an update for our St Marys studio

I want to share something important with you, openly and as clearly as possible, because our community deserves transparency and care, whether you practise at St Marys, Penrith, or both, in the past, currently, or plan to in the future.

Last Monday, I received an email from our landlord notifying me that the St Marys studio rent will be increasing by 72% at the start of 2026. The size of the increase and the pace of the timeline forced us to conduct a rapid, honest financial assessment of what continuing to run two studios would mean for Nin's future.

After days of reviewing the numbers, seeking professional advice, and looking closely at what’s sustainable for our teachers, our members, our future students, and the business as a whole, I’ve made one of the hardest decisions since starting this journey:

I have decided to close our St Marys studio and consolidate everything into Penrith at the end of this month.

I am also sending this to our entire community so everyone stays fully informed and we move through this transition together as one.

Why This Decision Has Been Made

St Marys was our very first studio.

I opened it on the 20th of September 2017, before Penrith (and Blacktown/Mt Druitt/Maya Movement & Castle Hill), before Kaya Academy, before aerial, before reformer, before retreats, and before having babies.

And for me, it was more than a studio.
I grew up in St Marys and I still live here now.
There was something significant for me about having a yoga studio in the place that raised me. It was where our little community began.

Letting go of this space is heartbreaking.

But the truth is this:

We have been running an exceptionally tight and slightly (financially) sinking ship for over a year.
With a 72% rent increase hitting at the start of 2026, and looking at our growth rate and figures carefully, staying at St Marys would eventually mean dissolving the entire business.

Consolidation allows us to:

- protect jobs

- support our teachers

- strengthen our training programs

- avoid dissolving the business entirely

- stabilise financially

- pay off our ATO debt much quicker

- reduce burnout for the team

- build long-term sustainability

This is NOT goodbye, it’s a regrouping so we can keep moving forward from a place of strength, not strain.

What Happens Next?

Penrith becomes our home base from January 2nd, 2026.

Several St Marys classes are being shifted into the Penrith timetable, so your favourite teachers and styles continue.

The full updated timetable will be sent out soon, in the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, St Mary's classes will run as normal until Sunday, 21st December.

Nothing changes until then.

A Letting Go Party to honour St Marys

Sunday 21st December – from 7 pm - 9 pm
Potluck gathering, shared stories, hugs, and a moment to honour everything this space has held over the years.

Full Studio Pack-Down: December 22nd & 23rd

You’re welcome to drop in and help on any of these days with packing down our truss or painting. No pressure, just community. Sometimes closing a space together is part of healing it together. 

Aerial & Lyra Pause (for now)

Aerial Yoga and Lyra will pause during consolidation.
We know many of you love these classes. We’re still figuring out the rigging situation and feasibility for the future.

In the meantime, if you’re keen to continue training aerial after December, we can recommend a few fantastic circus schools.

And don’t worry — this email list will be the first to know if and when we relaunch aerial offerings.

Oh, and we are putting on a Thursday night “Hoop Dance” class in Penrith for those still keen for a circus fix (because what's a Nin Yoga without some novelty?)

This is not goodbye… South Penrith ain't that far!

From the St Marys studio, the Jamisontown Studio is just:

- 14 minutes by car

- 29 minutes by bike

- 2 hours and 8 minutes by your two wonderful feet

Same teachers.
Same heart.
Same community.

And we will absolutely keep running lots of community events.
And yes, we will keep inviting you too, because that’s who we are, and we don’t know how to do it any other way.

Could Nin return to St Marys in the future?

It's very possible, but not any time soon.

If the financial conditions change and the numbers support it, we would love to.

But right now we need to regroup, huddle, protect what we have and move forward with stability.

Consolidation gives us the ground we need.

If You’ve Been Thinking of Joining, Now Is a Wonderful Time

If you (or someone you know) has been thinking about doing classes at Nin Yoga.

Now is an exceptionally wonderful time to start.

It supports the studio, it strengthens the community, and it helps us move into this next chapter with some good vibes and momentum.

FAQ for the direct community:

Q: What happens to my membership?

Everything continues as normal at Penrith. Your access and pricing stay the same.

Q: I prepaid for my membership. Can I get a refund?

Yes. We will honour prorated refunds for any remaining time if Penrith isn’t workable for you.

Q: Will my favourite teachers still be teaching?

Many St Marys teachers are continuing at Penrith.
However, not every teacher is able to commit to the new location right now — simply due to logistics and capacity.
This isn’t a forever decision. It’s a “stability first” decision while we move quickly and give members and teachers certainty.

Q: What will the Penrith timetable look like?

The Penrith timetable will stay as close to the original as possible, with some add ons as we integrate key St Marys classes and bring more teachers in.
A full updated timetable will be released mid-December the latest.

Q: What’s happening with Aerial Yoga and Lyra?

Both will pause for now.
If you’d like to continue aerial in the meantime, we can recommend some wonderful local circus schools.
This list will be the first to know if Aerial returns.

Q: What if Penrith is too far for me?

Just reply to this email. We’ll support you personally with options.

Q: I’m a Penrith-only member. Does anything change for me?

Nope. Penrith is staying as it is — just with more energy, more classes, more teachers, and more familiar faces from St Marys joining the family.

Q: Is Nin Yoga going to be okay?

Yes.
This decision is exactly what ensures Nin stays strong, protects as many jobs as possible, prevents dissolving the business, and gives us the foundation to keep growing long-term.

Q: Could you reopen in St Marys one day?

Possibly, yes.
Not right now — but the door is not closed forever.

Final Words

Thank you for everything St Marys has meant to our community.
It changed my life, and I know it changed many of yours.

This isn’t the end.
It’s the next chapter — one built on stability, clarity, sustainability, and community strength.

If you want to talk, share memories, process, cry, laugh, or ask questions — just reply.
I’m here.

See you soon,

With soooooo so much love,
Annika & the Nin Yoga Team xx