Building a connection between like-minded individuals is something we’re passionate about at our yoga studio. “Kula” means community in the ancient and sacred language of Sanskrit. Not only do we provide locals from Hawthorn and Camberwell yoga classes, but we also provide them with a yoga studio where people can connect, share and grow. Our students come from all around the Boroondara area to sweat, play, learn and reach their health and fitness goals. Every day at Kula we come across individuals who have inspired us and continue to help shape our community; we wanted to share their stories with you. This week is a another special edition as we spotlight one of our Kula Tribe members, who has been participating in the 30 Day Yoga & Nutrition Challenge.
Name: Dylan (Dylan recently joined our Kula Tribe, has taken on the 30 Day Challenge and quickly become a familiar face at Kula!)
Kula: Favourite style of yoga at Kula?
Dylan: That’s a really difficult question to answer because all of the styles have something to offer, and sometimes it really depends on where you’re at in your mind, body and spirit. Is that too diplomatic of an answer? Haha! If I had to pick one it would have to be hot because I find that it is the most challenging and I find that I am most mindful in hot yoga. I find that I’m the most mindful because holding the poses for that much longer you really feel the burn at which point you need to internalise your focus and come back to the breath.
K: Why do you practice yoga?
D: I practice yoga for so many reasons. I work as a mental health support worker which can be an emotionally and mentally demanding job. Coming to an evening practice after a tough day, I find is the ideal way to replenish lost energy stores, and also a fantastic way to practice gratitude and self-care, which is vital in my field of work. It’s a beautiful way to ground oneself.
Another reason that I practice yoga is that it builds core strength, flexibility, and tones and realigns your body. I find a gentle and therapeutic way to regain lost range of motion from past injuries as well.
K: Is yoga your main form of exercise, or do you go to the gym, participate in other sports, fitness or activities?
D: Though I have been playing basketball for 18 years now, and still identify that basketball is my primary sport, I would be kidding myself if I said that yoga wasn’t my main form of exercise. I mean how can it not be when I practice 6 days a week!? I’m a big fan of running and general body weight exercises. I’m pretty much keen to do anything active whether it’s playing tennis socially or going for a journey up the 1000 steps, and I recently stopped playing football competitively in the EFL. I also have some dumbbells at home that are collecting dust because I find that I get enough exercise with all the yoga I’m doing.
K: What is the main health goal you are focusing on at the moment?
D: My main health goal that I’m focussing on at the moment is to continue to build core and upper body strength, but also balance as its never been a strength of mine personally.
K: Apart from Kula, where are your favourite hangouts in the Hawthorn, Camberwell or Boroondara area?
D: I frequent a really good cocktail bar called Bar None on a Friday or Saturday night. Beyond that generally lots of brunches at My Other Brother, Collective Espresso, Legacy, Baker’s Wife.
K: Why did you choose to take part in the 30 Day Challenge this month?
D: I chose to take part because I knew I did a lot of yoga but I wanted to know exactly how much and whether I could get to 30 or not.
K: Tell us about your experience so far.
D: The Challenge wasn’t so much of a challenge for me because I have no issue with motivation when it comes to practicing yoga at Kula.
K: What do you love most about the Kula Tribe?
D: What I Iove most about the Tribe at Kula specifically is that you get a core group of regulars who you become familiar with. Over time you develop friendships with people who have similar interests, values and beliefs. There seems to be a mutual respect and understanding throughout “The Tribe”.
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Kula Yoga has a beautiful hot yoga studio on Camberwell Rd, Hawthorn, Melbourne. Kula offers ‘Hot Yoga’ classes for detoxification, dynamic poweryoga ‘Flow Yoga’ as well as a gentle ‘Light Yin Yoga’ option. Beginners through to advanced students are welcome to all classes. Kula also provides prenatal & postnatal yoga classes, and provides Melbourne workplaces with group corporate yoga programs to build employee health, fitness and wellbeing, and school yoga programs. Kula also runs an annual ‘Kula Cruise’ yoga retreat sailing from Bali to Lombok & the Gili Islands. Find out more on our website www.kulayoga.com.au. Or follow us:
Facebook: Kula Yoga Australia
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