The Yoga Spider is a stable structure for yoga that can be utilized but not only one person but a whole class. It is a free standing unit that has a great amount of spots to stretch and add attachments. With a ring on top, the two rings placed around the legs, and feet attached to the bottom this final model is extremely secure. It was imperative that our final design was as steady as possibly because when used to it's fullest potential this stucture would have to hold the full weight of one (or more) people. We also added as many circles possible throughout the structure to ensure enough options of places where bands, ropes, handles etc. could be tied. The legs and rings are also spaced at an approprotate distance from each other so that when the attachments are tied on you can utilize all areas of the structure (inside and out). The bottom ring is also placed in a perfect spot to place your legs. We also have enough spots to tie attachents for a whole yoga class to have a band tied to the outer edge. If built to full scale this would be 7 feet tall. Another great aspect of the yoga spider is that is is easy to store. Not only can you keep this in a studio as it is, but all the pieces are able to easily detach frm one another and can be stored in a closet or rested against a wall. Overall, this Yoga Spider is very useful and would be great to have while doing yoga!

Brainstorming for the Problem: 

     Our project began with tackling the problem of yoga studios not having the best yoga props to assist further extensions or progression in a particular yoga pose. We attended a yoga class and understood how the body, muscles and forces work in certain yoga poses. At first, we believed that a yoga box would be the best because it would assist the person while trying to extend and stretch their body while also being used in the yoga classroom for multiple people. As seen  in the sketches, the yoga box would contain props on the side that could be used for different functions. For example, a yoga band could be attached on the corner of the ceiling in order to help the person stretch from an elevated source. We also created the idea of inserting holes or slits on the sides of the walls in order to allow props to be attached to those walls. We thought this was a very clever idea that could be tangible and very helpful  in the yoga studio.

Ideas in Action:

      After the creation of our first prototype using the 3D software Rhino we were critiqued and given ideas about how we could improve our product. While creating our product on rhino we made it to a 1/8th scale and later realized that in real life it would be too large. Realistically, the yoga box would be a yoga "room" and the other issue was the lack of focus on a certain type of yoga pose. We simply had too much going on with all the poses, assistance and props.

New Addtions:

     We decided that we would stick to the standing poses and the extension of those muscles when using our prop. This lead us to creating the yoga spider. We deviated from the box form and decided the dome form with holes would be the best. The extra application side for attachment of props and a full 360 degree of use. After sketching and creating certain props we realized our greatest challenge was stability. Therefore, we moved the one ring at the top to the middle and added feet. We later realized that we needed two rings with notches and feet with notches. The addition of notches on the feet and the rings were the best adjustment we've made to our yoga spider prototype. It really tackled the issue of stability and allowed the overall prop to also be taken a part and stored easily. The addition of holes all around the two rings that spiral around the person using the prop added to more adjustment and mobility. These holes give the person more options for areas of extension and stretching. After, the issue of stability was tackled we also realized the ring at the top was essential and shouldn't be taken out because it holds the three legs together. Therefore, we also implemented notches and another hole in the top ring that allows the person to also attach another prop.

What We Learned: 

     Overall we were happy with our final piece and the numerous challenges we overcame! We came a long way from a box to a spider. This studio taught us that it is important when making yoga props to focus it on a certain type of move or position because it guarantees more use and increases the value of the product. If we were to continue with this project we would implement some type of stable platform that comes with the prop in order to enhance the stability of the actual standing yoga spider when one is pulling away to extend their muscles.