The floor’s been redone and there’s great natural light. It’s slightly smaller than the old yoga studio, but Julie Hodges is excited about the fresh start to a new year for Lismore Yoga Studio.

After seven years of teaching yoga from her Molesworth Street location, Julie Hodges has moved her studio to 1/142 Keen Street, Lismore, above Ying’s Chinese Restaurant.

In the new location, she’s installed the wall ropes and props that are the trademarks of Iyengar yoga classes.

“We do lots of things with ropes - they can allow people to hang upside down. It’s great for neck issues and can traction the shoulders, hips and back,” she said. 

“The ropes also give support in poses, which is good if you are feeling sick or fatigued.

“Iyengar yoga is an intelligent practice that uses alignment to bring the mind into focus and keep the joints in the correct place.” 

Julie said for her, “yoga is like a lifelong friend”.

“It grows up with you – it’s something I can see myself doing until my last breath,” she said.

“Yoga should be for everybody - as you age, yoga is about adapting the practice to you.”

Julie teaches yoga informed by the teachings of BKS Iyengar, with a focus on adapting poses to help with all kinds of practices and ailments, from heart conditions and high blood pressure.

“There’s always a modification we can make that people can work with,” she said.

Julie has been a yoga teacher since 1996, but said her mother had been practicing yoga since the 1970s.

“She’s now 84 and still practices,” Julie said. “She said to me, ‘you should do yoga’.

“I started practicing Iyengar yoga in 1992 when I went to a yoga class in Glasgow, Scotland.

“On the first class, I felt a connection with something inside myself that was calm and peaceful - and a light bulb went on.

“I knew that was what I wanted to do. So, I practiced for two years then moved to Australia in 1994 before I did my yoga teacher training.”

Julie now teaches others to become yoga teachers and has a second teacher training course starting this year. 

“We also have a new beginners course starting on January 30 and a free community class for women on Wednesday’s from 1.15pm-2.30pm, with tea afterwards.

“I’m updating the website now with the new location details and I’m excited about the new decade and change. It’s a fresh journey with fresh learning.

For information about Lismore Yoga Studio, visit, https://lismoreyogastudio.com.au/