The longest-running yoga spot in the country, Byron Yoga Centre, is celebrating 35 years of flexing and stretching.
And founder and CEO, John Ogilvie says the ups and downs have been worth it.
He says he discovered yoga 45 years ago, after checking himself into The Buttery after struggling with drug addiction and a deep sense of emptiness.
‘By practising what I learned at The Buttery and daily yoga, eventually the black hole healed, but not without some scar tissue to remind me of where I came from. I had found peace and happiness within myself,’ said John.
Born in the Epicentre
In 1986, John taught his first yoga class, and in 1988, Byron Yoga Centre was born in the Epicentre on Belongil Beach. Here, John offered yoga classes and set up an affordable yoga teacher training program.
In 2008, the Epicentre was demolished, and that led Ogilvie to purchase the property that would become the forever home for Byron Yoga Centre on Skinners Shoot Road.
Though not unaffected by Covid and the flood, the centre has flourished and now has 30 staff, six yoga spaces, and 15 devoted teachers along with various accommodation options, with a focus on sustainability – including solar power, compost toilets, and rainwater tanks. Three acres of organic gardens are the main source of food on the menu.
A mission to get yoga in every town and village
Ogilvie says, ‘Our mission statement is to try to get yoga practice in every town and village. One of our main activities is to train people to be yoga teachers, so they can go out and spread yoga.
‘I’ve found that people practising yoga become more caring and sharing, and in that practice, they practise being caring and sharing.
‘Our vision is to bring an end to global warfare and global famine. Our logo circles show the benefits of yoga rippling out. We’re trying to hit that tipping point. “They” say if you get one per cent of a population, you can make change – but they say in a nation, .01 per cent could be enough. And if you talk globally .001 per cent might be enough.’
To celebrate their 35 years, Byron Yoga Centre is giving away a seven-day yoga retreat. To enter, tell them in 35 words why you need a yoga retreat at Byron Yoga Centre. Find out more at: byronyoga.com.
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