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.
Name: Janice (a regular Kula yogi, Kula Tribe member and 21 Day Challenger who always has a big smile)
Kula: Favourite style of yoga at Kula?
Janice: Hot, power, yin, anything goes. I practice hot yoga the most since I started at Kula.
K: Why do you practice yoga?
J: I rediscovered yoga at Kula after several years of inconsistent practice. It was only after I started yoga at Kula that I realised a consistent practice of yoga has helped centre me and keep grounded. As Ashley would say, all worries and troubles are put aside when I arrive at my yoga mat for practice.
K: What do you love about Kula Yoga?
J: The uplifting vibe, the warmth and friendliness of the teachers and other practitioners. The fact that each person makes the effort to come to his or her yoga mat to practice no matter what else is going on in his or her life. Also, I love the fact that I have never once felt unsafe in any of the classes that I have attended at Kula, as the teachers place a huge emphasis on students’ safety. In the past classes I had attended elsewhere, there was an insufficient amount of attention given by teachers to ready their members for poses. I have previously suffered injuries from a teacher’s lack of communication about correct alignment; in combination with not listening to my own body. At Kula we are constantly reminded by the teachers to listen to our bodies and are always shown how to get into and out of postures with safety, protecting our bodies.
K: Is yoga your main form of exercise, or do you go to the gym, participate in other sports, fitness or activities?
J: Yoga is the only form of exercise that I participate in right now. It has become a daily practice for me with one designated rest day a week. I do not really see it as a form of exercise, but as something that I do as part of my daily life that provides me with further clarity, focus, peace and calm.
K: What is the main health goal you are focusing on at the moment?
J: Not only being physically strong, but mentally and emotionally as well.
K: Apart from Kula, where are your favourite hangouts in the Hawthorn, Camberwell or Boroondara area?
J: I don’t have a favourite hangout place apart from Kula! Yes, I might appear that I am a bit boring in that account…
K: Why did you choose to take part in the 21 Day Challenge this month?
J: In February this year, I took part in the 30-day yoga challenge hosted by Kula. It was during this time that I made a commitment to deepen my yoga practice. So taking part in the 21-day challenge is part of continuing my journey.
K: Tell us about your experience of the Challenge so far?
J: It is still early on in the challenge, but I am definitely gaining a lot of insight from the daily meditation audios that we have been listening to so far. Meditation is not easy! Contrary to popular belief, it is not about sitting in one spot and doing nothing. I personally find it very difficult to keep my mind still and present, particularly after a long and tiring day. Whether it be from an emotional, physical or mental cause, the mind tends to wander and get distracted very easily, even from the smallest of thoughts.
K: What do you love most about the Kula Tribe?
J: That it gives students a lot of flexibility with class attendance.
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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
Instagram – @kulayoga
Twitter – Kula Yoga Australia
Youtube – Kula Yoga Australia
