Studio Spotlight: Jógovna on Practice, Philosophy, and Community

Posted in All > czech republic | April 25, 2026

Cozy room with wooden parquet, shelves of folded blankets and boxes, yoga mats on wall racks, a large window, and an open door to a dining area.

Hidden in a historic Prague passage just steps from Wenceslas Square, Jógovna offers a quiet refuge within the rhythm of the city. Founded by yoga teacher and author Šárka Vojáčková, the studio has grown into Prague’s first official home of Jivamukti Yoga. In this interview, Šárka shares how her journey into yoga led to the creation of a space where movement, music, philosophy, and community come together.

How did you discover yoga, and what was your journey from student to teacher to studio owner?

I discovered yoga during a time when I was looking for more balance in my life. What began as a physical practice slowly became something much deeper. Yoga offered me a way to reconnect with my body, my breath, and a quieter space within myself.

Over time my path led me to the Jivamukti Yoga method. The combination of movement, music, philosophy and compassion resonated deeply with me. It showed me that yoga can be both physically dynamic and spiritually meaningful at the same time.

Teaching yoga felt like a natural continuation of my own practice. As the community around my classes began to grow, the idea of creating a dedicated space for practice slowly emerged. Jógovna was not created from a business plan, but from a simple intention — to create a place where people could arrive, slow down, and reconnect with themselves.

Yoga also became part of my writing. I am the author of three books about yoga. Two of them explore my personal journey into the world of yoga while balancing motherhood, teaching, and running a studio. My most recent book, The Art of Yoga, approaches yoga through both image and reflection. It explores individual āsanas while opening a wider perspective on their meaning, inviting readers to see the practice not only as movement, but as a way of experiencing life more consciously.

Writing has become another way for me to share the practice and the values that shape Jógovna. In many ways, the studio and the books grow from the same place — a desire to explore yoga not only as a practice on the mat, but as a way of living.

Yoga studio with two black mats on wooden floor and wall-mounted racks holding rolled mats, blankets, and yoga blocks.

Can you introduce Jógovna and share how the studio came to life in the heart of Prague?

In the heart of Prague, hidden from the noise of the city, Jógovna was created as a place where people can slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves.

Founded in 2016, the boutique studio is tucked inside a historic passage just a few steps from Wenceslas Square. The space was originally formed by connecting two old apartments, and today high ceilings, wooden floors, and soft natural light give the interior a calm and timeless atmosphere that carries the quiet spirit of old Prague.

Rather than transforming the space completely, we chose to preserve its character and gently complement it with simple contemporary design. All wooden elements were handcrafted by Milan Konečný from KON studio, while the ceiling in the main yoga hall was painted by academic painters Eliška Konečná and Michael Nosek.

Stepping inside, the rhythm of the city slowly fades. Over time, Jógovna became the first official place for Jivamukti Yoga in Prague — a space where practice, community, and moments of stillness naturally come together.

When you first stepped into the Jógovna space, what drew you to it?

What I remember most from the first moment was the feeling of the space itself. Even though the studio is located in the very center of Prague, there was an immediate sense of calm inside.

The space carries the quiet spirit of old Prague. Instead of transforming it completely, we chose to respect its character and highlight the elements that were already there.

Interior of a cozy room with wooden tables, white chairs, a flower vase, stacked cups, yoga mats, and a chalkboard wall schedule.

Jógovna works with a focus of the month. How does this shape your classes?

Within the Jivamukti Yoga method, each month has a global “Focus of the Month” shared by teachers around the world.

The focus is usually based on a verse, sutra, or philosophical idea that connects the physical practice with deeper reflection.

At Jógovna this focus is explored primarily during Jivamukti classes, where teachers weave it into the sequence, music, and short dharma talks throughout the month. In this way, the theme becomes a thread connecting practice, philosophy, and community.

Jivamukti Yoga is rooted in the five pillars: ahimsa, bhakti, nāda, dhyāna, and śāstra. How do these principles show up in your studio?

The five pillars of Jivamukti Yoga form an important foundation of the practice at Jógovna.

Ahimsa, the principle of non-violence, is reflected both in the way we hold space for students and in the studio environment itself. From the beginning we tried to respect the original character of the space, preserving natural materials and creating a welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere.

Bhakti appears through chanting and music. Many of our classes include mantra and harmonium, and we also host regular kirtan gatherings.
Nāda is present through the careful use of music during classes, supporting the rhythm and atmosphere of the practice.
Dhyāna reminds us of the importance of meditation and moments of stillness where students can slow down and observe the breath.
Śāstra represents the study of yoga philosophy. Our teaching is rooted in traditional texts and often includes a short dharma reflection that connects these teachings with everyday life.

Together these principles create the deeper framework that shapes both the practice and the community at Jógovna.

Empty rustic yoga studio with rolled mats and bolsters, and close-up of stacked black yoga mats with red logos.

For someone new to Jivamukti Yoga, what would you recommend as a first class?

For us it is very important that people feel welcome and safe when they enter the studio.

Yoga is not about being perfect. It is about arriving, breathing, and allowing yourself to be present.

For students who are new to Jivamukti Yoga, we usually recommend starting with our Basic Class or the Back to Basics workshops that we regularly offer. These classes allow students to explore the foundations of the practice before stepping into more dynamic flow classes. A gentler style of vinyasa can also be a welcoming starting point.

You also host a podcast. How did it begin?

The Jógovna podcast grew naturally from conversations that often continue after class.

We invite teachers and guests to share their experiences with yoga practice, teaching, and philosophy. Topics usually arise from what feels meaningful for the community at that moment — questions that come from practice, teaching, or everyday life.

In this way, the podcast becomes another space where the dialogue around yoga can continue beyond the studio walls.

Yoga mats on wooden floor beside a retail display of wellness products, clothing, and tote bags in a bright, minimalist shop.

Are there any upcoming workshops or events you’d like to share?

Throughout the year we host visiting Jivamukti teachers from around the world who come to share their practice and perspective with our community.

One of the highlights are our Jivamukti weekends, where students can immerse themselves more deeply in the practice through several classes built around a shared theme. These weekends bring together movement, philosophy, music, and community, creating a beautiful atmosphere of connection.

Information about upcoming workshops and events can always be found on our website or Instagram.

Why did you choose Manduka as your studio equipment partner?

When creating a yoga studio, the choice of equipment becomes part of the overall experience of the practice.

In the early days we experimented with more affordable mats, but quickly realised they were not sustainable for a busy studio environment. They wore out quickly and needed constant replacement.

That experience led us to Manduka.

Manduka mats offer durability and stability that daily studio practice requires. They maintain their quality over time and continue to feel supportive even with constant use.

For us, high quality matters. In a place where people come every day to practice, the details quietly support the atmosphere of the studio and allow students to focus fully on their practice.

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