our story
Born out of the desire to remove the stigma that flexibility is a requirement of yoga, Bend: yoga and wellbeing established their wellness workouts in 2022.
The first mobile studio in the region, solely dedicated to bring wellness workouts right to your doorstep, making it accessible for everyone. All equipment required for a class is provided and set up for you, making your practice light and free. Simply step out of the office, the classroom, the clubrooms or wherever it may be, and arrive on your mat.
the bend experience
Our vision is to provide friendly and welcoming mobile wellness workouts, that are effortless and accessible, to the Ōtepoti community. We encourage a relaxed experience and are passionate about sparking confidence, movement and connection through our wellness workouts. It is our mission to support and celebrate the diversity within our community by encouraging you to bend your own way.
Our classes welcome students of all levels, from the beginner to the advanced practitioner. We believe that our wellness workouts can benefit every single person, no matter your age, shape or gender. More than just a physical practice, our classes offer a journey of mindful movement and connection, as we cultivate a calmness which contrasts that of the fast-paced world we live in.
about the founder
Hi I’m Kristi – founder of Bend and mother to two little gems.
Born and educated in Dunedin, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree in my early years. It was not until I moved abroad that my eyes were opened to the limitless opportunities we all have in this world. The dollar signs of the mining industry drew me over to Western Australia for a few years before settling in Sydney. By chance, I moved in with a great group of people, (one of them so great he turned out to be my future husband!), landed an awesome job and was feeling on top of the world. But, it wasn’t long before the fast-paced Sydney city life got the better of me. I was becoming increasingly anxious and stressed out. This is when I turned to Yoga. Fortunately for me, yoga was popular in Sydney and the choices of studios, instructors and classes were endless! Each yoga class provided an escape from the chaos; a calm space to stop and clear my mind. I would leave feeling rejuvenated and able to face the world with a different perspective. So, to me, yoga is much more than a physical practice and this is what I want to share with you all.
Since relocating to my home town of Dunedin, I have found yoga to be a lot less common. When I mention yoga, I am often met with an eye roll followed by something along the lines of… “I could never do that, I am not flexible enough”. Well, I am here to change that mindset with my mobile wellness workout studio. Wellness workouts are not about doing yoga, nor is being flexible a requirement. They are about finding yourself… switching off from everyday life and slowing down. They are about letting go of what has been burdening you, letting go of your worries and stresses. With an increasing amount of focus on the health and well-being of our workplaces, students, teachers and athletes, there is no better time to get in touch and try something new.
What have you got to lose?