‘My real life path’: How unique practice changed Perrine’s life

After going through a tough time and witnessing the benefits of this practice, one Toowoomba woman has opened her own business specialising in it. See inside the new studio with a twist here.

When Perrine Grando was 18, she left her home in France to travel the world and found herself working as an au pair in Toowoomba, but after falling in love with the Garden City and her partner Ilario Milella, she now calls the region home.

Now aged 24 and after years of travelling, Perrine has returned to the region and opened her own studio – the Toowoomba Yoga Shala, specialising in a unique form of the exercise.

Perrine Grando teaches Ashtanga Yoga in Toowoomba. Picture: Nev Madsen

“During my time overseas I discovered the study of yoga in India and I quickly realised this was my real life path,” she said.

Specialising in Ashtanga, which generates a lot of heat, targets all the muscles and consumes a lot of energy, Perrine said she was passionate about teaching beginners step-by-step.

Perrine, who has been teaching yoga for four years and practices it herself every day without fail, said yoga changed her life and she hoped it would help others too.

Perrine Grando teaches Ashtanga Yoga in Toowoomba. Pictured with Ilario Milella. Picture: Nev Madsen

She said the space would assist with rehab and transformation, as yoga was beneficial for leg injuries, back pain, improving motion in the joints and mental health.

“Before I started yoga I was a bit depressed and didn’t know where my life was taking me,” Ms Grando said.

“But yoga has given so much meaning to my life, it’s given me the ability to find myself, connect with nature and how to take a break from the hectic lifestyle we are all living.”

The intimate space at 488 Ruthven St, caters to nine students per class and renovations are almost complete.

It will open in the coming weeks and studio hours will vary.