Twenty five locals lunged at the chance to participate in a free Sunday morning Yoga class alongside the Mata-Au (Clutha river) on January 15.

The 30 minute long ‘Yoga by the river’ sessions are run by Shelley Charlton, who has more than 20 years experience teaching yoga.

Shelley said she wants to bring yoga to everyone to improve health, stress levels and for general relaxation and enjoyment. 

She previously taught free outdoor yoga at various beaches in the North Island after retiring from the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2011. 

“When I left the air force, initially I wanted to be an actor… but I started off the free yoga for me to have a sense of purpose, so it started off for my benefit really,” she said.

Shelley said seeing how yoga improved the community, helped people to get to know each other and feel better in themselves was very rewarding. 

Before her move to Alexandra she was teaching three mornings a week in Whangaparāoa, north of Auckland.

A two week trip to Queenstown and Wānaka for the park run has morphed into a new career and a new home town for Shelley.

She was stuck in the South Island, as her ferry was cancelled when New Zealand’s first Covid-19 lockdown struck (in March 2020) and then she got involved with the Alexandra Musical Society.

“[A friend] said stay and do a show in the South Island and then go back.

“I never thought I could live away from the beach [at first],” Shelley said.

The good vibe in Alexandra along with a love for the Clutha river caused her to stay, and so Yoga on the beach has become Yoga by the river. 

Her classes are pitched at a beginners level, with options for advanced poses for flexible people and easy modifications suggested if you are less bendy.

Shelley Charlton became a qualified yoga teacher in 2006

People of all ages are welcome, as are relaxed dogs (14 year old Labrador Lachie attended and scoped out some pats during the class the writer attended).

You can find the group on the grass to the right of the River Track car park down Poplar Grove (off Earnscleugh Road).

The classes run every Sunday until February 26 from 8.00 - 8.30am. No mat is required, you’ll need comfortable clothing, and a water bottle. 

Shelley has a you tube channel with free short videos of her other outdoor classes, filmed in NZ and in other countries such as Hawaii, Scotland and the United States. Her channel also shows her patented YogaBounce style of practice.

YogaBounce combines cardio exercise on a mini trampoline with yoga balances and stretches.

When she’s not teaching free yoga she works in horticulture in Central for Plant and Food Research. 

She’s also published a book in 2017 called Mindful Eating: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too which is available on Amazon. 

Cover of Shelley’s book