A plan by Forster Yoga Studio to hold classes on-line had been on the drawing board for some time.
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However, the introduction of strict social distancing laws in early March following the declaration of a global pandemic, brought owner, Mia Tycehurst's plans forward a few months.
After shutting the doors of the Forster Towers based studio on March 21, it easily transitioned into on-line classes with little disruption.
"There was no interruption to the classes," Mia said.
Teachers continue to conduct classes from the studio, but instead of holding them in front of a group of students, it is in front of a camera.
With family living in Europe, Mia was well versed in the skills associated with communicating remotely efficiently and effectively.
You can train yourself to become calm; yoga is not about doing it perfectly.
- Mia Tycehurst
A week before going into shut-down Mia and her team prepared the studio and set-up the camera (iPad) ready for full classes.
"Despite this disaster it has been a dream come true, coming together and doing yoga on-line," Mia said.
The variety of yoga disciplines, which are conducted by the 10 qualified teachers, generally run for about 60 minutes.
However, with people practicing from home, students can opt in or out at any time choosing to take 30-75 minutes.
Students can book in for as long or short as they want.
According to Mia, an article published by the Harvard Medical School, Coping with coronavirus anxiety, claims yoga, meditation and controlled breathing are some tried and true ways to relax.
"You can train yourself to become calm; yoga is not about doing it perfectly."
Before embracing yoga, Swedish raised Mia worked in sports management moving from her home base in Germany for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The 45-year-old relocated to the Great Lakes in 2010 working at the YMCA in Forster before opening her studio.
Mia, who was a dancer back in Germany, discovered the benefits of yoga after separating from her daughter's father.
"I was looking for some personal development and mindfulness practices." she said.
"And, because I love movement it was ideal and it helped me; it is so healing.
"You don't have to be flexible, if you have a brain, body and lungs you can do yoga.
"It will make you feel better in your skin, and we are not focussed on being elitist.
Feedback from the 180 active members (and the close to 2000 clients on the database) has been only positive, Mia said.
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