Grief is messy, uncomfortable, and something we’re often taught to “move on” from—but a unique yoga class in Glasgow is flipping that narrative on its head. “Yoga for the Dead,” hosted at the Kali Collective in the city centre, is helping people confront their grief and get comfortable with the idea of death in a safe, supportive environment. Intrigued? So were we.
Nestled in an office block on Washington Street, the Kali Collective isn’t your typical yoga studio. Upon entering, you’re greeted by a striking image of Kali, the Hindu Goddess of creation and destruction, her severed-head symbolism serving as a powerful reminder of life’s duality. It’s an unexpected, yet fitting introduction to evenings of sound, movement, and ritual designed to honour those we’ve lost.
These sessions are open to everyone, regardless of fitness level or yoga experience. You set up your mat, create a small altar for someone you’ve lost, and dedicate your practice to their memory. The room remains silent, fostering a reflective atmosphere where the unspoken weight of grief is shared but never judged.
Guiding the sessions is Steph Wall, the founder of the Kali Collective, who moved to Glasgow from Calgary in 2015. Alongside her is therapist Laura Wright, there to support those processing particularly intense emotions, and musician Scott Cowie, who uses music and mantra to help guide participants through their grief.
“Yoga teaches us how to be in the tension of life’s experiences, like being with grief, and how to feel it fully,” says Steph. “It’s not just a physical practice; it’s very mental and emotional too. We don’t have an answer for grief, we aren’t trying to fix anything—we just provide a space you can come into with your sadness.”
Attendees are encouraged to feel whatever comes up, with Steph noting, “Everyone is crying. You’re all allowed to cry. I’m crying, you’re crying. It’s okay.” This openness stands in stark contrast to Western society’s typical approach to grief, where we’re often expected to keep our feelings private and quickly return to “normal” life.
One of the regular attendees, Kirsty Ainsworth, has found solace in these sessions since 2016. Kirsty’s mother passed away when she was just 15, and her father died 16 years later, both losses deeply impacting her. Now 34 and training to be a grief counsellor, Kirsty says, “It’s important to address grief, not hide it. YFTD provides a nice way of allowing it to be present. We’re all in the room together, having experienced this difficult thing. It’s not about feeling good, but about feeling understood and supported.”
Steph’s approach is as much about community as it is about confronting grief. “In Western society, we don’t deal with death well; we grieve, we drink, then we try to bury the feeling. By locking grief away, we miss out on so many opportunities to live more fully. Grief is a great teacher, there’s so much wisdom to be learned but we often don’t take the time to listen in.”
The Kali Collective’s unique setting—complete with moody lighting, gentle movement, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack—creates a space where grief can be explored rather than suppressed. Whether it’s mourning a loved one, a pet, or simply offering support, attendees find comfort in the shared experience. As Steph puts it, “Everyone is grieving something or someone, and these sessions give you the chance to be around people who understand and who feel the same way.”
In addition to Yoga for the Dead, the studio also hosts Death Cafes, where tea, cake, and open conversations about death aim to further destigmatize the subject. The Kali Collective offers a total of 40 classes per week, spanning its original space and a new hot yoga studio.
If you’re curious about exploring your own relationship with grief or simply want to try something a little different, the next Yoga for the Dead session is happening on Saturday, 28 September at 4pm.
Find more details and book your spot at kalicollective.com.
