A regular yoga practice increases concentration, boosts energy levels, and helps to reduce stress. Anything that can help to reduce stress is encouraged in our modern age, given too much stress can cause havoc, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Yoga teaches present-moment awareness, and inspires an honest respect for the body and what it can do, which may challenge preconceptions and/or open the mind to new possibilities.

The path of yoga is a journey towards open-heartedness and greater mental clarity, to help us align with the transcendental self, the atma or the divine, which is the ultimate reality. The underlying principles of yoga – the union of body, mind and spirit to create freedom, compassion and harmony – create the basis for the modern yoga practice.

As a purely physical practice, the Yoga Synergy method of yoga helps students to develop strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Ultimately, however, yoga is an ancient practice that delves into the philosophical and the spiritual, as well as the physical.

The Yoga Synergy method is based on 6 dynamic sequences, specifically designed by Bianca and Simon, the founders of Yoga Synergy. Each sequence is taught progressively over a nine-week period. You can start at any time in the 9 week cycle. We recommend starting with a YS-Vinyasa (Level 1) class even if you are experienced, to familiarise yourself with the Yoga Synergy method before diving into the YS-Dynamic (Level 2) class. In the early weeks of a 9 week program, there is detailed instruction and less adjustment, laying the foundations for the practice. From here, we progress each week towards a flowing meditative practice with very few instructions. New postures are introduced and explained each week until the entire sequence is learned, and from weeks three to eight, the teacher will adjust students in different parts of the sequence. No matter where you start in the nine-week program, you will still get a taste for how the Yoga Synergy method works, and if you feel you’ve missed anything, it’s something to look forward to in the next sequence! Everybody’s physical and mental needs are different and change on a daily basis, so it’s very important you work at your own level in class. To facilitate everybody working at a level appropriate to them, the Yoga Synergy method teaches that every pose (asana) or dynamic exercise of movement with breath (vinyasa) have a simple and a complex version. And we encourage you, as the practitioner to choose which is appropriate for you to do in each moment. Download the Mindbody App: and find Yoga Synergy for all up to date class times and teachers.

We recommend a YS-Vinyasa (Level 1) class for all new students to Yoga Synergy – even if you’ve had experience before, just to get a feel for a new style before you try the YS-Dynamic (Level 2) classes

Every Yoga Synergy (YS) class (YS-Vinyasa and YS-Dynamic) follows a nine-week progressive sequence, which you can start at any time. The sequences are designed to introduce you to the Yoga Synergy method, which is hatha yoga combined with a sound knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Even if you’ve done other styles of yoga, we recommend you do a YS-Vinyasa class first, to help you adjust to the Yoga Synergy method.

In a YS-Vinyasa class the teacher will do the simple versions of the postures so new students can follow. (See ‘Yoga Synergy Sequences’ for more information about our sequences.)

In both our YS-Vinyasa and YS-Dynamic classes, every posture has a simple and a complex variation so you can choose what is appropriate for you, from day to day, moment to moment. You may like to make your practice strong one day, more gentle the next, or in a class you may choose to do a combination of strong and gentle postures – it’s up to you, your body and your energy levels. The teacher will always direct you towards the simpler versions of the postures until you feel comfortable to progress.

All classes include students at a range of levels, from the beginner to the more advanced. If you’re new, try not to be intimidated – you’ll soon learn with the Yoga Synergy method that everyone in the class works to their own ability and according to their own needs. No one will be judging where you are at. No one is even concerned with what others are doing – except of course the teacher! It’s very important you pay attention to your own body and work in a way that feels good to you, so that the practice nurtures and energises you.

Yes! In the early weeks of the sequence there is a lot of detailed instruction and we move more slowly. From here, we progress each week towards a flowing meditative practice with very few instructions. New postures are introduced and explained each week until the entire sequence is learned, and from weeks three to eight, we adjust students in different parts of the sequence.

No matter where you start in the nine-week sequence, you will still get a taste for how the Yoga Synergy method works, and if you feel you’ve missed anything, it’s something to look forward to in the next sequence!

