By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The karma train has arrived fortuitously for stricken customers of a closed-down Narre Warren South yoga studio.
Several customers claim to have paid up for membership and a yoga retreat just days before Now, Yoga studio at Amberly Park shopping centre suddenly closed its doors.
There seemed little recourse for customers – the business’s phone, internet and Facebook sites are disconnected, its premises vacant.
On the front door is a notice for more than $13,000 in rent arrears addressed to the studio’s tenants Melise Weatherlake and Tony Simpson, with letters from Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal pushed under the door.
To the rescue came Mandala Mindfulness yoga teacher Jacqueline Powell – with an active philosophy of “loving kindness”.
Her studio has offered free classes and a free yoga retreat to the students as well as a helping hand for the unemployed studio teachers.
So far up to six customers have made enquiries.
“I thought it’s really not fair for (the customers) paying money to do a good thing for themselves, and for that to happen.
“Even if no one takes up the offer, at least I can put a smile on their face.
“It’s nice to shine a light. It’s not all bad out there.”
The offer comes at some personal cost to Ms Powell. “But if I can afford it and have means to do it, why not?
“Just pay it forward.”
Ms Powell took up yoga six years ago after taking time off work to overcome stress and anxiety.
“It just allows me to function at 100 miles an hour if I need to. It makes me more relaxed, calmer and energetic.”
She now teaches the craft together with meditation, while holding a full-time job in property development.
She is also offering a free open day at her studio at 58-60 Victor Crescent, Narre Warren on Saturday, 17 February at 9am-5pm. For details go to ‘Mandala Mindfulness’ Facebook page.
