We didn’t always look like this.
Our studio humbly began in the midst of a global pandemic by running donation-only classes on the carpet floor of nightclub. A few months later, we shifted to a cute vintage church, and then a few months more, we moved into our beautiful forever home at 299 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.
No matter where we were, our sangha (community) kept growing: new classes, new teachers, new faces….
Amongst our transformation, what has been consistent from the very beginning, is how Antara FEELS.
Our studio humbly began in the midst of a global pandemic by running donation-only classes on the carpet floor of nightclub. A few months later, we shifted to a cute vintage church, and then a few months more, we moved into our beautiful forever home at 299 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.
No matter where we were, our sangha (community) kept growing: new classes, new teachers, new faces….
Amongst our transformation, what has been consistent from the very beginning, is how Antara FEELS.
Warm and welcoming…. like returning home.
It is with the purest intentions and most-open of hearts that we welcome you not only into our spaces and classes, but also into our extraordinary family.
It is with the purest intentions and most-open of hearts that we welcome you not only into our spaces and classes, but also into our extraordinary family.
Warm and welcoming…. like returning home.
‘Atha.’
Now.
The very first word of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
A word of so many meaning, images and feelings that was so loudly and clearly repeating to me during a time that would have been easier spent retreating or timidly dreaming.
Now, I am humbly proud and excited to offer you what has become one of the most profound threads of my life, here, at Antara Studios.
Born and raised in Toowoomba, I came into my own yoga practice not long after the birth of my third child. I fell in love with the changing experience – no two are ever the same, through space, posture, time or teacher. I learned the true meaning of gratitude, compassion and acceptance, and I learned that I will continue to re-learn this for every day of my life.
It took me a good number years to discover and feel that movement and mindfulness practices are to be shared with the world, and that I was capable. It took a few years more for this studio and community to appear – and for every beautiful teacher, every incredible client and every heartfelt intention in this process, I am infinitely grateful.
I know first-hand that to find compassion and resilience in our steps and our stillness is just as important off the mat as it is on. To take that same strength, vulnerability and kindness into the real world – and be comfortable in it - is the true practice.
What an honour it is for our team to stand beside you in spaces and opportunities that stimulate and maintain inner growth; to nurture, understand, explore, challenge, rest, repair and release on the way to knowing and experiencing our truest selves.
Welcome to Antara Studios – I am thrilled that you are here.
Amy x
OUR TEAM
KINDNESS and COMPASSION are the golden threads of our studio – ALL of our teachers are strong advocates of this and are equally as dedicated to their modalities. We share knowledge that is ingrained with tradition; we are grounding, supportive and we are sincere. We also laugh, hiccup, mix up our lefts and rights, and have families and lives and other jobs outside of our mats…. We are real, honest, and relatable beings - just like you!
Meet Katie
Also affectionately known by some as ‘The Abs Assassin,’ this beautiful soul has been with us right from the beginning. A mother of three teenagers, her kind heart and calming energy brings a wealth of experience to our studio. With a keen interest in environmental sustainability, she has donated her time to charities that clear debris from waterways and beaches, and helps to care for sick and injured marine life.
It’s this humility and genuine thoughtfulness that we love the most.
Meet Jess
Jess’ journey with yoga began some years ago in a bid to support her mental and emotional wellbeing – and after gifting her more than she could ever have imagined, the journey evolved…. Now she stands on the teachers’ mat, supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of others and normalising expectations.
With a driving passion for encouraging and inclusive classes, Jess loves to teach using props – expect to use bolsters, blocks, straps…. The whole suite!
Meet Matt
“After 23 years in building and construction, my body was all but broken. I came to yoga to help repair my physical body. I had no idea where it would take me.
It’s been over three years since I walked into my first yoga class; I was incredibly fortunate to meet two mentors who believed in me. I’ve since been given a wonderful opportunity to teach what I’m learning – Antara has amazing vibrations! I feel so lucky to share the space.
