Don’t look to social media or retail therapy as a form stress relief. Why not try some outdoor yoga? Treat your eyes to breathtaking views, clear your mind will be cleared and your body will be thanking you after a great session.
Breathe in and out to the rhythm of the waves crashing on the shore. This relaxing yoga session is set on the grounds of the famous Bondi Icebergs. A drop-in casual visit for the seaside yoga is only $18 per session, and includes the use of a yoga mat. An additional $7 will cover your entrance fee into the Icebergs, granting you access to the pools, sauna, and hot showers.
Alternatively, you can purchase the 10 class pass for $180, which is valid for 1 year from the time of purchase. This can be shared between friends and can also be used at all Yoga by the Sea venues (Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte).
If you are planning to be a regular attendee of the Bondi Yoga by the Sea classes, you should opt for the Icebergs multi-entry pass, which entitles you to 25 visits to the Icebergs for only $120. This means $4.80 per entry as opposed to the regular price of $7!
If the weather does not look promising and you’re worried that the rain might literally wash your yoga dreams away, don’t worry. Yoga by the Sea has enforced their wet weather procedure plans, and made it clear on their website that you can incur a credit for your next visit if your outdoor classes had been cancelled. Simply quote your name at the sign-in counter to redeem.
Address: 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi NSW
Operating Hours: All year round – check schedule on website.
Website: http://www.yogabythesea.com.au/
Do you think you have what it takes do yoga whilst on a paddleboard? Stand-up Paddleboard Yoga (SUPYoga) is a unique way to de-stress and keep fit. is bound to ignite a sense of calmness to your day, and is also bound to bring fun and laughter.
The combination of yoga and stand-up paddle boarding will help enhance your balance, flexibility, coordination, strength, and neuromuscular re-education. You will have personal lessons with Charlotte Piho, an expert in SUPYoga, who will assist you in this workout and enable you to connect with yourself and your surroundings.
Bookings are essential as session times and places are limited. Fees are $50 for one lesson, $150 for four lessons, and $250 for ten lessons. If you prefer private lessons, this would be $100 per person or $300 for a group of four people.
Address: Caledonian Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30am & 9:30am | Sat to Sun 8:30am, 9:30am & 10:30am
Website: http://www.workoutonwater.com/classes/
According to yoga expert Kylie Willows, she states that “the purpose of yoga is to connect the body with breath to come into the present moment and we do that through laughter.” These workshops aim to reduce stress and bring more joy into participants’ lives through techniques such as yogic breathing, rhythmic clapping, stretching, and simulated laughter.
Hunters Hill Laughter Yoga club takes place in the beautiful setting of Valencia Street Park. Here, you have a backdrop of glistening waters and have the opportunity to appreciate the national heritage Hunters Hill offers.
A session commences with the teacher explaining the theory and practice of laughter yoga. Laughter meditation involves lying down and allows spontaneous and natural laughter to flow from the body. Most laughter yoga venues offer free sessions, but some locations request a gold coin donation.
Everyone can benefit from some laughter, which in itself has many health benefits ranging from reducing high blood pressure and increasing the levels of endorphins in our body, to simply creating a positive emotional state.
Address: Valentia Street Park near Woolwich Ferry Wharf, Hunters Hill 2110 NSW (various locations: see website)
Operating Hours: Saturdays 9am to 9:30am (except long weekends)
Website: http://www.sydneylaughter.com.au/
This inspiring and therapeutic view of Wylie’s Baths in the beautiful suburb of Coogee is effective enough to keep your stress levels down. Classes are held at various times in the day on the deck overlooking the ocean pool at Wylie’s Baths, and include Pilates, hatha flow, and remedial hatha yoga.
Yoga mats are not provided, so be sure to bring your own and some spares if you have a couple lying around. Classes are $18 per session, not inclusive of pool entry which would be an extra $3 or $4.80 if you are planning on swimming.
The yoga instructors have over a decade worth of knowledge and experience, and are highly qualified in the fields of Hatha yoga or Vinyasa yoga. The instructors focus on relaxation and meditation practices with the aim of improving flexibility, strength, focus and awareness both on and off the yoga mat.
Address: Wylie’s Baths, 4B Neptune St, Coogee NSW 2034
Operating Hours:
Website: http://www.wylies.com.au/index.html
The combination of yoga and kayaking will give you a complete mind and body session. Situated on Balmoral Beach, your sun-kissed skin will be able to soak up some vitamin D, and enjoy the views of the horizon.
This workout goes for about 80mins, with each class commencing with 40min yoga practice to the sound of waves crashing on the shores of Balmoral. Once your muscles and body are relaxed, you have the chance to stretch your body further with 40mins of kayaking around Balmoral and its surrounding beaches.
Each visit is $45, pre-paid prior to the session. However, you can get a package deal where you pay $350 for a 10-week term. Be sure to book early, as each class is limited to only 16 people.
Address: Balmoral Beach, Mosman NSW 2088
Operating Hours: Fri 9am (commencing 5th Feb 2016) | Sat 7:45am (commencing 6th Feb 2016)
Website: http://www.rancansistersfitness.com.au/index.html
Every week, Lululemon stores and showrooms draw the focus away from their products and retail responsibilities, and turn their stores into yoga studios. Classes are complimentary and are lead by instructors from local studios within the community.
On top of this, Lululemon also offers outdoor yoga once a week at the iconic Hyde Park. Hyde Park is nestled in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, and its large grounds mean there is plenty of room for activities. Classes are complimentary and commence at 6pm on Wednesdays.