Everybody’s physical and mental needs are different and change on a daily basis, so it’s very important you work at your own level in class. That’s why in the Yoga Synergy method, every pose (asana) or dynamic exercise of movement with breath (vinyasa) have a simple and a complex version.

At our Newtown location, we have toilets but no showers. Please bring your own mat as we are unable to lend mats out now.

You can pre-book with the Minbody online app, which we recommend you do. We have returned to a pre-booked 9 week course structure which means committing to one class per week. If you wish to do more classes there are discounts for second, third and fourth class booked is free.

We have intro pass available for the first 4 weeks of a sequence to enable new people to come and try – or you can purchase drop in classes if you are unable to commit.

We find that the commitment is what makes it all worthwhile, and enables you to learn something that you can take with you for life.

You are very welcome to come along to any of our YS-Vinyasa classes at our  Newtown studios – all teachers are trained to safely teach pregnant women in these classes. Please call 0417441646 before you come so you can have a chat with Bianca who will advise you on what class is best for you to attend.

It’s best to arrive 15 minutes before your first class starts, so you can meet the teacher, get set up and be ready for class with no stress. Remember to allow a bit more time on your first visit to park, find the studio and get changed, if you need to.

Try not to eat a large meal two hours before class, and be well hydrated. Have water ready for after class, but we do not encourage our students to drink water while they practice as it can make you feel nauseous. We also don’t recommend you drink excessive amounts of water before a class. If you’re super hungry before class, have a piece of fruit or something small such as an energy ball.

A yoga mat, if you have one. Also bring a towel if you sweat a lot. We don’t advise drinking water during the class but before or after of course.
We recommend bringing a light blanket if you get cold when lying down and especially in the cooler months.

It is preferable for hygienic reasons to use your own mat, if you would like advice as to which mats are best please email bianca@yogasynergy.com,
JADE mats are usually very good.

It’s a good idea to wear fitted, comfortable clothes that stretch and breathe with your body, to allow you the greatest range of movement. Fitted, comfortable clothes will also enable your teacher to see how your body moves.

We practise yoga with bare feet so please arrive with clean feet and leave your shoes at the studio entrance.

Note: For women, flared or loose clothes may seem comfortable, but don’t allow the teacher or you to clearly see how your body is positioned. It’s better to wear yoga tights that come in around the ankle. For men, a singlet is better than a T-shirt to give your shoulders and arms the greatest range of movement, and bike pants, or shorts or pants with stretch, are preferable to board shorts.

To make sure you get the most out of your first yoga class, we suggest you arrive 10-15 minutes before the class starts. When you arrive, come and say hello to the teacher, and let them know if you have any injuries or pre-existing medical conditions such as epilepsy, hypertension, low blood pressure, heart issues or diabetes. (It’s important to always let your teachers know this at the start of every class.)

After you have signed in, turn off your mobile phone, put your belongings away and set up your equipment (mat, blanket, bolster) you will need for the class.

The teacher will advise you where to set up so that you can have the best view of what the teacher is doing. They are most likely to position your mat towards the middle of the room so you are near the teacher and other students who are more familiar with the Yoga Synergy method. That way, you can better see what’s going on and will have people around you for prompts, if you’re not sure about a pose. Also, if you position your mat at the end of a row, you will find yourself leading the class at times during the sequence. If you can’t find a spot your teacher will make one for you.

Before class begins you can either lie down in supta baddha konasana (on your back with your feet together and your knees out to the side) or simply cross your legs and stretch forward. (Or have a chat with your fellow yogis!)

Remember, try not to eat two hours before class. It’s also a good idea not to drink while you do yoga as it can make you feel nauseous. Make sure you come to class well hydrated, but don’t drink excessive amounts of water before class either.

While you practice, always remember to work within your limits and rest whenever you need. If you need to rest or feel very hot, put yourself in balasana or child’s pose, which is a simple forward bend with your knees tucked up to your chest and your arms either stretched out before you or by your side. It’s important to always respect your body while you practice.

We don’t usually allow students to leave class early – circumstances have to be exceptional. (See ‘Is it okay to leave class early?’ below.)

