New resident Naomi Carroll is excited to introduce her yoga and pilates studio to the community, with this weekend's official opening to double as a fundraiser for Angel's Community Group.
The new CBD business has come to fruition after Naomi and her family visited Elliott Heads while on a caravanning holiday.
They fell in love and decided it was the perfect spot to call home.
“While spending the last 18 months travelling Australia in a caravan with my husband and two young daughters we stopped at Elliott Heads on our way north and fell in love with the area,” Naomi said.
“We continued travelling for a few more months but the seed was planted that we wanted to relocate our lives to the Bundaberg Region, so we turned back around and made the necessary arrangements to sell our house on the Gold Coast and make the move.”
Naomi said the timing seemed right to open a studio in Bundaberg, having always had a passion for teaching yoga and pilates.
“Opening a studio has been a dream of mine for many years and when we arrived here in Bundaberg I really saw an opportunity as the timing and circumstances just seemed right,” she said.
“I have a background in education and as a school teacher, would always teach yoga and pilates in my spare time as it was, and is, my passion.
“I cannot wait to start sharing not only the beautiful space, but also my love and passion for yoga and pilates and the benefits they have for people's overall wellness in body and mind.”
Naomi said her classes were suited to people who have practiced yoga and pilates, but also those who may be new to it.
“Whether someone has come to practice yoga or pilates, at Align and Flow they can be assured they are in safe and experienced hands,” she said.
“I was initially trained in a very traditional style of yoga and over years studied more contemporary methods.
“I am a senior teacher with 13 years’ experience, and I have undertaken expansive studies and have qualifications in everything from Power yoga to gentle hatha, yin as well as pregnancy and post-natal yoga.
“I am offering two styles of yoga classes, hatha and power yoga so there will be something for everybody from beginners through to experienced practitioners.
“I focus on breath, alignment and always love to include arm balances and inversions as It brings an element of fun and lightness to the practice.”
Naomi said she was looking forward to seeing a range of different people attend her sessions, which offered the perfect opportunity for anyone to balance their workouts.
“Pilates barre is a higher intensity workout which really tones the body and because you move with the breath and the music it is lots of fun, you are never bored,” she said.
“I would recommend anyone who wants to mix up their work out from the usual gym stuff give barre a go.
“I also invite people with a yoga practice to give my style of barre a go, it builds a whole new level of fitness and core strength to support the yoga practice.
“I offer yoga for every ability so I invite anyone who has the slightest interest to give it a go and more experienced yogi's who have not found the right fit with a teacher come and try Align & Flow.”
Designing the studio based off where she had previously practiced or taught in, Naomi said the local space had everything.
“The studio has been mindfully designed and created to be a space that you want to come back to,” she said.
“From the chilled sparkling water on tap, to the custom made cubby holes at the entrance, to the individual barres for pilates, everything is about creating a space that you love being in.
“I put all the little touches that I have loved from the studios I have practiced or taught in here and abroad, into one boutique, luxe experience.”
The studio is set to open on Saturday 3 September with the Naomi asking for a donation to attend a class.
All funds raised going back to the Angels Community Group.
“We are having our grand opening on Saturday and offering free classes in exchange for a donation which will be going to the local Angels community lunch program to feed school children whose families do not have the resources to send them with food,” she said.
“Whatever we raise from classes my family will match so I am hoping to get full classes.
“The more funds raised the better!”
The studio is located at 12A Barolin Street, Bundaberg Central.
You can find out more about Align & Flow here.
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