During my teacher training I sat and served two 10-day silent meditation seminars. Meditation in silence is what I love the most about my practice. No verbalisation, no visitation. Just your breath and your mind.
If you trust the path you’re on, it makes life a whole lot easier to deal with.”
Meet Carolyn
Carolyn walked into her first yoga class 20 years ago and never looked back!
"As a teacher I am passionate about creating classes that get students out of their head and into their bodies. I love using props and providing variations of poses so that students can adapt the practice and make it their own".
Off the mat Carolyn is a proud mumma, loving wife, artist, nature lover and all around super inspired chicka!
Meet Mel K
“In my schooling years I was an Australian champion discus thrower. Being in the competitive sports arena, I ran into a few injuries along the way
So, I started reformer Pilates to help with a persistent back injury and a few other niggles. I fell in love and decided that I needed to share this beautiful form of movement with everyone and teach!
Pilates’ strengthening and lengthening allowed me to fine tune my body and keep injuries away, while working on my balance and coordination all at the same time. It’s also helped me to feel strong in other areas of my fitness training.
I love that no matter your age or ability, Pilates is the perfect movement for everyone. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my clients surprise themselves with what they are capable of…. Oh, and seeing their faces when it gets nice and spicy is good, too!”
Meet Mel J
Whether it’s on the mat or the reformer, Mel LOVES mixing up routine and bringing a fresh Pilates burn to our studio. Even more, she loves the feel of community and support that is formed in her classes. (The courage, the sweat and the challenges are really just the icing on the cake!)
Mel’s love of Pilates was really piqued when her sons began training and looking for ways to improve their strength for team sport. Arms and legs, no issue – but core?? That was the missing piece. She’s passionate about technique, safety and the long-term benefits of building inner and outer strength and flexibility…. And you can be sure to visit each of these elements in every single one of her classes (a few times over!).
Meet Heather
Heather has been teaching with Antara since our earliest days.
“I began yoga wanting to exercise my body but eventually realised it was my heart and mind that received the best work out. I believe that yoga is not about ‘looking good’ or ‘being good’ at it, but being good to yourself. Yoga is for everyone and every body and everyone’s yoga journey is perfectly unique and worthwhile.”
Meet Alisha
"While I have been a lover of yoga for a long time, it has been within the last five years that this practice really deepened for me personally.
Yoga taught me how to nourish my mind, body, and spirit and also how to restore my nervous system. I loved the magic of yoga so much and how it made me feel that I wanted to share this practice with others.
Working as a Clinical Psychologist and Energy Medicine Practitioner, I felt yoga was the missing piece in how I was working with individuals and groups. I love incorporating my knowledge across my different holistic health modalities and combing that with my yoga practice to help others develop strength in their mind and body.
It is such a gift to be a part of the beautiful Antara community and teaching team. “
Meet Dana
Dana has been practising and loving Pilates for well over 15 years, and became a Pilates instructor to show the world exactly how much fun you can have in moving your body.
She’s infamous for “that jumpboard” and her favourite exercise of all time is the plank to pike – in every which way that you can do it!
She can also play the saxophone, drive a tractor and manage detailed excel spreadsheets like it’s nobody’s business. Multi-talented!
Meet Amber
Pilates assisted Amber in the recovery and rebuilding of her body after an emergency c-section – in particular, her core strength, but also with other less dominant issues such as clicking hips and shoulders.
Two more babies and seven years of teaching later, Amber still loves sharing the benefits of Pilates (and that beautiful burn of hers!) with her clients.
“My favourite Joseph Pilates quote is ‘In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference, and in 30, you’ll have new body.’ I felt that this was the case for me, especially after having babies – not just superficially, but internally….. I felt more aligned.”
Meet Sarah
After discovering the endless benefits of yoga after my very first class, I attended years of practice before I studied my foundational 200hr training. I have since completed over 500 hours of yoga teacher training with a group of incredibly talented and knowledgeable teachers. Although my greatest teacher by far, has been my beautiful daughter and the journey of Mummahood.
