FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you're anything like us when we first started practicing yoga you might be feeling a little anxious or nervous about coming in! If you haven't been to a yoga studio before (or you haven't practiced yoga at all) it can all seem pretty intimidating. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible here at Stretch - which is why we've taken the questions we hear most frequently and compiled them into this neat little list. We've also popped some links down the bottom of the page to some blog entries we've written (especially for those newer to the weird and wonderful world of yoga), and if you still have a question that we haven't answered, just give us a call or pop us an email in the contact form below.
1. How do I find Stretch Yoga?
CBD
If you've never been here before, we are located on Level 2, 129 Margaret St. We're just up from the Albert St corner (the block in between Albert St and George St) and on the side of the road closest to the Botanic Gardens. You'll find Coffee Anthology directly across the road. The building is the beautiful heritage listed Watson Brothers building - look for the gorgeous big red door!
Holland Park
We're located directly above the Rare Pear Cafe on the Northbound side of Logan Rd. It's the block in between the Holland Park Police Station and the Holland Park Hotel, and you'll find us by going up the staircase between the cafe and dress shop (Rubylicious) and towards the back of the building. You'll find free unlimited parking on both Yuletide St and Doughty St, or (and we didn't tell you this) in the big unattended carpark behind the bottle shop ;)
2. What do I wear?
Something comfortable that you can move in. There's no need to go out and spend $120 on a brand new pair of designer yoga shorts or tights, but our hot tip is to do a mirror check first. What's a mirror check? Basically pop your outfit on, turn your back to the mirror and then fold forward and look in between your legs. It's good to check that fabrics aren't see through when they stretch (we've all been caught out on that one!). It's good to check that things don't move and pop out either - maybe jump up and down a few times and give a good shimmy too!
3. What do I need to bring?
Just your lovely self and an open mind! Most people bring a bottle of water (we have it for sale if you need it and forget) and if you have your own mat feel free to bring it - if not, mats are available for hire for $1 and we've also got a big range in the studio you can purchase. It's air-conditioned so no need for a towel unless you're doing a more intense class, or if you like to bring one to protect your wrists or cushion your knees in certain poses.
4. Does is matter if I can't touch my toes?
Fortunately for you we'll give you 2 weeks to be able to do this before kicking you out (just kidding!). It's absolutely not necessary to be able to touch your toes and super important to remember that yoga isn't about that at all. We want you to be able to work with your body to find how the pose needs to look for you - we'll teach you lots about variations and how to modify poses so that they work to help you become more flexible.
5. I'm pregnant/have an injury or limitation - is that ok?
Absolutely! Just come a little early so we can have a chat about it first. You only have to do a quick google to find stories about paraplegics still practicing yoga, quadraplegics TEACHING yoga and 93 yr old grandmas who do yoga every morning in their chair - yoga is for EVERY body, and is much more than the physical poses. We'll help you to learn how to make it work best for you.
If you are pregnant and have never practiced yoga before we recommend just checking in with your GP. If you're in your first trimester you may want to get clearance from them first, but we can happily recommend some nice gentle class styles and of course there's always our Prenatal Yoga Course which runs on Thursdays at 1pm in the CBD and Thursday nights 6:40pm and Saturdays 3:30pm at Holland Park.
6. Do I need to book for classes?
Nope! We're all about ease and simplicity and booking just kind of sucks the fun out of it. We're committed to keeping Stretch like this for as long as possible - we have beautifully large studios and have never had to turn anyone away! The earlier you're here the better the chance of securing the best spot (especially if you like being up in the back corner!). Doors open 15 minutes before classes start and if it's your first time make sure you come at least 5 minutes early so we can show you where everything is!
7. Can I claim on my private health?
Maybe! You'll need to check with your provider but many funds now give rebates for yoga so it's worth a look. Our teachers are registered with Yoga Australia and we have an NIB and Westfarmers provider number - simply talk to us at reception or pop us an email below to grab a copy of your invoices.
8. Is there parking available for the CBD studio?
Your best bet for street parking is either on Elizabeth or Charlotte St or you can pre-book online with one of the parking garages nearby. For your best deals, try after 4pm and on weekends at Secure Parking at 123 Albert St & The Myer Centre.
If you're brand new (or have only tried 1 or 2 classes at a gym or similar) then you might like to read up on some of these blog posts we've made just for you!
