St Margaret's is a gorgeous natural spacious Hall at the Anglican Church, 81 Pitt St Eltham.
A sanctuary
for your Yoga and Pilates. A beautiful mudbrick building designed by Robert Marshall, renovated to create
an exceptional, uplifting place for your practice.
St
Margaret's has plenty of space to spread out and relax for 18 people but our classes are generally 7 - 14 participants.
There is an abundance of natural light and air, courtyard garden outlook, peaceful
atmosphere, modern bathrooms. You'll be cosy warm in winter, and cool in summer.
Plentiful easy car parking out the front, and across the road at Eltham Hotel.
Yoga & Pilates help you feel Strong, Supple and Grounded
Term 4 ~ 2024
Eltham timetable
81 Pitt St Eltham - St Margaret's Hall at the Anglican Church
Please BYO
mat. And a block, if you have one. Some people choose to bring a blanket for
yoga relaxation.
We have resistance bands, yoga belts, hand weights and squishy balls for everyone. And spare blocks and mats in case you need one!
Payments at the venue (cash or card) or our online store.
Genius
is your guardian spirit, natural
inclination, literally 'inborn nature''.
Well-be-ing
means comfort, ease, happiness, health, contentment
Tuesday Community Yoga
Tues Morning Yoga grew from a class my friend Louise created, originally for U3A. It's now open to everyone - you are very welcome - and has a special price.
To focus on People not Paperwork, it's pay-as-you-go. Just tick the attendance sheet and put $10 in the tin.
Yoga with Gillian - mindful moderate poses and plenty of options. It's about Presence, it's about stable, supportive connection between body and mind.
The September Workshop Group at Hurstbridge Restaurant
Yoga Events ~ Hurstbridge
Special Days
A new idea to spark your practice and get together with like-minded mates at the gorgeous Bridges Restaurant, surrounded by nature, with Gillian Lazenby. Bookings essential.
Join us for Strength & Serenity, a full-day wellness retreat designed to bring balance, flexibility, and peace into your life. This unique workshop combines Pilates, Yin Yoga, and Meditation to create a holistic experience that strengthens your core, stretches your body, and calms your mind.
3 hours of Pilates, Yin yoga and meditation, morning tea and scrumptious vegetarian lunch
Dive into a world of calm and luxury with our exclusive Yoga Brunch experience! Begin your day in harmony, combining revitalizing yoga with exquisite culinary treats, all designed to enrich your body, mind, and soul.
Everyone' is welcome! I would love to see you at one of these special events, Gillian x
what are they saying
"I don’t know how she does it but
Gillian somehow blends just the right amount of repetition, novelty,
encouragement and humour in every class. I have been attending 1-2 x sessions
per week for years now and still find them challenging and absolutely critical to my
overall well-being. I am in my early 50’s but she caters to all ages
with an encyclopaedic knowledge of human physiology and history of
yoga/pilates. It’s no wonder she has had such a loyal following for so many
years, cannot recommend highly enough!" Mel S, Eltham
Our Yoga classes give you step-by-step
introduction to foundation postures. Bring wellbeing, strength and
flexibility into your daily life. In each session, we
ease shoulders, loosen hips, salute the sun and do foundation standing
poses. Inverted poses and alternatives are offered. We finish with twists, forward bends and deep relaxation.
Our favourite Yoga Benefits:
Increased energy Enhanced flexibility and strength Enhanced stamina and balance Improved muscle tone Feeling grounded and resilient Release tension & de-stress Greater concentration Profound relaxation Improved sleep quality Harmonious union of body & mind
mat pilates
Come along to focus on core strength, lengthening the spine and loosening stiff joints. Each movement is explained and variations are given to progressively challenge or ease the load. Resting positions are given so you can always recuperate between exercises.
Beginners are welcome at all Pilates classes.
10 things Pilates can do for you:
A strong core Healthy spine Long lean muscles Reduced tension Zest and ease in daily life improved posture improved flexibility increased strength and tone of core
muscles relaxation of shoulders, neck and upper back increased body awareness
General Advice
You'll be more
comfortable in unrestrictive clothing that allows freedom of
movement. You can wear shorts, track suit, leggings, whatever makes you feel
comfortable. It's good to have an extra warm layer for final
relaxation.
Pilates and
Yoga are practised without shoes. You might like to wear socks to
Pilates. Yoga is done is bare feet.
Allow 2 hours after
a meal before Yoga or Pilates, or 1 hour after a light
snack. Yoga & Pilates include twists and abdominal compression,
so you can feel uncomfortable is there's a lot of food in there!
All ages and
abilities are welcome. High school students welcome.
Children over 10 years, accompanying their parents, are very welcome as
long as they are happy to fit in with the general group :-)
We are especially keen that you work within your
limits and progress at your own pace. Murray and Gillian will guide
you - and modify poses and exercises to your individual circumstance.
If you have a
current or chronic back, neck or joint injury these classes may
not be suitable for you. Please seek the advice of your medical practitioner.
Yoga is recommended
during pregnancy, but these group Mat Pilates sessions are not suitable. Choose a yoga class appropriate to your level of experience.
Genius Wellbeing Story
Since 1994
Genius Wellbeing began with Yoga classes at Collingwood Leisure, Fitzroy Pool and Melb University in 1994 (then known as Lazenby Yoga). And expanded to Eltham in 2001. People with long memories will recall our first classes and workshops at Eltham North Hall, then moving on to Eltham North Primary School library, music room and after care room, the Diamond Creek Community Centre, Judge Book Village for many years, and now St Margaret's hall.
We teach Dynamic Yoga and Mat Pilates in
community venues, in Eltham and online. Our teaching style is practical,
personalised and down to earth. A light heart and focused mind help bring
enjoyment and diversityto your practice.
Our Yoga and Pilates will empower you to feel connected, rejuvenated and
relaxed. With consistent practice, a positive outlook
and resilience flow into every aspect of daily life.
In addition to the Eltham Timetable, we teach Yoga and Pilates at community groups in inner Melb and Melbourne University Sport. Our instructors, Claire, Cristina, Fiona, Georgia, Georgina and Shardae are inspiring, passionate teachers who can help you understand, develop skill and feel profound benefit from Yoga and Pilates.
From 1994 until 2020 Genius Wellbeing was deeply involved with Yarra Leisure with an extensive program of Yoga & Pilates at Fitzroy Pool, Richmond Recreation and Collingwood Leisure.
Classes are at the Hall, St Margaret's Anglican Church 81 Pitt St Eltham, Melbourne
your teachers
gillian lazenby
Gillian started working life as an architect, but finds
Yoga and Pilates teaching more personally fulfilling. She has practiced
yoga for over 25 years, and first trained as a teacher apprenticeship-style in
1998. She is registered with Yoga Australia and has completed many
training courses since.
murray lazenby
Murray began practicing Yoga in 1980, at age 18, initially from
a book to help recover from a serious spinal injury. Over the past
33 years he had been practicing and teaching Yoga to the highest
standard. Healthy Yoga practice can give you many internal and external
benefits. Participating is the first step.