We encourage all students to stay until the class is finished, so you can experience the full effects of your yoga practice. Savasana (the relaxation pose at the end of the class) is as important as any of the other poses in the class.

However, if it is imperative you leave a class a few minutes early, please let the teacher know at the start of the class (as you log in). They will advise you of a good time to leave that is least disruptive to the class and most safe for you to end your practice.

You may at first feel a bit overwhelmed, which is a common response whenever we try anything new. With yoga, it may take a little while to get used to the pace of the class and the teacher’s instructions as you try to move your body through the different poses. Be patient with yourself and remember to have fun – there’s no need to take things too seriously! It’s great you made it to your first class. Give yourself a pat on the back!

After your first class, you may feel sore, even exhausted, if you have worked too hard. The best remedy for this is to come back as soon as possible (the next day if you can). If you leave it too long, you may not come back at all. It’s better to get back on the bike, so to speak, and choose to be a bit easier on yourself in the next class. (See ‘Will I feel sore after class?’ below.) If, on the other hand, you don’t feel anything at all, you will know that you can do a bit more in the next class.

Like anything, the more you practice the easier it gets.

You might, and it’s helpful to recognise the difference between ‘good’ sore and ‘bad’ sore. If you feel sore a couple of days after a class, this is most likely ‘good’ sore, a sign your strength and flexibility has improved and your body has embraced the full range of movement of which it is capable.

We recommend you do another class as soon as possible after your first class (the next day if you can), as you will have less muscle soreness than if you wait a few days. Funnily enough, another class soon after your first class is also the best way to relieve this ‘good’ kind of soreness.

If you feel sore immediately after a class, then it’s more likely to be ‘bad’ sore, and a good indication that you have overdone it. Please talk to your teacher as soon as the class is over, so they can advise you on what to do.

The Yoga Synergy method has been designed so beginners can be gently introduced to yoga. We strongly advise beginners, particularly if you have never had a strong exercise practice, to do the simpler versions of the postures and listen to the advice of the teacher – we really don’t want you to injure yourself.

At Yoga Synergy, we have designed the sequences so there is a very low risk of injury – if injury does happen it is usually the result of an overzealous student not listening to their body or the teacher.

It’s for this reason that we stress the importance of always advising your teacher of any existing injuries (or conditions) BEFORE you start a class. Teachers can then advise you on how to work with the injury in order not to exacerbate it.

Synergy Vinyasa Method is a unique style of yoga developed over 30 years by experienced yoga practitioners and physiotherapistsBianca Machliss and Simon Borg-Olivier . The style is a combination of a deep knowledge of anatomy and physiology, modern medical science and traditional hatha yoga. The aim of hatha yoga is to balance mind and body through poses, purification exercises, breath and meditation. The style of hatha yoga taught at Yoga Synergy is derived from the work of Professor T. Krishnamacharya. Sri Krishnamacharya was the teacher of three influential yoga masters: Sri B.K.S. Iyengar (author of Light on Yoga); Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (who teaches Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga); and Sri T.K.V. Desikachar (author of The Heart of Yoga).

The dynamic Yoga Synergy sequences have been specially designed to suit the time of year, the level at which the group is at, and the individual needs of each body, to ensure the practice is safe. It is taught progressively over a nine-week period.

The sequences include static postures (asanas) and dynamic exercises of movement with breath (vinyasa), to form a complete practice that includes standing poses, balances, forward bends, back bends, spinal twists, gentle inversions and deep relaxation (savasana). Breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana) are also included.

Each class will usually include demonstrations by the teacher, to illustrate the verbal instructions, and individual adjustments by the teacher or assistants, to help clarify the verbal instructions.

The Yoga Synergy method is designed to suit every body, regardless of age, flexibility or fitness level. (See ‘About Yoga Synergy’ and ‘Yoga Synergy Sequences’ for more information about our style.) [LINK]

In the first few classes you attend, the teacher will observe how you respond to the instructions and keep an eye on you. If you are doing anything really dangerous, they will come and correct you.

As we become more familiar with your body and how you respond to instructions, we will begin to gently adjust postural alignment, to help you understand what the verbal instructions mean and where to position your body.

