Breathe Yoga and Meditation offers
Hatha and Kundalini in an inviting, humble
space and The Yoga Room teaches
Iyengar-inspired Hatha with dedicated and
experienced teachers.
Head to Govindas for a good old-
fashioned Hare Krishna feast. And if you
really want to immerse yourself in the yoga
culture, head to the park on a Sunday
afternoon for Acro Yoga Jams and a drum
circle.
In Varsity Lakes you’ll fi nd funky studio
Boheme and Body offering a variety of
styles (including Hip Hop Yoga and
Kids Yoga) and also the newly opened
42 Athletic, which offers fi tness classes,
Hip Hop Yoga, and Chill Yoga.
Greenhouse Canteen & Bar in Miami
serves vegan share plates, street food and
raw treats. The deliciously inventive menu
(think raw salted caramel and popcorn slice
with vanilla cashew cream) and funky
bar aims to demonstrate just how hip a
plant-based lifestyle can be.
Mermaid is also bustling with yogic
goodness. Essence of Living is a popular
studio with a clear community atmosphere.
All students seem to be regulars and there
are hugs and kisses all around on arrival.
The space is inviting with two large, bright
studios offering a generous timetable of
Yoga, Pilates and Barre with experienced,
Essence-trained teachers.
Australian School of Meditation
and Yoga (ASMY) is a traditional school
with a huge following of yoga devotees.
They host Kirtan evenings every Friday
night and offer free meditation classes
daily, as well as Hatha Yoga in the
Mermaid/Nobby Beach space. They
also have fi ve other, smaller spaces
around the GC.
Mandala Organic Arts Café is a
friendly, healthy, vegan café. The space is
fun, eclectic and inviting, with a lush
outdoor area perfect for health-conscious
gatherings.
BSKT Yoga is a stone’s throw away from
the beach and has a bright and funky space
with ocean views. Downstairs there’s a
wholefoods café with delicious, healthy
options for all diets (raw lovers - try the
vegan Pad Thai).
Peace Yoga was the perfect post-Hot
Yoga indulgence. I arrived sweaty,
dishevelled and ready to relax. Owner
and teacher Doreena Scales teaches from a
place of deep knowledge and compassion.
Her studio felt like home with deities, prayer
fl ags and ornaments creating a cosy vibe.
Devoted, blissed-out students stayed for long
chats and warm embraces after class.
My Health Yoga in Broadbeach is
owned by our cover model, Carrie-Anne
Fields, and business partner Matty
McDonnell. There’s an enticing simplicity
about the space and the style of yoga feels
accessible and inclusive. Although I felt odd
rocking up to the shopping complex (My
Health’s home) in my bare feet, once I
found the studio I felt instantly at ease.
Around the corner is Cardamon Pod, a
social and inviting café with plenty of
outdoor seating so you can bask in the sun.
All sorts of vegetarian delights, Hare
Krishna goodness and incredible raw
desserts are served up.AROUND SURFERS PARADISE
Chameleon New Age Salon, in the heart of
Surfers Paradise, is the epitome of New Age.
A water fountain welcomes you on entering
the alternative hair salon. Colourful, hippie
décor is strewn around the space as you
wander up the stairs – home of the
wholefoods café, healing spaces (including
aura pictures and readings) and yoga studio.
The Yin class I took was the perfect antidoteto my pre-arrival, over-stimulated anxiety.
Fire Shaper in Bundall is popular among
hot yogis and classes range from Flow (for
Vinyasa fans) to Blaze (prepare to sweat).SOUTHPORT AND BEYOND
Shanti Yoga in Southport is owned by
Indian-born Shanti Gowans who has been
studying and practicing her entire life,
as well as establishing a number of yoga
studios and centres throughout Australia
since the Seventies. The Shanti centre has a
traditional timetable of Hatha, meditation,
Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, philosophy and
chanting.
Elemental Hot Yoga in Parkwood has
an abundant schedule of hot and power
classes. Zen Soul Life, owned by Madonna
Williams, runs a number of classes in the
Paradise Point area – including some
outdoors. Floating Lotus in Helensvale
is a beautiful little space offering a diverse
timetable, including SUP Yoga, and it is
also one of the only studios in the area.
Look up D’Yoga owner Darci Cole-
Ensor, a very loved local teacher who
takes her classes all around the GC and
regularly hosts fun yoga events.
The yogic activities don’t stop with
asana. Check out moregoldcoast.com.au
for details on all of the amazing markets
(arts, organic etc. along the coast).
With so much going on, there’s even a
Facebook group (Gold Coast Yoga
Community) with more than 1000
members, dedicated to sharing yoga
happenings in the area.
The Gold Coast yoga scene is not what I
was expecting. I found pockets of peace
amid stimulation central and will now
keenly look forward to my day trips to this
inspired mecca of goodness. Look closely
and you will fi nd a welcoming community
of golden hosts creating a yogis’ paradise.29
july 2016yogajournal.com.auDoreena Scales at Peace Yoga Studio Essence of LivingChameleon New Age SalonMy Health Yoga