A century-old Moonah building is being reborn as the suburb’s first dedicated yoga and meditation centre, opening this weekend.
Musician Hugo Bladel and his mother, playwright and arts leader Jami Bladel, have transformed the former Moonah Uniting Church on Hopkins Street into the Dharma Yoga Centre.
Hugo has spent 18 months restoring and renovating the 100-year-old building, which has served as a place of worship, community hall, dance school and martial arts centre over the years.
Hugo said their shared background in the performing arts has shaped the way they approach teaching and mentoring students.
“Mum and I both trained and worked professionally as performing artists, so we understand how important it is to look after your mind and body when you do that,” Hugo said.
“Performers use as much energy as elite athletes, so methods to refill the tank are critical for your wellbeing and sustainability as a professional artist.”
Jami has studied Buddhism for nearly 50 years.
She said people do not need to be Buddhist to benefit from its philosophy and meditation techniques.
“I have three sons and I raised them with the basic buddhist principles of kindness, creativity and looking after your own wellbeing, because I wanted them to have the tools for living a good life,” she said.
The idea for the centre took shape when the pair travelled to India together and studied at a Buddhist nunnery in the Himalayas.
Hugo said they had long hoped to share what they learned with the local community.
“I know from personal experience just how much people can benefit from practicing authentic yoga and meditation,” he said.
“Moonah is such a vibrant and growing community and we’re excited to open what we believe is the area’s first dedicated yoga and meditation centre.”
The Dharma Yoga Centre will offer regular yoga, meditation and Buddhist philosophy classes for people of all ages and experience levels.
