Toowoomba yoga studio helps people connect in times of stress

From humble beginnings at the height of the 2020 Covid pandemic, a Toowoomba yoga studio alongside its members have gone from strength-to-strength.

HEALTHY GROWTH: Antara Studio has enjoyed considerable membership growth since opening its doors in earlier this year. Picture: Contributed

HEALTH: At the peak of last year’s Covid pandemic – Antara Studio yoga offered a spark of hope.

In line with government mandated health and safety rules at the time 20 people led by Amy Pattison joined together to reconnect as they focused on their mental and physical health.

Fast forward to now and the Antara yoga community has grown dramatically and the purpose-designed Ruthven St studio is a popular location.

“Antara began back in 2020 when everything was shutting down with the pandemic,” Pattison said.

People were encouraged to find other ways to exercise – most of us became runners and walkers.

“In my neighbourhood I ran into a number of people who I used to teach elsewhere and they were crying at for something because at that point gyms and studios were not able to operate at full capacity.”

That something started on the carpeted floors of Rumours International.

“We were able to have 20 people indoors in line with all the regulations and were fortunate enough to be offered a space on the carpet at Rumours,” Pattison said.

“It was 20 people max, they had to book in and it was donation only classes.

“It took off. We had wait lists, people were crying out for reconnection.”

As the world began to reopen Antara moved onto another location as its community grew before it eventually moved to its current.

Amy Pattison feels humbled by the support her yoga studio has received from the Toowoomba public.

“It’s very humbling,” Pattison said.

“To go from those donation only classes to where we are now.

“Some of those people had lost their jobs, were cut off from family and they just needed somewhere to be where they could let go just let go, move and be connected.”

Since those first days Antara Studio has gone from that 20-person limitation to employing 18 staff and offering more than 50 classes a week.

Pattison said yoga has now evolved to a point where it can meet the needs of anyone who signs on.

“I think there is a misconception of what yoga is,” she said.

“It takes on elements of chanting, relaxation, meditation, gentle postures stretching, but it can also be really dynamic, empowering and build strength.

“Yoga itself is created to unite the body, mind and the spirit. It’s also created to unite people.

“Yoga now takes on many different forms in many different styles.

“That’s because we’re all individuals and we all have different needs.

“Each of our classes are styled differently and all of our teachers offer variety in terms of their of backgrounds and educational experiences.

“We try to offer options for as many different people.”

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