FNQ’s guide to yoga, meditation, pilates studios in Port Douglas, Cairns, Atherton, Innisfail
The Far North has a range of places that allow you to develop your mind and body all in the one place. The Cairns Post has selected the top 10 in the region. SEE WHO IS NUMBER ONE
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THE Far North has a range of places that allow you to develop your mind and body all in the one place. Over the years the mix of places has increased and more techniques have been introduced to the region.
From pilates on the river to retreats that take you away to Greece, the Far North has a lot to offer. The Cairns Post has selected the top 10 in the region.
10. THRIVE YOGA TRIBE – ATHERTON
A popular studio across the Tablelands, Thrive Yoga Tribe is known for its yoga and barre classes.
Owner Rachel Karran said her yoga classes provided a balanced approach between a mixture of styles including Iyengar and Ashtanga.
“They are designed to be a full body sequence so we do all yoga types to ensure it’s a full yoga class where we take a balanced approach rather than focusing on one type,” she said.
“It is important to look after the entire body as well as a strong focus on correct anatomical alignment.
“We are there to improve the body and if you are out of alignment you can injure yourself so it’s important you’re in the correct alignment.”
9. TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION – FRESHWATER
Transcendental Meditation is a universal technique for everyone.
“I teach transcendental meditation which is a mental technique that allows the mind and the body to settle down,” she said.
“It’s a very simple technique, it’s done sitting down with the eyes closed 20 minutes a day.
“It is quite unique because it’s a very direct technique that allows the awareness and experience the state of yoga very quickly and very directly.”
Ms Tan said it was a technique that didn’t require any difficult yoga positions.
“It is for everyone. It is not something that is limited to somebody that is flexible,” she said.
“It’s about experiencing our inner true nature.”
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8. CAIRNS PILATES BARRE – SMITHFIELD
This studio doesn’t just teach reformer classes, they also do pilates with individual pieces of equipment and two pieces of equipment.
Owner Janine Noopetch said they teach classes of up to five with reformer, tower and mat classes.
“The tower class will give you a bit of a stretch, the reformer class you feel like you are working harder but stronger,” she said.
“I specialise in people working with injuries so if people have a back injury or if they have a knee replacement.
“We work from head to toe and we will focus on areas that need strengthening. We work every bit of your body.”
Ms Noopetch said every class was tailor made to the people in the classes.
“We put the program together to benefit whoever is in the class and also so everybody has a good workout,” she said.
“I also work with pre and post natal.”
7. DEEP PILATES PORT DOUGLAS
This studio does reformer pilates, barre and aerial yoga.
“Instead of one we offer all those three modalities plus yoga so people can motivate their bodies and activate their core,” owner Michael Joseph said.
The studio also does yoga, has a bathhouse and a massage centre. Mr Joseph said they also organised retreats.
“We have a lot of guest teachers and retreats from people all over the world,” he said.
“In the past we’ve done Spain, Santorini and soon we will do Hawaii.
“We do a yoga retreat there and I co facilitate that. We walk people through a five day retreat.”
6. YOGA ON THE RIVER – INNISFAIL
This particular yoga studio has a beautiful view of the river out at the Rowing Club.
Owner Susan Stevens has been studying yoga for 25 years. She teaches on Tuesday and Thursday evening.
“I have a mixed diverse group of all ages, everybody is welcome. I teach an athletic form,” she said.
“It’s traditional hatha yoga where we use props but I also like to create heat and make it into a more energetic practice especially in the cooler months
“In the summer I cool it down a bit more.”
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5. KYND STUDIO – EDGE HILL
Kynd Studio opened in April 2021 has so far proven to be a hit with clients. Owner Claudia Richardson originally ran her classes in collaboration with the Tanks before opening this one.
“We specialise in dynamic mat classes. It’s a little more upbeat, it’s a little faster than what people might perceive pilates to be. I like to make it fun and energetic,” she said.
“It’s for the people who want a full body workout and want to have fun in the process.
Ms Richardson said she also had some slower classes.
“Our slow flow classes are a little popular. A lot of our members come to all our classes we offer,” she said.
“The yoga is nice and relaxing against the more upbeat and faster dynamic.”
4. PORT DOUGLAS YOGA – PORT DOUGLAS
This studio has been running for 30 years and runs a traditional shala.
Co-owner Lesley Johnston said it was a community that offers yin yoga and restorative yoga as well.
“It is a space for like minded teachers to offer classes there too,” she said.
“With Port Douglas being quite a seasonal town, the numbers of people that want to come to Yoga increase over the winter time.
Luckily we found some lovely teachers to help provide and cater enough classes.
“We’ve got some younger teachers, as well as more mature teachers”
Ms Johnston said it was about helping the flow of wisdom.
“We are quite proud of ourselves, we are authentic and we keep to the traditional values of yoga but still are able to cater to the modern yoga needs,” she said.
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3. STUDIO PILATES INTERNATIONAL CAIRNS
This Pilates studio has a different approach to some of the others with screens delivering the workouts.
“We are a virtual delivery but our instructors walk around correcting each client and making sure they are getting a maximum outcome from each exercise and safety wise,” receptionist Anna Stanbridge said.
“There’s screens around the room so you can watch it on there so our instructors are correcting you.”
The studio focuses on reformer pilates.
“We welcome anyone to come along for a complimentary orientation class to see what we are all about,” she said.
“Basically we are here to make you stronger.”
The studio recently won the best pilates studio from their franchise in the world.
2. BALANCE PILATES CENTRE – CAIRNS CITY
The studio opened up in January. Owner Caitlin Simms also owns Balance Performance Centre which is a boutique gym designed to enhance female performance.
“At the moment we are running studio challenge. It’s crossing between the pilates studio and the female only gym,” Ms Simms said.
“We are combining the two together to show people you can train multiple ways and at the end of the challenge the goal is to find what your niche is.”
The studio focuses on reformer pilates.
“We do multiple classes each day. All the classes are completely different because we have four instructors so no two classes are the all the same,” she said.
“We are trying to grow a community that invites people of all shapes and sizes, males and females all together.”
1. WILD HEART YOGA TRIBE – EDGE HILL
“We wanted to show there are many paths up a mountain and we wanted to give people a variety of options,” Mr Horton said.
“Some classes like power yoga we will do handstands, inversions, funky transitions, it’s really challenging.
“We also have classes like gentle classes that anybody could come to. Some classes where you meditate and some that are a fast or slow.
“There are options for anyone whether you’re a teenager or a senior.”
Mr Horton said their studio also supports charity events.
“To us a yoga studio is about giving back. All our props are eco friendly,” he said.
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Originally published as FNQ’s guide to yoga, meditation, pilates studios in Port Douglas, Cairns, Atherton, Innisfail
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