Like many great ideas, Lucy Owens and Desiree Deravi came up with theirs while travelling overseas.

They were in the Balinese jungle at a retreat. Each day, they’d do a yoga class in an open-air pavilion and the experience of being in that space – partly undercover but still in the fresh air – was pure bliss.

Up until then, the duo had always done classes in studios, but had never really felt inspired. So, back in Melbourne they began searching out a location to teach their dynamic vinyasa classes. The Olsen Hotel on Chapel Street came on board, and Yoga Poses was born.

Early morning classes take place poolside on the deck, and there’s even a bad weather contingency with an adjacent area behind glass partitions. You can use the Olsen’s changerooms if you’re heading straight off to work afterwards, and can even order fresh fruit and veggie juices from downstairs to pick up when the class is over.

As for the benefits of being outside, Lucy thinks it enhances the practice. As for the feeling you’ll get after stretching and breathing through the class as the sun comes up – the word ‘virtuous’ comes to mind.

Yoga Poses
6.15am–7.15am Tuesday and Thursday
8.30am–9.30am and 10am–11am Saturday
$25 per class
Bookings essential