A variety of yoga techniques will be practiced, allowing you to release and unravel the tension, as well as exercises that stimulate a detox flow. Yoga mats will not be provided so you would need to bring your own. In the case of wet weather, yoga classes will be cancelled.
Address: Hyde Park, Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Operating Hours: Wednesdays 6pm
Website: http://www.lululemon.com/stores/au/sydney/ivydistrict/events
FreeFly Yoga is a boutique yoga school that offers breathtaking harbour views at its studio along Mrs Macquarie Road. There are four different types of classes that FreeFly offers, so you have a range of options to choose from and figure out which style suits you best.
Yin yoga uses long, passive holds to target and heal the connective tissues such as ligaments, bones, joints, and fascia. This style helps to soothe your thoughts, encourage inward focus, and allow your body to experience a deeper sense of relaxation. Vinyasa focuses on lengthening and contracting muscles to encourage flexibility and relaxation. This is recommended for beginners as it trains both your balance and strength. Acrovinyasa takes yoga into the air, focusing on synchronising breath in movement, strength, and balance whilst you place your trust in your partner. Budokon is a transition based hatha yoga flow (postured based) that incorporates continuous circular rotations as a result of its Martian Arts influence.
FreeFly Yoga organises various workshops and events throughout the year, taking you to places with the most relaxing scenery, and even gives you the opportunity to travel to Bali and Fiji! For new members, you can order a FreefFy Yogi pass only on your first visit, where you pay just $30 for 2 weeks of unlimited yoga sessions! For budding yogis, this introductory offer is bound to impress. Single classes are $25 each, or you can opt for an unlimited one-month membership at $195. FreeFly Yoga offers many more packages, so jump onto their website to check it out.
Address: Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, 1c Mrs Macquarie Road, Sydney NSW 2000
Operating Hours:
Website: http://www.freefly.yoga/
Instructor Kris McIntyre incorporates the Japanese Ryoho Yoga Therapy technique into her classes at lusciously green Rushcutters Bay Park. This style incorporates the traditional Indian hatha yoga with the meridian-based healing arts and five-element theory (fire, earth, metal, wood, and fire) from China and Japan.
The Ryoho Yoga Therapy focuses on different needs of your body at different times of the year, hence these dynamic classes change according to suit the season. For example in summer, Ryoho Yoga Therapy supports the power in the body by focusing on heart strength, and blood pressure and circulation. In Spring, more focus is placed on flexibility and detox of the body which incorporates more twisting poses.
Classes are $10 per session, and only $5 for students under 18 years of age. This is one of the most valuable ways to spend your $10!
Address: Rushcutters Bay Park, Waratha Street, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
Operating Hours: Saturdays 8:30am to 9:30am
Website: http://www.onlysydney.com.au/41959/yoga-in-rushcutters-bay-park#.VrL49DZ95E4
Manly Kayak Centre offers a range of fun fitness and yoga activities you can do whilst on a kayak. Activities include stand-up paddlboard fitness class, kayak fitness class, stand-up paddlboard yoga class, and kayak yoga class. These classes run throughout the week, with kayak yoga only running on Thursday and Saturday mornings. However in the winter months, kayak yoga moves indoors.
Kayak yoga classes offer a blend of basic paddling as well as yoga techniques such as stretching movements that help build your core strength and revitalise your energy. Each class is $35, or you can apply for a Kayak Fitness Card (10 pass) and pay $30 for each session.
A typical session will involve a half an hour paddle from Manly Sea Life Sanctuary to a nearby-secluded beach. Once your kayak has reached the sandy shores, the instructor will guide you through half an hour of yoga. The class concludes with a half an hour paddle back to Manly Sea Life Sanctuary, totalling the duration of each session to be 90mins. Bring your paddling clothes, plenty of sunscreen, and a yoga mat or large towel for yoga classes. Head onto their website to see the current timetable and make your bookings.
Address: Manly Sea Life Sanctuary, W Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
Operating Hours: Thursday 9:30am | Saturday 7:30am
Website: http://www.manlykayakcentre.com.au/
Like many other yoga workshops, Yogasphere aims to guide you towards a happier, healthier lifestyle through the enjoyment of yoga. Although their studio is located in Port Stephens, which is about two and a half hours from Sydney, the beaches are stunning and far from being overcrowded, definitely making your travel time worth it.
The studio is located near the beach and is surrounded by bushlands, so classes are often taken outdoors to soak up every bit of beauty nature offers. Classes at Birubi Beach take place every Tuesday from 6-7pm, only during the school holidays from December to January. The views are guaranteed to be exquisite, as you will be able to catch the hues of the sunset beyond the horizon.
Yogasphere conducts a number of classes that touch on different yoga styles such as Vinyasa-Krama Yoga, simple meditation, Hatha Vinyasa-Krama, and “Dru” Style Slow-flow Yoga. Each style has different benefits towards the body, but they can all be modified to suit your own level and experience. Classes conducted on Birubi Beach are only $10 per session. A six week course in the studio is priced at $75-$80, whereas casual classes at $13-$15 per visit.
Address: 18 Melaleuca Drive, One Mile NSW 2316 (studio) | Birubi Beach, 73 James Paterson Street, Anna Bay NSW NSW 2316
Operating Hours: Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm (Dec-Jan school holidays only)
Website: http://yogasphere.com.au/
There is something about the great outdoors that will make you feel more at peace with yourself, and more connected to your surroundings. Outdoor yoga is no doubt an uplifting experience, allowing you to inhale all the fresh air Sydney has to offer. So rather than being hunched over your computer, or curled up on the couch, treat your body to some stretches and your mind to peace and clarity.
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