For several decades western society has suffered from a crisis of dis-ease stemming from our overly yang lifestyles. The drive to ‘advance’ or ‘succeed’ has led to a regression in our quality of life as measured by factors such as genuine social connection, community, mental health and our overall sense of wellbeing. And in the current global economic and geopolitical climate, the outlook for 2025 is even more sombre.

Yin Yoga teacher training offers a transformative healing journey restoring balance to our overly yang lifestyles. Deepen your skills and knowledge in therapeutic yoga modalities to help support yourself and others through personal or global challenges ahead.

Trauma aware yoga (also known as trauma informed yoga) is a gentle and supportive approach to yoga that prioritises the needs of individuals with trauma histories. Unlike many contemporary styles of yoga, which often emphasise physical accomplishment and flexibility, trauma aware yoga focuses on cultivating a sense of safety, grounding, and self-compassion. It involves a slower pace, with a focus on breath work, mindfulness, and gentle movement. The goal is to help individuals reconnect with their bodies, regulate their emotions, and develop resilience in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

The benefits of yoga on both physical and mental health are now widely documented, but starting out as a complete beginner can be daunting. There are so many different styles to choose from, and a lot of terminology that may seem alien and confusing. But we are here to demystify yoga for beginners.

Most people turn to yoga for one of two reasons; to improve flexibility and mobility, or to help reduce stress and anxiety. In either case it is easy to be put off by images of young, fit yogis in fashionable activewear performing strong yoga poses. But if you are seeking yoga for beginners in Brisbane, there are plenty of teachers and studios that ensure yoga remains simple and accessible for all ages and abilities.

Are you thinking of joining a beginner’s yoga course or class but don’t know where to start? Here’s your guide to choosing a beginners’ yoga course or class to suit you.

You may have many pre-conceived ideas about yoga, either from family or friends who have tried it, or based on social media images. But not all yoga is the same!

Not all yoga is the same. There are many different styles of yoga, from fast, strong classes that focus on the physical practice, to more gentle, nourishing classes that focus on mental health and wellbeing. So, if you are considering starting yoga, it’s worth doing a bit of research to find a yoga studio or teacher that suits your needs.

2024 marks 10 years since the opening of our Brisbane yoga studio, SoHo Yoga. At the outset our focus was very much on a strong, dynamic, flowing style of yoga that was popular in a growing number of yoga studios across Brisbane. And our predominantly vinyasa yoga offering served the SoHo Yoga community well for a few years.

But as the business and community grew, and we introduced new teachers and timeslots, there was the opportunity to trial different yoga classes and styles. In the US there had been a seismic shift towards more yin restorative yoga practices, and a handful of international teachers were gaining renown for teacher trainings in Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga respectively.

Vinyasa yoga has become one of the most commonly offered styles of yoga in Brisbane yoga studios and around the world. While vinyasa yoga remains rooted in ancient Indian traditions, it is actually a relatively recent phenomenon. So why has it become so popular? The dynamic and flowing style of vinyasa yoga seems to have transformative effects on both the body and mind, and when studied in the context of Tantric philosophy and the concept of Spanda, we begin to understand why.

While all 200 hour yoga teacher trainings will include yoga history & philosophy and anatomy & physiology, the key differentiator between most courses will be the style of yoga asana taught.

Vinyasa is a broad term and even vinyasa yoga teacher trainings will vary greatly; from strong powerful practices incorporating advanced yoga asana, to slower, more mindful, alignment focused practices.

If you are considering undertaking yoga teacher training, you will not be disappointed. It can be a life changing journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and transformation. But how do you choose a yoga teacher training course that’s right for you? Here’s our guide to help you decide.

The practice of yoga is often misconstrued as a form of purely physical exercise, and the emergence of expensive activewear brands leveraging its surge in popularity in recent decades has done little to demystify it. Yoga is in fact a holistic practice that originated in ancient India, and which can have a profound impact on physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

You may have bought the fancy mat and buttery soft leggings, but do you know the difference between Vinyasa Yoga classes and Yin Yoga classes? This ancient practice encompasses a rich vocabulary of terms that reflect its philosophical roots, as well as breathing techniques and physical practices. Here we’ll explore some key terms used in yoga to provide a better understanding of its core concepts and practices.

Do you suffer from exhaustion, burn-out, stress or anxiety? Then you should be making time for yoga in your week. Of course, the irony is you probably don’t have time because you are so busy! But restorative yoga is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health and wellbeing. At our beautiful yoga studio in Grange, we offer restorative yoga classes to help balance your nervous system and find inner calm.

