Rocky’s Yoga Lab
Nurturing Mind, Body, and Spirit Through Community
When the world shut down on March 15, 2020, several members of Stanford DCI’s Class of 2019 decided to continue their yoga group online. Their initial goal was to practice for 100 consecutive days. They went beyond that. On December 10, 2022 the group celebrated 1,000 days of practice. Now in their sixth year together, their virtual sessions continue to flourish, encompassing yoga and much more.
The Yoga Guru
Rocky Blumhagen arrived at Stanford in September 2019 when he and his husband, Richard Royse, joined the Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute, Class of 2019. At that time he chose to go deeper with his passion for yoga. With over 30 years of experience as a practitioner, including several years as an instructor, Rocky holds teaching certificates in Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, along with Yoga for Healthy Aging. He is especially passionate about integrating the body, mind, and spirit, with a focus on supporting older adults in their wellness journeys. Sharing his love of yoga with his cohort is a natural complement to the three interconnected pillars of the DCI program: Purpose, Community and Wellness.
Rocky Blumhagen (DCI 2019)
The Community
The original participants of Rocky’s Yoga Lab were members of his DCI cohort. Initially meeting inside a space within the Stanford Law School, they planned to practice yoga together until June 2020 when their DCI year would conclude. Then came the unexpected global shutdown on March 15, 2020. “We all thought we would be home for a week or two,” commented Rocky. “That’s when I suggested we take our yoga online, and it all began. We practiced every day for 100 days.” They exceeded their original goal. Thirty-three months later, on December 10, 2022, the group celebrated 1,000 days of practice.
Members of Rocky’s Yoga Lab commerated 1,000 days of practice on December 10, 2022 (photo collage created by Suzanne Bayles).
Commitment & Dedication
To cultivate such a long-lasting yoga group, it is essential to have a strong and committed leader. Rocky’s dedication has fostered an environment of loyalty and camaraderie among participants.
The impact of practicing Kundalini yoga with Rocky resonates deeply within the group. Melanie Karsen (DCI 2019), one of the founding members, shared, “developing a consistent yoga practice wasn’t something I would have pursued on my own, yet it has become a cornerstone of my life.” Mireya Vargas (DCI 2019) who participates remotely from Madrid Spain, echoed this sentiment, “Being consistent in returning to the mat in such a chaotic and demanding external world is no small feat. That is why the combination of posture routines and breathing exercises – together with an approach to meditation – facilitate progressive relaxation, internalisation and expansion, contained within an invaluable community.”
The Transformative Power of Yoga: Mind-Body-Spirit
“Our breath is the connector between the postures, and yoga is about connecting the body, mind and spirit. Our breath is the key.”
– Rocky Blumhagen
Susan Calandra (DCI 2019) reflected on her journey, “for as long as I can remember, I’ve prioritized both physical and spiritual health. Managing stress while balancing motherhood and my career was always a challenge. Despite trying various stress-reduction methods, nothing stuck until I joined Rocky’s classes. Five years later, I practice regularly, and Kundalini yoga has transformed my life. Under Rocky’s guidance, yoga has transitioned from an intimidating concept to a vital part of my wellness routine, providing me with tools to navigate stress and cultivate inner peace.”
Physical activities like walking or cycling often foster community. Rocky’s “Yoga Lab” established at Stanford in 2019 has elevated the community bond to a new level. Together, the group has faced the challenges of a global pandemic, demonstrating resilience and support for one another. By committing to both themselves and each other, they pushed beyond their individual comfort zones, accomplishing feats they once believed were impossible. Thanks to Rocky Blumhagen’s gentle leadership, their journey has been transformative, positively influencing their physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being. They remind us all of the powerful impact that a mindful practice can have, extending far beyond the mat.
Several members of the Yoga Lab gather with friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico after a closing session at the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), April 2025.
Why “Yoga Lab”?
The name “Yoga Lab” actually originated because of Jack Keene, MD (DCI 2019), who was our wellness guru – consistently sharing resources about health and longevity. The yogis would collaborate from time to time and gradually felt they were engaged in a wellness lab. From that point on Rocky began referring to the classes as the “Yoga Lab.”
Learn more
Rocky Blumhagen - Yoga, Mindfulness, Breathwork (website)
What Does a 1000 Day Commitment Really Mean?
By Kristin Goldthorpe, Stanford DCI, Communications Manager