The Old Barn

The Old Barn is located in what is quite possibly one of the best city parks between both coastlines, a soothing and calming space for healing arts such as yoga, meditation, and other alternative therapies. A few months back they started offering a new class on Sundays, and this alone has been motivation enough to make the drive into Glasgow. Classes are on a drop-​in basis, which is practical for the schedule-​challenged and commitment-​phobes out there. Certainly there isn’t a dearth of yoga studios and instructors around, however for me the space is just as important as the teacher, and the Old Barn lacks in neither atmospheric hospitality nor simplistic beauty — both of which have helped me ease into the stretches. I’m no pretzel, but doctor’s orders have me engaging in the practice, and despite myself, I’ve actually come to like and even enjoy it. Part of this certainly has something to do with the open environment and warm people I’ve met thus far in the yoga world, and the crew at the Old Barn are certainly no exception — truly wonderful souls.
I have a soft spot in my heart for all things barn-​related, which is how we stumbled upon the location after a serendipitous conversation and follow-​up round of google-​ing. Oh you could take this barn-​affinity in any manner of your choosing, but it’s meant in a purely innocent one, very closely tied to frequent happy memories of being out in the country, oozing with fresh air seeping out the pores. Not even 10 minutes from the city center, the stone structure has been refurbished into a beautiful venue for freelance instructors to hire for their various art and healing courses. It’s not just a stone-​cold (pun-​intended!) money making venture, the evidence of which includes the fact that they don’t rent out the barn for private parties, weddings or corporate gigs. Instead they have dedicated the barn to promoting culture and bringing people together, giving teachers an affordable way to share their various arts.
Whether for their yoga offerings or special events, or just to check out the space while visiting Pollok Country Park, do take a wee gander at the place. Even in the chilled winter months it has been a space of welcoming and inviting warmth (they’ve an old wood burning stove!). Certainly it’s only going to get better as the spring begins to thaw everything and everyone out.
One final blurb worth including here, taken directly from their website:
«The downstairs of The Old Barn is home to the Scottish arm of the South African NGO, The Bookery. We collect second-​hand books to help build libraries in disadvantaged schools in South Africa.»
«We are looking for donations of fiction and non-​fiction books for age 5 through to 18. Adult books are also welcome — we sell all unsuitable books for £1/​book to help pay for the shipping to South Africa. Please drop all donations off in The Old Barn. The door is always open.»