If you do not wish to be corrected or touched, simply let the teacher know before your class. This is particularly important if you have any injuries or conditions that would make it inappropriate for a teacher to adjust you.

Learning yoga is like learning a new language – don’t expect to master it all at once! If you learn or understand one new thing per class, that’s fantastic. Before you know it, you will be flowing through the practice with ease and grace.

Our teachers will do their best to ensure you practise safely and feel comfortable.

Depending on what kind of injury and how acute/chronic it is, yoga is usually okay to do. Ask yourself these questions:

• Can I get up and down off the floor?
• Can I sit comfortably on the floor?
• Can I lie on my tummy or back without pain?
• Can I bear weight on my arms (knees on the floor is fine)?
• Can I squat?
• Can I touch the floor from a standing position (with your knees bent is fine)?
• Can I walk up the stairs to get to the yoga studio?

If you answered yes to these questions, you should be fine to attend any of our YS-Vinyasa, YS-Yin, Q-Flow or Pilates classes. However, please discuss your condition with the teacher when you arrive, prior to the commencement of class, and if you are unsure about your injury and would like to discuss it further, please call Bianca on 0417441646

Of course! Yoga is for every body. We have lots of modifications, and easy versions of the poses, to make it gentle for beginners. One of the great benefits of yoga is that regular practice can increase flexibility.

However, yoga is not just about flexibility. Physically, it’s a combination of flexibility, strength and cardiovascular fitness. Mentally and emotionally, it’s about focus and present-moment awareness. Some of the greatest yogis can’t even do the fancy poses.

It is fine to come to class when you are menstruating. However, we encourage you to take a more gentle approach to your practice during this time, especially in the first three days. You should avoid strong tummy work, lifts and inversions. If you have any concerns, please discuss it with your teacher.

Vinyasa (Level 1) classes are 60 minutes, Dynamic (Level 2) classes are 75 minutes.

Pack up all your equipment neatly as you found it, ready for other students to use, drink some water and perhaps have a chat with your fellow students. You can also let the teacher know how you found the class, especially if you don’t feel right as a result of anything that you did in the class. Please leave quietly, in respect to our neighbours.

After class is not the time to do extra stretches or play around. Your practice is complete and it’s good to feel the effect of it. Also, your body will be relaxed and mobile; if you start to play around, you may injure yourself.

If you want to see real change then, like anything, you need to commit to a regular practice. We recommend a minimum of two to three times per week. The more committed students practice four to five times per week.

For first timers, to give you the best opportunity to really learn what yoga is about and understand the Yoga Synergy method, we recommend you commit to a 9 week program at least once per week.

Class numbers vary from class to class but are between 10 – 30 usually. Limited according to regulations at present time.

Yes, children 12 years or over may attend classes with a parent or guardian. If you are 16 years or over, you are welcome to attend without a parent or guardian.

Yoga Synergy Newtown is located at 196 Australia St, Newtown, in the school hall of the Australia Street Infants School. It is just up the road from Newtown Fire Station, Newtown Police Station and the Courthouse Hotel, five minutes walk from Newtown train station. Newtown is where we started – it’s the roots of Yoga Synergy. It is very dear to our hearts and has a fantastic vibe.

Check out the Newtown Timetable. See Locations for maps and directions.

At our Newtown studio, you can park on Australia St or the surrounding streets. Parking is free but there are time restrictions.

Note: Please allow yourself enough time to get to class if it’s your first time to Yoga Synergy, and be aware of parking inspectors – they are vigilant!

Yoga Synergy classes are taught by Bianca at Elixr Health club on the following days:

• Monday 5.30pm
• Tuesday 9.30am
• Thursday 9.30am
• Friday 6.30am

Yoga Synergy classes are taught by Bianca at My Asana in Vaucluse on the following days:

• Wednesday 7am
• Friday 10.30am

All the information you need to start your yoga practice with Yoga Synergy can be found on this website. Here are a few links to information that might help. If you can’t find what you are looking for, then please email or phone Bianca on0417441646 for more information.

About Yoga Synergy
About our teachers