At SoHo Yoga studio in north Brisbane we introduce many of the key concepts and philosophies of the ancient practice of yoga, as well as the core asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation practices that you can incorporate into a daily yoga practice. 

Not all yoga is the same! And there are many factors to consider when you are seeking a yoga studio in north Brisbane, other than location and convenience.

The first question to ask yourself is, what are you seeking from your yoga practice? As there are many different styles of yoga that offer different outcomes.

At our boutique yoga studio in Grange, Brisbane we offer a variety of styles that might suit you. For complete beginners, our Slow Flow classes include some gentle movement combined with relaxation and are a great introduction to the practice of yoga.

For those seeking a deep stretch or deep relaxation, our yin yoga and restorative yoga classes are suitable for all levels. And for those that are reasonably fit and healthy, and have some prior yoga experience, our Rise & Shine and Vinyasa yoga classes are more dynamic and may incorporate more challenging postures.

Are you interested in starting yoga but feel like you need clarification on the different styles? Or maybe you’re wondering; can beginners do restorative yoga? Here we’ll give an overview of the differences between restorative yoga, yin yoga and other styles of yoga to help you decide which classes you will benefit from the most.

Extremism has always swirled on the fringes of politics and Western society but, along with the existential threat of climate change, it now howls at the door like extreme weather events threatening to destroy communities and tear families apart.

Even while a global pandemic was still forming over the South China Sea, the flames of political discontent and social divide were already being fanned by social media around the world, and within months the two fronts collided to form a Superstorm unparalleled and unprecedented in recent history.

How and why is this relevant to a yoga blog you may ask? Because I am devastated that a community of humans historically united by a common philosophical belief system based literally on the word ‘union’ (from the Sanskrit to yoke) has also become divided.

12 months ago as I commenced my 50th orbit around our star I was celebrating with friends in Amsterdam and could hardly have anticipated the tumultuous year that lay ahead. Approaching 50 we would all hope to be on a safe and predictable trajectory towards that dreaded nomenclature, ‘middle age’, and enjoying a period of stability and security in our lives. However the Universe had other plans for me and I was violently knocked off course. Not quite the smooth transition to the fabulous fifties that I had envisaged, in fact probably the single most challenging year of my life! But on the eve of this milestone birthday, the ground beneath my feet is feeling reasonably steady once more, and I am naturally inclined to reflect on a few things I have learned.

Many people discover yoga, or turn to yoga, when they are recovering from illness or injury, or suffering from stress or anxiety or heartbreak, or simply hit rock bottom. While the practices of yoga and meditation may not be a cure-all for devastating diseases, they are widely recognised as healing modalities that can significantly benefit both our physical and mental health.

Long before I became a yoga teacher, I credited my regular dynamic asana practice with keeping me strong and healthy and relatively immune from serious illness. Imagine my dismay then that since leaving the corporate world to start my own business and become a full-time yoga teacher my health seems to have plummeted to an all-time low, and most recently I found myself hospitalised for two weeks with a particularly pervasive case of pneumonia, along with complications too numerous to mention.

When we think of space, we often think of the vast, unimaginable expanse of the Universe beyond our planet, our solar system, even our galaxy. And maybe how small and seemingly insignificant we little Earthlings really are in the grand scheme of things.

But in reality we are all simply space. Life-forms made up of atoms, which are in turn made up of electrons, protons and neutrons - the smallest particles of matter know to man - all floating around in nothing but space.

For a few people, yoga is no more than the physical postures practiced on the mat in the pursuit of a healthier, more flexible body – and that is fine. But for many the practice of yoga extends way beyond the physical postures into a more meaningful way of living, which becomes a life long journey of self-discovery. There are a gazillion books and texts I could refer you to for a deeper understanding of the principles of yoga off the mat (maybe for a later blog post), but for a more digestible taste of how to live a more conscious, connected and compassionate life, here are my top 5 inspiring & thought provoking docos.

While out of action due to recent surgery I finally got the opportunity to catch up on the fantastic Netflix series, The Crown.  Without making any parallels, witnessing the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret undertaking their etiquette lessons prompted me to draw up a few lessons in yoga etiquette for the uninitiated.

In all seriousness, for anyone entirely new to yoga this might be genuinely useful information. Or for those who are regular practitioners it might be a timely reminder, and answer a few unanswered questions that you’re too afraid to ask.