I long to share my love of movement, meditation and wholistic health. I invite my students to step away from the constant movement of life to find moments of stillness on the mat, so they may experience the healing and balancing power of the practice.
Barre is my other go-to movement practice as I really enjoy the functional movement and strength it creates in the body.
My teaching comes from my heart, because it’s the only way I know how to be. So I look forward to sharing my heartfelt teachings with this wonderful community.
Meet Jaimee
Jaimee is as cool as a cucumber, but brings a spicy spicy game to the reformer studio here at Antara. You’ll be feeling the after effects for days in all the right places…. And if you know, you know!
“When I was 16, I was diagnosed with compartment syndrome in my lower legs, and yoga and pilates was recommended as maintenance to avoid surgery. It’s now many, many years later, and no surgery yet!”
Meet Kath
"I've always had a fascination with the way we move, our biomechanics and all the possibilities that could be. Add to that, a passion for beautiful music and the utmost respect for the ancient teachings that are available to us.
Life experience has given me an understanding and appreciation for self reflection, self worth, benefits of mindfulness and meditation and the importance of simply breathing well; the need also, to manage challenging and stressful situations that are so common with our modern lifestyle; most importantly, it's realising the ability we all have within, to change our state with a completely holistic approach to our practice.
I strive to provide a thoughtful practice allowing for diversity, individuality and kindness. A space where practitioners can learn, gain confidence and feel really good about themselves."
Meet Casey
"I did my first yoga teacher training in 2018 when my eldest was 18 months old... it was so rewarding and the biggest thing I took away was not the poses, but the breathwork and the meditation components.
At the time, I wasn't planning on teaching but after completing 'yoga for physio' courses, I took a deeper dive - in 2021 I completed another yoga teacher training, with the intention to teach AND to incorporate more into my physio sessions in clinic.
For me the beauty of yoga is really in feeling into the body as it moves, slowing down the breath and becoming present with yourself for that small part of the day and I think this is what really makes it accessible and adaptable for everyone. I really hope that when people come to my classes this is what they walk away with.
I really feel like career wise I have come full circle - my first uni course (I've done 3 degrees!) was exercise science - and I didn't pursue that because, in my own young dumb words, "no one wants to be taught fitness by an old lady" I truly didn't see the longevity of it... what an idiot... Interestingly now all I want to do is help people rediscover the joy of moving their bodies!"
Meet Kelly O
“I’m a wife, mum, nurse, chocolate addict and now, a pilates instructor.
I fell in love with pilates many years ago when my mum and I went on a yoga and pilates retreat in Yamba. I love the way pilates works on concentration and control while making you feel strong.
I chose to become a teacher because I’m so passionate about moving your body in a way that feels god to you. I found that in Pilates and I want to tach and share that with as many people as I can.
I can’t wait to see you all in class and I hope you leave feeling proud, strong, and with a smile on your face.”
Meet Elissa
Elissa started dancing at the tender age of seven before training at the Australian Ballet School and going on to dance with Opera Australia. She’s now a qualified Royal Academy of Dance examiner: a job that takes her all over the country to train and examine other dancers in classical ballet.
Her passion for Pilates began at age 15 and it’s been a massive element of her life ever since – and, she absolutely loves sharing the numerous amazing benefits with others.
Elissa has three daughters and two Daschunds; she’s fuelled by coffee and has a BIG love for lipstick – we’re very grateful to have her here at Antara.
Meet Vanessa
A third generation, classically-trained yogi and a gifted kinesiologist, Vanessa has a passion for creating space for you to discover your own shapes and thoughts, without attachment to outcome or preconceived ideas.
She’s taught pretty much everything in her time, from yoga to barre to pilates, but her absolute favourite class to teach is meditation.
Meet Hannah
"I became interested in yoga and its rich history from a young age - both of my parents did yoga growing up. My mum took me to my first yoga class at the of age 10 while living in Mission Beach FNQ, and I have not strayed since!
Yoga continues to support my dyslexia - something that has been part of me since I could remember; it strengthens my cross-body connections and the way I may interpret information through movement.
