,000 years, humans have practiced yoga as a spiritual path. The original meaning of yoga is "union with the Higher Self." Only recently did the physical practice of asana become synonymous with yoga. There are countless spaces for us to practice different styles of asana, but where can we go to observe the other seven limbs of yoga that lead to connection with the Divine? a.u.m. does not offer asana simply because there is no need for more. a.u.m. exists to honor the internal practices.
Aum is the original spelling of om, the well-known mantra chanted before and after yoga. Om represents the primordial sound, the vibration of creation, and the hum of the entire universe. By naming her endeavor after the original sound, Laura hopes to honor yoga's origins in a way that can resound with all beings. No prior experience or knowledge of yoga is required. People of all faiths, as well as the non-religious, are welcome. Yoga is not a religion, nor is it exclusive of anyone. a.u.m. is for all.