FAQs

Don’t worry, no experience is needed for joining my yoga classes. I seek to create a safe, inclusive and accessible space for every BODY with an open, authentic and honest teaching style. Simply follow my cues and let your body do what it allows you to do. There is no right or wrong way to practice a pose. It is more about finding out what your body allows you to do and how it makes you feel, as long as the exercise doesn’t hurt. We take things slowly and I will always guide each exercise with the same cues.

It does not matter what gender you identify with; yoga is for everyone, and Sparkling Soul Yoga welcomes all of you.

Sparkling Soul Yoga classes are suitable for seniors. It doesn’t matter what your level of mobility or flexibility is, we make it work for everyone. As the body ages, practicing yoga can improve mobility, balance, and mental clarity. This makes yoga very suitable and helpful for seniors too. Classes at Sparkling Soul Yoga are recommended for people aged 16 and up.

When practicing yoga, you become more aware of what is happening inside and outside of you. You become more mindful, more open to the world around you. It can help reduce your stress and contribute to feeling less anxious or depressed. Yoga can help you gain mental clarity and improve your sleep. It calms your mind. It also has a lot of physical benefits. Yoga can increase your flexibility, your muscle strength and balance. It can help improve heart health and your general sense of well-being. It restores the body. Yoga has even been shown to boost your metabolism and lower your risk of chronic diseases. The benefits may be different for everyone. But most people who incorporate yoga into their everyday life experience a positive change within weeks.

You do not have to be flexible to practice yoga. Yoga will help your body become more flexible over time. But some people just happen to be born more flexible than others! All that matters is that you listen to your body and know when you have reached your maximum stretch. Nobody is judging. Yoga is all about what works for you.

Most yogi arrive a few minutes before class starts to put their mat in a spot that makes them happy and to say hi. It is lovely to take in the view of the river, the big trees above us, the grass below us. We start our yoga session in a seated position, sitting cross-legged (or in any way that feels best in your body) on our mats and resting our hands palms up on our knees. It gives us a moment to arrive on our mats, settle into the space and prepare for our session. We then do a series of seated yoga poses connected to your breath, guided with cues that are easy to follow along with. We then move onto hands and knees and transition into standing poses. We slowly and mindfully transition back to the ground and then spend the last few minutes in deep relaxation and finish with Shavasana*.

Sparkling Soul Yoga outdoor classes are 45 minutes long. People are welcome to stay a little longer to process the effects of the practice and take in the peace of nature around us. Where are your yoga classes held? (photo of outdoor yoga classes setting) Sparkling Soul Yoga classes are held along the Brisbane River in Hawthorne, between Hardcastle Park and the Hawthorne Ferry Terminal. The big trees protect us from the sun in summer. And during winter we move a little more into the sun to keep us warm.

Yoga classes at Sparkling Soul Yoga are $12 per session. You can pay for these sessions online or when you arrive. You can also purchase a 5-class pass for $50 or a 10-class pass for $100. You don’t have to sign up for any membership. We do one class at a time. No pressure!

If you would like to pay online or purchase a multi pass: click here

I also provide Private Group Classes or One-on-One Classes. Click the link above for more information and pricing.

Yes, please let me know if you will be joining us for your preferred session(s) this week. Places are limited as we practice yoga in a smaller group setting for a better experience. To secure your spot, simply send me a text on 0412 181 332 with your preferred day and time or email me at kym@sparklingsoulyoga.com.au.

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Yes you can. Simply let me know when you would like to bring a friend, and I will secure their spot too. It will be lovely to have them.

This is an easy one. Whatever makes you feel comfortable when you move and feels good on your skin. It can be leggings, tracksuit pants, sport shorts, a tank top, singlet, loose top or loose t-shirt. Most of us practice bare feet, but feel free to wear socks. You can also purchase a comfortable t-shirt from me, printed locally from organic, breathable cotton. They are black with a white Sparkling Soul Yoga logo on the front.

All you need to bring to our outdoor yoga classes is a mat (I always have spare ones that you are free to use), and a water bottle. When the grass is wet from overnight rain, you can bring a towel to put underneath your mat.

