Can’t twist yourself into a pretzel? Nursing a recent or chronic (long-term) injury? Don’t you worry!

During class you will be provided with variations of each pose and the option to use props including blocks, straps, blankets or a bolster to either build up or lessen the intensity.

Sometimes an alternative pose will be suggested for the target muscle area. However, you know your body better than anyone, so please honour your abilities during the session and if tension turns to pain, ease out of that pose and rest.

Congratulations! Yoga can be a beautiful experience during your pregnancy journey – breathing and meditation techniques can assist with sleep, regulating emotions and coping with labour and delivery. Appropriate and mindful asana (poses) can be practiced right to the end of your third trimester, so long as you are comfortable.

Please seek medical clearance from your GP, OB/GYN or relevant specialist, and do see me before EVERY class so we can discuss how you are feeling and ways to modify your practice for the safety of both you and your precious baby.

Yoga is also a wonderful way to recover post-partum (and for you to have some “time out” from bubs)! When you are ready (any time from 8 weeks after the birth), get yourself a babysitter and give a go at attending the less physically demanding classes of Gentle/Novice or Yin & Meditation to start the healing process, and to build up your strength and resiliency. Your body and your mind will thank you for it!

You are not alone. For many of us it can take time to feel comfortable with new settings and experiences. Please know that I wish for you to feel as safe and cared for as possible. My approach to yoga is inclusive, respectful and trauma-informed.

If you wish, you may set yourself up in the back row with no-one behind you, or opt out of some poses if you think they might be a trigger. Should you find yourself needing a moment at any time during the class, find a position where you can rest and breathe. Join back in again only when you feel ready.

The door to the yoga room may be closed, but it is never locked. You may remove yourself from the room at any time. Please don’t leave the premises without first allowing me to see to your welfare. I wish to help where I can. :)

Should you still feel uncomfortable about practicing yoga with others, arrangements can be made for private 1:1 sessions. If this is your preference, please reach out so we can discuss your needs.

Classes are capped at a maximum of 12 students to ensure each one of you can have my attention. It’s best to secure your place with online booking through this website so you don’t miss out. However, if you turn up without a booking and the class is not yet full, you are more than welcome to join us!

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of your first booked class to fill in the Registration & Waiver Form and so I can take you on a tour around the studio.

Walk-ins MUST make payment before the class begins. Credit card and EFTPOS payments are accepted via Square Card Reader. Cash payments can be arranged by prior agreement, but please note that, by default, cash is not kept on the premises.

Sometimes, life gets in the way of our plans, I get it.

Please note: A strict 3-hour cancellation policy applies to all bookings. Cancellations, absences and no-shows within the 3-hour window prior to the start of class will result in forfeit of the booking fee.

When you cancel your booking outside the 3-hour window, you will be refunded the full amount back to the same account, or you may choose to gain a credit for your account/class pass. No cash refunds will be given. (Please note that electronic refunds may take up to 7 days to process and become visible in your account.)

You also have the option of rescheduling your booking to any available class, of the same duration, at a future day or time.

Eg 1: If you originally booked a 60-minute Slow Flow class, you could reschedule to a 60-minute Yin & Meditation class on another day.

Eg 2: If you had to cancel a 75-minute Hatha Session, you may ONLY reschedule to another Hatha Session.

The temperature and airflow of the room is adjusted seasonally for your comfort, but generally you can expect to be in a comfortable 16-24 degrees.

Bikram or Hot Yoga is not offered at this studio.

Physical movement on a full stomach isn’t very comfortable! Many yoga poses stimulate, massage and detoxify the digestive system, so it is recommended that you come to class in either a fasted state, or at least 2 hours from your last meal. Make sure you have emptied your bladder and bowels and have had enough water before class to stay hydrated.

