One of the things I really missed about Melbourne when we first moved to the Peninsula were the yoga studios. As is inherent to life in the city, you are blessed with an abundance of everything. Health food stores. Markets. Cheap eats... and of course yoga studios with all of their different styles and classes.
Sure enough, as we settled into life on the Peninsula we came to discover and experience some incredible studios and practitioners... On the whole, classes felt a bit more down-to-earth and community-centric than some of the inner-city studios I had been to.
We wanted to share with you our favourite studios so far, as well as the places on our bucket list. We’ll also highlight the studios that are offering online classes, that way no matter where you are in Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula or Australia you can experience some great new classes and teachers.
Ocean Beach Yoga, Sorrento
I have attended a couple of classes at Ocean Beach Yoga. One of which was with Maggie Carr, the owner of the studio who was so welcoming and accommodating of my needs (practicing in my first trimester). The space is flooded with natural light, warmed by the sun in the morning classes, and overlooks the wild landscape of the national park.
Ocean Beach Yoga is currently offering live-steamed, online classes for free (or by donation) here.
The Yoga Nook, Mount Martha
Lindsey’s studio, The Yoga Nook, is one of the most calming I’ve ever been to. Her classes are intimate (around six students) and set in her home-studio amongst the trees at Mount Martha. Large glass doors look out onto greenery, and the skylight above lets in natural light and captures droplets of rain. It is a beautiful place to unwind.
Malu Yoga Melbourne
One of my first ever yoga classes on the Mornington Peninsula was with Carla from Malu Yoga Melbourne, held in the Rye Yacht Club overlooking the clear, calm waters of the bay.
Before returning to Melbourne, my last class with Carla was on the yacht club deck, flowing through sequences as we were warmed by the morning sunshine. It was such an uplifting and memorable experience.
Though Carla is setting up her new studio in Melbourne, fortunately she is still offering her dynamic and thoughtful classes online. She is also offering Reiki and undertaking additional studies in meditation at the Australian Yoga Academy.
Discover Carla’s online vinyasa, power flow and meditation classes here.
No Mind Yoga, Mount Martha
I only attended one of Ryan’s Ashtanga classes but wanted to mention it regardless as it was probably one of the most difficult but authentic classes I had ever taken. In the Mysore style class you move through the postures at your own pace whilst Ryan checks in with individualised instruction and corrections.
I found it was a really humbling experience. This class made me realise the importance of properly understanding the fundamentals (which I had missed when trying to keep up in other fast-paced vinyasa classes).
It was really clear to me that Ryan was deeply devoted to his practice and the Ashtanga traditions.
Ryan is currently running an online traditional Ashtanga program. You can contact him regarding this on his Instagram.
Higher Ground Yoga, Red Hill
Higher Ground Yoga is a new studio in leafy Red Hill owned by Jane Fenn. In this interview with Kip&Co, Jane shares her vision for the studio: to create a community around wellbeing, individuality and freedom.
The space itself, designed with Design Orr Build, is calming and warm with its use of curved forms, soft palettes, diffused lighting and a unique natural cork flooring.
Higher Ground Yoga offers classes designed to energise, balance or restore, along with weekly sound healing and pranayama practice.
Louey's Place
Louey's Place at Rye is a super fun, laid-back and unpretentious studio offering yoga, pilates, reformer and other mat fitness classes like boxing. Their yoga classes are a fluid, playful and high-energy vinyasa flow.
It's also just across from the ocean if you really want to energise your morning with a dip post-yoga.
Need a new yoga mat for your next class?
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Your Wellness Warrior
A newcomer to the list is Your Wellness Warrior, a small and intimate studio at Capel Sound offering vinyasa, slow flow, yin and meditation. YWW has only just opened and we were fortunate to experience a blissful guided meditation session in their first week which left us feeling calm, grounded and nourished.
Keep up to date with new class times and more here.
These are the Mornington Peninsula yoga studios and practitioners I am really looking forward to attending. Have you been to any of these yet?
Zoga, Balnarring
Though I am yet to attend one of Zoe’s classes myself, I’ve heard from close friends that she really is incredible, having taught at studios across Melbourne and the Peninsula.
With a studio at Balnarring, Zoe shares with her students the very practice that allowed her to cultivate self-awareness and embodiment over the years.
In addition to her Balnarring studio bookings (which are intimate and limited to a class of nine), Zoe has a number of online offerings. These include on-demand classes, a meditation challenge and a holistic four week course, The Slow Rhythms, that brings together asana, meditation, beathwork, journaling and philosophy.
Discover Zoga's on-demand classes and online offerings here.
The Loft, Mornington
I’ve walked down Main Street at Mornington countless times, passing an unmissable turquoise door and wondered what was inside.
As I recently discovered, this is the home of Sarah Adele, a creative educator helping individuals and businesses find a slower, more intentional pace through work on the body and mind.
In her space, The Loft, Sarah leads her students through a rhythmic flow of pilates, yoga, meditation and dance designed to empower and liberate the body and being.
Learn more about Sarah Adele’s work and The Loft here.
Hot Hut, Red Hill
The beautiful Floss who we shot in our very first campaign is part of the experienced group of yoga teachers who take classes at Hot Hut Yoga, a small studio at Red Hill.
This light and minimal space is hidden amongst the leafy landscape at Polperro Winery and is heated to 30 degrees to warm muscles, and encourage blood flow and flexibility.
Melt into our buckwheat yoga bolsters in your next Yin class
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