Terra Sol Sanctuary—Wilmington, North Carolina
When I travel, I try to practice yoga at whatever studio is near my hotel. I’ve practiced in Naples, Florida...Placerville, California...Wellfleet, Massachusetts...Asheville, North Carolina...Harrisonburg, Virginia...and elsewhere. I like seeing new studios and meeting different teachers and have found every place and person to be special.
But, as memorable as these studios have been, none has been as memorable as Terra Sol Sanctuary in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Located in Wilmington’s historical Castle Street arts and antiques district, this former Baptist church was built in 1877. In 1992, it became St. Jude’s Metropolitan Community Church, ministering especially to the LGBTQ community before evolving once again—into an antiques store for a local collector/shopkeeper.
Then, in 2016, Terra Sol Sanctuary ushered in a new era, changing what was originally a one-room church into a yoga studio and event space that is as welcoming as it is beautiful.
The gorgeous heart pine floor, walls, and ceiling are warmed from light coming through the stained glass windows. There is a “stage” for the teacher—white singing bowls lined up in the back and plants flanking both sides. The tiny entryway has windows into the studio and a bench and cubbies for shoes. Even the bathroom is charming with its dark gray river rocks resting in the sink and a plant adding a bit of greenery to the space.
And then there are the teachers.
I have a few favorite yoga teachers from all of my travels: Stacy from the Harris YMCA in Charlotte and Danielle Justus, who (when I took her classes) taught at a lovely hot yoga studio in Davidson, North Carolina. They set the bar high because they are such incredibly gifted teachers.
BUT...I must say that Alexis, Jacqui, Georgia, Brian, and Amy at Terra Sol Sanctuary are off-the-charts great. (Other teachers there are wonderful, too.) Each of them offers music and humor and focus that touch me and seem to bring out the best in my for my practice.
Out of curiosity (and because Terra Sol Sanctuary was once St. Jude’s Metropolitan Church), I looked up St. Jude and learned that he is the “Patron Saint of Lost Causes.” St. Jude also is said to be a “testament to standing firm in religious truth in the face of an ever uncertain and challenging world.”
I certainly feel that today’s world is uncertain and challenging. It can be a scary place these days! But I also believe that yoga has helped me navigate my world by helping me become more centered and balanced—physically as well as spiritually. How fitting that I have now “found” a studio that holds these ideas close and that has created a welcoming community for everyone.