In 2022 I decided it was time to explore and further my journey with yoga studies, and here I am!
I believe yoga is a never-ending learning journey, whether it’s the practice itself or the rich history, and I personally find a lot of comfort in that.
And I am thrilled to be here, sharing this experience with you.”
Meet Bridget
"I have been a yoga teacher for over 7 years and started teaching at Antara in February.
I have always been interested in health and fitness and first started yoga as a physical outlet but knew it would also create a sense of calm in my life. I just didn't realise at the time how yoga could have such an impact in all aspects of life.
When I am not teaching yoga, I am teaching high school students or running my own little crew around to school, sport and work".
Meet Monique
"I am a former dancer and contortionist - as soon as I started practising Pilates, I fell in-love with all of its' principals and the movement of the body.
I absolutely love life and people, and there’s an energy inside of me that ignites whenever I teach a class.
I’ve been teaching Pilates for 13 years now and I’m so grateful that I have found my passion so early in my life. ".
Meet Eden
“I have been in the health and fitness industry for over 8 years now, learning and teaching all different forms of physical activity and movement. Which to much of my excitement has now lead me down the road and into Pilates; both Mat & Reformer!
I absolutely love teaching as it gives me the opportunity to try and put a smile on the many beautiful faces that fill our studio each and everyday”.
Meet Jess H
"Since becoming a mom with my first daughter, I knew I didn’t want to go back to the industry I previously worked in. With a true passion for health and wellbeing, that’s where my personal journey with Pilates began and developed into me becoming a teacher…since starting at Antara last year, I have never felt so fulfilled to be doing something that I love and to be able to share that with those that come to my classes is special."
Meet Elissa
Elissa started dancing at the tender age of seven before training at the Australian Ballet School and going on to dance with Opera Australia. She’s now a qualified Royal Academy of Dance examiner: a job that takes her all over the country to train and examine other dancers in classical ballet.
Her passion for Pilates began at age 15 and it’s been a massive element of her life ever since – and, she absolutely loves sharing the numerous amazing benefits with others.
Elissa has three daughters and two Daschunds; she’s fuelled by coffee and has a BIG love for lipstick – we’re very grateful to have her here at Antara.
Meet Vanessa
A third generation, classically-trained yogi and a gifted kinesiologist, Vanessa has a passion for creating space for you to discover your own shapes and thoughts, without attachment to outcome or preconceived ideas.
She’s taught pretty much everything in her time, from yoga to barre to pilates, but her absolute favourite class to teach is meditation.
Meet Hannah
"I became interested in yoga and its rich history from a young age - both of my parents did yoga growing up. My mum took me to my first yoga class at the of age 10 while living in Mission Beach FNQ, and I have not strayed since!
Yoga continues to support my dyslexia - something that has been part of me since I could remember; it strengthens my cross-body connections and the way I may interpret information through movement.
In 2022 I decided it was time to explore and further my journey with yoga studies, and here I am!
I believe yoga is a never-ending learning journey, whether it’s the practice itself or the rich history, and I personally find a lot of comfort in that.
And I am thrilled to be here, sharing this experience with you.”
Meet our In-house Magic Makers
Clinical Naturopath & Clinical Nutritionist
Melissa Awde
“Holistic medicine and nutrition is my passion. I love empowering patients to understand their bodies and discover the gentle power of the healing arts.
As an Integrative Nutritionist, I enjoy being able to bridge the gap between holistic and western medicine while providing a safe and nurturing atmosphere in which to heal. I am always looking to integrate new treatments and therapies into my practice and believe that continued learning is important for any good practitioner.”
Specialising in gut health, hormones, sleep & anxiety, blood sugar regulation and a true PLETHORA of other health concerns, Melissa can support you in-clinic or online.
Clinical Naturopath AND Clinical Nutritionist, Melissa Awde, has officially opened her doors within Antara Studios!
Bellies & Bubs Yoga & Massage
Leah Palmer-O'Malley
I’ve been on this amazing journey for 20 years, holding space and helping Mumma’s find alignment and balance and wellness during their pregnancies and life post-birth.