*** PLEASE NOTE: Due to some students having severe life-threatening food allergies, Tania Alexander Yoga and Deshi-Do Martial Arts Studio have a STRICT NO NUT policy. Please do not consume snacks or meals containing nuts of any kind on the premises. ***

You must remove and store your shoes downstairs in the cubicles provided. This is a strict policy of Deshi-Do Martial Arts Studio. It is expected that you practice barefoot for greater control, stability and connection to the ground. Should you wish to wear socks, try to opt for non-slip grip soles.

Wear comfortable clothes that allow your body to move freely, but please ensure you're all tucked in! As this is a no-judgement zone, you are respectfully asked to remain modestly covered from torso to mid-thigh. (No bare chests, bellies or bum-cheeks!)

You may already have your own yoga “kit” but if you forget your mat, or don’t have one, there are plenty of mats and props available for you to use at the studio. For hygiene purposes, you may wish to bring a towel or small blanket to place over your borrowed bolster. After class, please wipe clean any mats, straps or blocks before popping them back where they belong. Disinfecting wipes are provided by the studio.

Your shoes must remain downstairs in the storage cubicles. You may bring your other belongings upstairs and keep them in the storeroom at the back of the yoga room. There is shelving provided in the yoga room itself if you wish to keep your valuables (purse, phone, keys, etc) in sight.

Water bottles ARE allowed in the Yoga Room (no glass, please).

Close to Princes Highway and the M1 Monash Freeway, Tania Alexander Yoga is located on Level 1 of Deshi-Do Martial Arts Studio. Enter the 104 Ferntree Gully Road Business Complex from either Ferntree Gully Road or Dublin Street.

ON SATURDAYS parking directly in front of the studio is strictly reserved for staff only, or to be kept clear for yoga and karate student access. The safety of everyone entering and exiting the studio is paramount.

Student parking is available in the two lower car parks, behind the last building to the right of the roundabout, or there are 10 further parking spots in a car park with access from Dublin Street (watch this How To Get To The Studio video). Please be aware that some parking restrictions are in force in the surrounding streets.

If you travel by bus, Routes 693 and 742 both stop near the corner of Dublin Street and Ferntree Gully Road.

You should make it a priority to arrive 5-10 minutes early to class, to give yourself time to set up, and settle down. You are asked to keep in mind the teachings of Bramacharya (behavioural conduct) and Tapas (correct living / routines / discipline).

Latecomers are terribly disruptive to everyone in any class format. However, if you’ve arrived after class has begun, please do your best to join us quickly, quietly, and with respect for your fellow students.

When you book your class, you are committing yourself to the full experience of the practice, including the all-important – and much sought after – Savasana. But if you know you MUST leave before the end of class, I ask that you let me know at the start, set up your mat close to the door, and tiptoe out before the rest of the class has settled into final relaxation.

Deshi-Do Martial Arts Studio is a shared venue for yoga, karate and personal training classes for kids, teens, and adults. There is a small lounge/viewing room for parents & carers or partners, but as this is not continually monitored, there is no provision for child minding.

Children are NOT allowed to wait in the foyer or lounge/viewing room while their parents attend a class.

If your child/ren are of secondary school age, they may join us to participate in the yoga class after you have signed consent on their Registration & Waiver form. Please make prior arrangements to have your younger child/ren minded offsite while you attend class.

Covid-19 restrictions for Victoria no longer apply. However, common sense must prevail. Therefore, please consider the following points when booking and attending your in-studio class:

If you feel unwell, please stay home until your symptoms have subsided and you have recovered your vitality. You can cancel or reschedule your class (conditions apply) through the online booking system on this website.

Consider the placement of your mat for practice. You should be able to stretch your arms or legs without touching your neighbour.

The wearing of a face mask is optional. Judgement of others for their choice in this matter will not be tolerated. Please be aware that some breathing practices may be impacted by different mask types, should you choose to wear one.

Bringing a towel or small blanket to cover your bolster is recommended. If you have borrowed a mat or props, please wipe them with the provided disinfecting wipes after use, then put them away.

All staff and students are expected to practice hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette. Hand sanitiser and tissues are provided by the studio.

Regular cleaning of general areas and high touch points will be undertaken by staff.