OUR STORY
Deb & Russ Young established Younga Yoga Studio - Wollongong's first dedicated Yoga space in 2006 with the vision to create a beautiful space that provides the community with a balanced variety of vinyasa yoga classes, inspirational events, healthy living programs and trainings to deepen one's study of Yoga.
In 2009 Younga Yoga Studio moved from Keira St to its current location in Thomas St.
Previously the Wollongong Girl Guide Hall, "The Studio" has a rich history of bringing people together, and Deb & Russ have restored it in a way that honors the past, using reclaimed materials to create a gorgeous oasis in the middle of the CBD.
Our classes are dynamic and challenging, yet we encourage our students to work at their own level and practice safely with awareness. All our classes incorporate the principals of Vinyasa Yoga (working in a moving meditation with the breath), Meditation and Pranayama.
We are committed to providing a space where people feel welcome, supported and able to experience the wide reaching benefits of Yoga.
CO-FOUNDER - RUSS YOUNG
Russ is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and has been practising Yoga for more than 20 years.
Unlike many students who start Yoga in a studio, Russ' reasons were more intrinsic and home-practiced based. He became interested in yoga as a teenager, and taught himself postures out of a book as a way of managing severe pain associated with the imbalances caused by scoliosis. This set him on a path in the health & fitness industry, first as a massage therapist, then later a Degree in Exercise Physiology.
He is a part time guest teacher for the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong, where he annually teaches Anatomy to doctors in training.
Russ has a keen background in biomechanics & functional anatomy and uses this unique knowledge in conjunction with mindfullness techniques to treat patients with a range of injuries and mental health conditions.
He initially trained with a traditional school - The Sivananda School of Yoga in Kerala, India, and like Deb has since completed various teacher trainings, retreats and workshops with Internationally acclaimed teachers in a range of styles such as Donna Farhi, David Swenson, Emil Wendel, and Flo Fenton.
In recent years Russ has created & delivered Anatomy & Physiology teacher training modules for 200hr trainings for Amy Ippoliti (Yoga Glo) and Flo Fenton.
CO-FOUNDER - DEB YOUNG
Along with Russell, Deb co-founded Younga Yoga Studio in 2006. They have grown Younga Yoga Studio into a successful business with strong community of yogis.
Deb has a Degree in Physical & Health Education & a background in dance, and when she first discovered yoga, was completely drawn into the practice as a moving meditation and a way to feel less overwhelmed.
When Deb was 7, her dad (a Vietnam Veteran) took his own life. A formative event that has given her an appreciation for life, impermanence & taking things one day at a time.
Deb loves to weave the simple teachings of yoga philosophy into her sequencing, drawing metaphors between what we practice ON the Yoga mat as a symbol for what we do in our everyday life OFF the Yoga mat.
Deb completed her initial teacher training in 2005 with some of Australia's most established teachers in the Byron Bay, Louisa Sear, Rose Baudin & Flo Fenton.
Over the years she has completed other trainings & intensives with masters such as David Swenson (Ashtanga), David Life & Sharon Gannon (Jivamukti), and more recently with Amy Ippoliti (Yoga Glo + 90Monkeys).
Deb has also completed numerous vipassana meditation retreats. A system of meditation that is introduced in an ashram type experience over 10 days in silence. As tools of pranayama (breath work) particularly helpful as a gateway to reduce stress & address the symptoms of chronic asthma.
She is a mother of two gorgeous kiddies, trained Doula and has a passion for helping women during pregnancy and beyond.