My aim in my Pregnancy and Birth in Balance yoga classes, is to not only infuse all the beautiful elements of yoga; but also to provide tools and techniques for optimal mumma and bubba positioning, soft-tissue balance and alignment and therefore a more comfortable and empowered pregnancy and birth.
I’m so grateful and incredibly blessed that my passion has become my life’s work and to be a part of the beautiful ‘virya’ (energy) and ‘sangha’ (community/family) that is the essence of Amy and Antara Studios.
ABOUT OUR BUILDING
Our space is truely unique - this beautiful building has withstood and seen so much transformation in her long lifetime: it was once a motor mechanic repair house, a Turkish restaurant, administration office and a dance studio. She’s experienced severe flooding, destructive fire, huge infrastructure expansion and massive commercial developments.
This transformation in particular has also been challenging: by some force of magic, she has retained most of her original bones and character as practically possible as she begins her next adventure as the home of our yoga, Pilates and meditation studio.
Perhaps it’s here that you’ll experience your own transformation.
The team at StruXi Design were instrumental in bringing this vision to life, infusing it with elements that matter to us - space, warmth, integrity. If you have a building project that needs some extra attention, care and alchemy, then these guys are your people.
Head to their website to check them out: www.struxi.com.au
Our space is truely unique - this beautiful building has withstood and seen so much transformation in her long lifetime: it was once a motor mechanic repair house, a Turkish restaurant, administration office and a dance studio. She’s experienced severe flooding, destructive fire, huge infrastructure expansion and massive commercial developments.
This transformation in particular has also been challenging: by some force of magic, she has retained most of her original bones and character as practically possible as she begins her next adventure as the home of our yoga, Pilates and meditation studio.
Perhaps it’s here that you’ll experience your own transformation.
The team at StruXi Design were instrumental in bringing this vision to life, infusing it with elements that matter to us - space, warmth, integrity. If you have a building project that needs some extra attention, care and alchemy, then these guys are your people.
Head to their website to check them out: www.struxi.com.au
Our space is truely unique - this beautiful building has withstood and seen so much transformation in her long lifetime: it was once a motor mechanic repair house, a Turkish restaurant, administration office and a dance studio. She’s experienced severe flooding, destructive fire, huge infrastructure expansion and massive commercial developments.
This transformation in particular has also been challenging: by some force of magic, she has retained most of her original bones and character as practically possible as she begins her next adventure as the home of our yoga, Pilates and meditation studio.
Perhaps it’s here that you’ll experience your own transformation.
The team at StruXi Design were instrumental in bringing this vision to life, infusing it with elements that matter to us - space, warmth, integrity. If you have a building project that needs some extra attention, care and alchemy, then these guys are your people.
Head to their website to check them out: www.struxi.com.au
Tom and his incredible team at Lavish Constructions are the real deal: superior craftsmen, true magicians and genuinely beautiful people. This renovation project threw every challenge imaginable at them, and this extraordinary result is an honest testament to their labour of love and true passion for 'doing things the right way.' We are forever grateful to the Lavish team for their patience, persistence and vision as we breathed life back into this iconic building.
View their amazing work at www.lavishconstructions.com.au
Our space is truely unique - this beautiful building has withstood and seen so much transformation in her long lifetime: it was once a motor mechanic repair house, a Turkish restaurant, administration office and a dance studio. She’s experienced severe flooding, destructive fire, huge infrastructure expansion and massive commercial developments.
This transformation in particular has also been challenging: by some force of magic, she has retained most of her original bones and character as practically possible as she begins her next adventure as the home of our yoga, Pilates and meditation studio.
Perhaps it’s here that you’ll experience your own transformation.
The team at StruXi Design were instrumental in bringing this vision to life, infusing it with elements that matter to us - space, warmth, integrity. If you have a building project that needs some extra attention, care and alchemy, then these guys are your people.
Head to their website to check them out: www.struxi.com.au
