Words by Bryony Lancaster
WHAT IS EGG OF THE UNIVERSE?
We are Sydney’s only integrated yoga studio and whole-foods café. We have two locations in Sydney; one in Rozelle that we have been running for 13 years and one in South Eveleigh that’s brand new! Together we offer around 130 classes per week across both spaces ranging from beginners classes to vinyasa yoga to yin yoga in our stunning spaces. We serve high vibration wholefoods for breakfast and lunch in our two attached café locations. Our Rozelle space is very grounded and earthy with a huge Chinese elm tree in the garden, it’s a true oasis in the inner west. Our South Eveleigh site is stylish and minimalist and super lux and sits on the edge of this burgeoning area.
THE MAIN INSPIRATION BEHIND THE CONCEPT?
My husband and I came up with the idea many years ago while we were living in London. We were sitting in our flat imagining a place where you could come and have a yoga class and stay for an amazing meal afterwards with like minded people. He has always been an amazing cook, following in the footsteps of his mother and his grandmother. He has always been interested in how to make healthy food taste amazing and feel amazing. My biggest passion is yoga and meditation and sharing it meaningfully with others so we wanted to combine the two. We wanted to provide centres where people could come and connect, to move with yoga, breathe deeply, nourish fully and build meaningful community. This is exactly
what we have created in Rozelle and we are enjoying creating something similar in our new South Eveleigh community.
BENEFITS OF YOGA AND MINDFUL EXERCISE?
Oh my goodness! There are so many! To feel more centered and grounded within ourselves, within our bodies. To feel less anxious, less depressed, to enjoy better sleep, to have better physical and emotional balance, to enjoy deeper breathing, improved digestion, more creativity. To feel more energised, to develop better body awareness and the list goes on and on and on. So many people come to yoga for the physical benefits like to improve posture or to strengthen muscles and they stay for the total life transformation that is possible over time.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE GAIN AFTER COMING TO EGG OF THE UNIVERSE?
For people to feel more connected. More content. Nourished. Both physically through the mindful movement and food we offer and also emotionally and mentally. Our ethos at Egg is to welcome people wherever they are on their path be it a brand new beginner or experienced practitioner and invite them into the experience whether that’s a yoga class or whole-foods cake! And take them on a journey towards deeper understanding and happiness. We feel it’s so important to keep it light-hearted, accessible and fun.
THOUGHTS ON GYMS VERSES SPACES LIKE EGG OF THE UNIVERSE?
I belonged to a gym for years before starting yoga and I loved it. I enjoyed working out with my friends and feeling strong. So I think wherever you can be, as long as it’s making you happy and strong it’s the right place to be. But then the day came when I stopped my gym membership and focused solely on yoga. With our yoga studios, I know a lot of our students say it is warm, not in a temperature sense (although some of our classes are slightly heated) but in the reception they receive and how it feels. It’s a welcoming place to be and has a genuine sense of community. We really care about our people and making a difference in the world one person at a time. A lot of businesses are selling connection and community as so many humans are genuinely starved of this and we feel we really do offer this as a genuine experience. It’s certainly at the forefront of all we do. We have wonderful hand picked teachers who offer a great experience of what yoga is and all our staff are chosen for their light hearted, caring and yummy-ness as people. It’s a inspiring place to be. I love going to ‘work’.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF EGG OF THE UNIVERSE?
It’s a genuine community. It’s somewhere you can come when you’re feeling down and be lifted up by those around you. Equally you can come in feeling amazing and share that positivity. Personally I have learned that in holding space for others, I am also held. In providing a space for community and connection, I am part of that too. Having had Egg Of The Universe in Rozelle for so long, we have created a sense of connection that’s been woven together over many years and it’s very solid, very real. At South Eveleigh, it’s a privilege to be building that same sense of community again, one person, one class, one meal at a time. As an inner city sanctuary it is a place for people to come and be themselves and learn to let go. My husband and I were brave/crazy enough to dream up such an idea all those years ago and now it’s a dream that’s held and supported by a team of many. It’s an uplifting place to call work and is such a wonderful place to go each day.
HOW DO WE JOIN!?
Come as you are and come and say hi. We offer classes for beginners to seasoned practitioners ranging from Vinyasa through to yin yoga and meditation. We also have regular teacher trainings with in-house and international teachers, workshops, retreats and events celebrating yoga and wholefoods with a light-hearted and accessible approach. Check out our amazing intro offers at: eggoftheuniverse.com or follow us on Instagram: eggoftheuniverse