While yoga has been all the rage since the 90s, the ancient practice only started sweeping the Coast in the past couple of years.
Coasties that were once hard pressed to find somewhere to practice yoga are now spoiled for choice with studios and classes on offer from Avoca to Erina and Woy Woy to Killcare.
Whether you have back pain or RSI, want greater flexibility or less stress, or maybe need more energy or headspace, yoga could be the answer. Nothing bad comes from taking a little time for yourself.
Here are a few of our fave places to get zen and do downward dog on the Central Coast.
Yoga with CJ at Killcare
Carrera Jones, the CJ in Yoga with CJ, has been adding some zen to our lives for a couple of years since returning home to the Coast to teach yoga.
Focusing on breath-pranayama, movement-asana and awareness-meditation, she is all about relaxing, loving and nourishing yoga classes.
Classes range from a challenging energise class to a more gentle relaxing option.
As someone who got into yoga after a stressful corporate career, CJ wants her clients to enjoy the same benefits she does – less stress, and to become healthy and happy from the inside out.
She offers classes in myriad locations across the Coast from above Wise Food Cafe at Avoca to the Killcare surf club and at Flex Dance Studio in Erina’s Industry Grounds.
The hardest part about her Killcare class isn’t holding Warrior pose but trying not to get distracted by the view across Killcare beach.
Classes are $20 a pop.
Carla Simpson strikes a pose at Happy Hot Yoga
If you like it hot, Happy Hot Yoga at Woy Woy offers steamy Bikram, dynamic vinyasa and relaxing aromatherapy flow.
Owner Carla Simpson opened the studio two years ago and prides herself on bringing some extra happiness into her clients’ lives as well as pushing them to the max so they get the most out of every session.
She says the heat helps in several ways from detoxification and fat-burning to greater flexibility and enhanced functioning of the nervous system.
Many of her clients have stories about improved health since joining the studio.
In fact, Carla began yoga as a way to stretch and prevent injury while running marathons and also, as a motivated go-getter, to switch off and give her mind a break.
Give it a whirl with a $25 unlimited class pass over 10 days.
Modern Organic yoga
With its bright green walls, you know there’s good things happening at Modern Organic at Long Jetty.
Run by yoga power couple Kirt and Kiran Mallie, Modern Organic was born out of a passion to spread health and wellbeing in the community, focusing on maintaining a healthy body, mind and soul.
Under the powerful gaze of a giant mandala, yogis can practise hot classes in both Ashtanga flow (higher intensity) and Yin (lower, deeper stretches).
The bright and cheery yoga cafe also has early morning meditation sessions to kickstart your day with a clear head while expecting mums are catered for with a weekly pre-natal yoga class.
For post-yoga refuelling, the cafe is home to a zen garden complete with buddha and a cafe offering delicious, organic fare with loads of healthy options.
The first class is free then $20 after for each casual visit.
Living Om, Erina. Photo Lisa Haymes
For yogis in search of a dynamic practice on the Coast, Living OM at Erina is all about power yoga.
Classes revolve around hot Hatha Yoga in the Vinyasa style for a strong, smooth, flowing practice. With the studio heated to 32C, sweating encourages the elimination of toxins, increases circulation, improves immune function, increases mobility and eases pain.
Whatever your flexibility, fitness or level, instructors encourage students to listen to their body and progress at their own pace.
There are also some non-heated classes, and the timetable occasionally caters to kids and pregnant women.
Trial Living Om with a 30-day pass for $59.
Leah Davies at The Yoga Collective, Terrigal. Photo Jason Di-Candilo
There is a kind of magic that takes place when you chant “ooommmmmmm” from your mat at Terrigal’s boutique yoga studio – The Yoga Collective.
Crisp, clean and open, the long white walls set the scene for clarity and stillness. “Nowhere to be, nothing to do, nothing to worry about,” chants Leah Davies, who owns the studio.
Blending mind, body and meditated movements, the practice is about compassion, commitment and love – qualities that we should all be showing to ourselves.
Whether you are chanting “ommmmm” or “ummmm”, you will undoubtedly leave feeling a little less tense than when you arrived.
Classes run seven days a week and run from the AM to PM to cater to all kinds of yogis from workers to stay-at-home mums and grandmas to kids.
On weekends, the studio offers a range of workshops, events and conversations to take students’ yoga practice off the mat and into the world.
Drop in to a class for $20.
Yoga at Mysan Yoga Sanctuary, Kincumber
Tucked away on Cochrane Street, Kincumber, there is a yoga sanctuary.
It’s Mysan’s Yoga Sanctuary and yours – a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the world, pause and find balance.
Focusing on more than just the poses, the Sanctuary is about lifestyle change and seeding yoga into every aspect of life creating a healthier and happier you.
Founders Mysan and Tim have had first-hand experience into how yoga provides peace, calm and positive energy. Tim discovered yoga at a time when he was physically and emotionally broken and continues to practice Yin yoga, Hatha yoga and yoga philosophy, as well as karate. Mysan specialises in Hatha yoga, Yin yoga, Yang yoga as well as Meditation and Pranayama.
With a roster of local teachers who all have at least 300 hours of recognised Teacher Training education, you’ll feel in safe hands no matter what level you’re at.
Find your slice of the Sanctuary with a $25 introductory five class pass.
Coastal Chic Tip: There are so many different types of yoga – whether you like a regular routine or need it mixed up, try out a few different people and places and hopefully you’ll find your perfect place to practice.
2 comments
We love Gnostic yoga in Woy Woy with John. The timetable is great and suits everyone and the classes are fantastic. Each class focuses on greater strength and flexibility and less stress . John is a great instructor who obviously has a passion for what he does but the atmosphere is casual , non competitive and the classes include a good dose of humour .
Thanks for the tip, Evie! Sounds like a great class.