When life gets busy, don’t let your wellbeing fall by the wayside. Take some time to look after yourself. If you need some ideas for how, here’s a round-up of ways that Dunedin can help you rest, relax and restore you.
Hot yoga
Hot yoga is the hottest exercise and wellbeing scene in town. Open every day except Christmas, and with walk-ins welcome, Hot Yoga Dunedin has around 40 classes a week and is bound to have a class and time to suit everyone. Whether you’re looking for meditative yoga or high intensity, Hot Yoga has you covered. Their great facilities and hire options for mats and towels mean that all you need to worry about is getting there.
Yoga with butterflies
We’ve all been cooped up inside far too much the past couple of years, so it’s time to get out into nature and get stretching. Obviously, when Dunedin’s a bit chilly outside, you want the nature to be warm and out of the wind, so yoga with butterflies at Otago Museum ticks all the boxes: nature, warmth and movement. The butterflies don’t teach the class, but they do add an element of joy, lightness and beauty while you’re sweating and limbering up.
Day spas
Sometimes you just have to treat yourself for a whole day if you really want to relax and feel better. Dunedin's day spas are just the thing to take away the tension, soothe the aches and pains and pamper yourself. Spa St Clair, Erban Spa and Pacific Bliss will have you feeling and looking refreshed with facials, foot baths, hot stone massages and more. Go on and book a spa treatment. You deserve it.
Taste Nature Health Clinic
Taste Nature has been taking care of us for years with their organic food and environmentally-friendly grocery products, but their integrative health clinic means they’re looking after our minds and bodies as well as the planet. With massage, supplements, nutrition, naturopathy, meditation and more, Taste Nature Health Clinic is the go-to if you are thinking about your complete health and wellbeing ... and if you’re on High Street and want a tasty lunch while you’re enquiring about health treatments.
Wild Dispensary
Wild Dispensary is good for what ails you. Their herbal remedies are produced using sustainably harvested ingredients and developed by their resident medical herbalist. Mood boosters, calming tonics, skincare, detox tonics and immune support are available via their website, from select stockists and from their stall at the Otago Farmers Market. When it comes to your wellbeing, don’t hold back. Go wild and treat yourself to remedies from the wild dispensary store.
On-form Pilates
If you’re keen to try Pilates but you aren’t big on big classes, you should check out On-form Pilates. Teaching reformer Pilates, which uses machines to ensure you have good form while you exercise, On-form offers four different classes with no more than four people in each. They also do one-on-one sessions if you prefer not to be in a class at all. In a great little spot on Prince Albert Road, you can reward yourself after a workout with a coffee and a bouquet from the neighbouring café and florist, too.
A Y U
A Y U is an inviting community space in the warehouse precinct that plays host to a range of yoga, meditation and dance classes, among other events and exhibitions. Mums and bubs yoga, meditation, resilience and movement: you name it, there’s a community group holding a class in it. If you’re looking for a particular class or just want to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening, check their website or join the mailing list.
Barre Base
Barre Base takes flexibility to new levels. Combining ballet barre exercises with yoga and Pilates, Barre Base is the place to go for your wellness, fitness and movement needs. They offer set classes, personal and small group classes, online classes, and an express lunchtime class that doesn’t eat into your spare time. So, get your stretchy pants on and take advantage of their flexible classes so you can be flexible, too.
Nu Yoga studio
Hone your existing yoga skills or learn the basics with the experienced and talented instructors at Nu Yoga. They have a timetable packed with yoga classes for all skill levels and availabilities, and classes that focus on rest and relaxation. Commit to making yoga and relaxation a regular part of your life and sign up for a membership, or test it out with an introductory or casual pass and have a nosy at their beautiful studio while you’re at it.