A full stomach before any physical activity is something to avoid. Yoga poses include a lot of bending, twisting and turning upside-down, and we don’t want to upset the stomach. It is important to be well-hydrated with water before class. And maybe just a light meal before class to give you some fuel to start the day. A banana, some yoghurt, a smoothie or a handful of nuts. If you feel hungry straight after yoga it is best to have a protein shake or bar and wait for about an hour before eating a full meal.

Yoga classes are all about what your body allows you to do. It is not a competition on who can bend forward the most…. If an exercise or pose does not work for your body, because of an old injury, a health condition, or simply because it doesn’t feel right or comfortable, you simply do it in a way that works for you, or you go back into Child Pose. This is a position we return to every time something does not feel right in our body. During our exercises I also offer alternative poses for each one of you to choose from. These classes are suitable for everybody.

You will experience the benefits of yoga, whether you do it once a week, or twice a day. It is up to you how much or fast you want to feel the difference. The more you practice yoga, the more it becomes a habit, and a lifestyle. Of course, it is ideal if you practice for about an hour multiple times per week. But if this is not feasible, you can still improve your well-being with just 10 minutes every day. It all depends on what you can do and when you can do it. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t, feel proud if you do.

The answer for this one depends on your daily schedule and needs. Some prefer doing yoga in the morning, to warm and energise up before going to work, college, school or just the daily routine. Others need it more at the end of a busy day, to help wind down and relax for the night. Just try out what works best for you, and for your body and mind.

It depends a little on whether you have practiced yoga in the past. If yoga has been part of your life and exercise routine your body should be ok. Although there are some poses you should avoid, such as stronger core work and twists, especially in the first three months of your pregnancy. Also important to know is that with the hormones your body produces during pregnancy and breastfeeding the joints in your hips and pelvis actually get more flexible. It is then important to take extra care when stretching and keeping things stable down there. When you see your doctor about your pregnancy, you can always ask them about starting/practicing yoga, to be sure.

A lot of people experience yoga as a way to keep their health conditions under control or improve them. Some medical conditions or injuries may require some more specific knowledge when it comes to practicing yoga. Your specialist, whether it is a physio, cardiologist or neurologist, will know what poses or movements to avoid. If you let me know about your physical limitations, I can give you alternatives for certain poses and movements. Of course, you will always need to listen to your body throughout the practice. If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and take a break or move into a position that feels comfortable.

No. Yoga is for everyone. It is not a religion. It is a lifestyle. And it can be for everyone. Many people in today’s Western world practice yoga to experience the benefits for their general health and well-being.

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Yoga knows so many different types. We have Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram and Kundalini. At Sparkling Soul Yoga I combine elements from different styles. Hatha for instance is a slower practice, which works well for my outdoor yoga classes. It helps reduce stress and create mind-body awareness. But I also incorporate other types with for instance balancing poses and a few other more challenging movements.

Each class finishes with a Shavasana. This is definitely a favourite among my participants. We do this at the end of each practice, because it is the one pose where you can feel the impact of the practice most. It is also a perfect way to experience stillness and the ability to fully relax your mind and body. With a Shavasana you lie on your back with your legs and arms in a comfortable position and your eyes closed. You then follow my voice whilst I tell you to relax each part of your body, one by one, starting with your toes, finishing with your head, your mind and your breath. We then lay a little longer to feel the effect.

Yes you do. I love learning and continue to grow and learn with each qualification that I finish. I have a Master's in Exercise Physiology, a 200 hour qualification in vinyasa style yoga teacher training, 50 hour YIN teacher training, 50 hour chair yoga teacher training and I am trained in yoga for mental health and trauma recovery.

In addition to my outdoor yoga classes in Hawthorne that anyone can join on a casual basis, I teach at Clem Jones Centre Carina, Fernwood Carindale, Priceless Bodies HQ, One Family Yoga and Fitness in Holland Park and at Avive Clinic Brisbane (a mental health facility).

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