What to expect in your very first yoga class
Things no-one tells us about trying yoga for the first time
If you are looking for information on pricing check out the Stretch Yoga Brisbane Information and Pricing page, for class times see the Stretch Yoga Brisbane City Timetable and Stretch Yoga Holland Park Timetable, or for upcoming Course Dates try the Stretch Yoga Brisbane Course Calendar. We can't wait to meet you soon!
1. How do I find Stretch Yoga?
CBD
If you've never been here before, we are located on Level 2, 129 Margaret St. We're just up from the Albert St corner (the block in between Albert St and George St) and on the side of the road closest to the Botanic Gardens. You'll find Coffee Anthology directly across the road. The building is the beautiful heritage listed Watson Brothers building - look for the gorgeous big red door!
Holland Park
We're located directly above the Rare Pear Cafe on the Northbound side of Logan Rd. It's the block in between the Holland Park Police Station and the Holland Park Hotel, and you'll find us by going up the staircase between the cafe and dress shop (Rubylicious) and towards the back of the building. You'll find free unlimited parking on both Yuletide St and Doughty St, or (and we didn't tell you this) in the big unattended carpark behind the bottle shop ;)
2. What do I wear?
Something comfortable that you can move in. There's no need to go out and spend $120 on a brand new pair of designer yoga shorts or tights, but our hot tip is to do a mirror check first. What's a mirror check? Basically pop your outfit on, turn your back to the mirror and then fold forward and look in between your legs. It's good to check that fabrics aren't see through when they stretch (we've all been caught out on that one!). It's good to check that things don't move and pop out either - maybe jump up and down a few times and give a good shimmy too!
3. What do I need to bring?
Just your lovely self and an open mind! Most people bring a bottle of water (we have it for sale if you need it and forget) and if you have your own mat feel free to bring it - if not, mats are available for hire for $1 and we've also got a big range in the studio you can purchase. It's air-conditioned so no need for a towel unless you're doing a more intense class, or if you like to bring one to protect your wrists or cushion your knees in certain poses.
4. Does is matter if I can't touch my toes?
Fortunately for you we'll give you 2 weeks to be able to do this before kicking you out (just kidding!). It's absolutely not necessary to be able to touch your toes and super important to remember that yoga isn't about that at all. We want you to be able to work with your body to find how the pose needs to look for you - we'll teach you lots about variations and how to modify poses so that they work to help you become more flexible.
5. I'm pregnant/have an injury or limitation - is that ok?
Absolutely! Just come a little early so we can have a chat about it first. You only have to do a quick google to find stories about paraplegics still practicing yoga, quadraplegics TEACHING yoga and 93 yr old grandmas who do yoga every morning in their chair - yoga is for EVERY body, and is much more than the physical poses. We'll help you to learn how to make it work best for you.
If you are pregnant and have never practiced yoga before we recommend just checking in with your GP. If you're in your first trimester you may want to get clearance from them first, but we can happily recommend some nice gentle class styles and of course there's always our Prenatal Yoga Course which runs on Thursdays at 1pm in the CBD and Thursday nights 6:40pm and Saturdays 3:30pm at Holland Park.
6. Do I need to book for classes?
Nope! We're all about ease and simplicity and booking just kind of sucks the fun out of it. We're committed to keeping Stretch like this for as long as possible - we have beautifully large studios and have never had to turn anyone away! The earlier you're here the better the chance of securing the best spot (especially if you like being up in the back corner!). Doors open 15 minutes before classes start and if it's your first time make sure you come at least 5 minutes early so we can show you where everything is!
7. Can I claim on my private health?
Maybe! You'll need to check with your provider but many funds now give rebates for yoga so it's worth a look. Our teachers are registered with Yoga Australia and we have an NIB and Westfarmers provider number - simply talk to us at reception or pop us an email below to grab a copy of your invoices.
8. Is there parking available for the CBD studio?
Your best bet for street parking is either on Elizabeth or Charlotte St or you can pre-book online with one of the parking garages nearby. For your best deals, try after 4pm and on weekends at Secure Parking at 123 Albert St & The Myer Centre.
If you're brand new (or have only tried 1 or 2 classes at a gym or similar) then you might like to read up on some of these blog posts we've made just for you!
What to expect in your very first yoga class
Things no-one tells us about trying yoga for the first time
If you are looking for information on pricing check out the Stretch Yoga Brisbane Information and Pricing page, for class times see the Stretch Yoga Brisbane City Timetable and Stretch Yoga Holland Park Timetable, or for upcoming Course Dates try the Stretch Yoga Brisbane Course Calendar. We can't wait to meet you soon!