When Sally Woods moved to Queenstown from the UK in 2005 she only planned to stay for a year.

Eighteen years later she is the driver for Fierce Grace Queenstown, a UK based hot yoga franchise and the first to open in the Southern Hemisphere.

“I discovered Fierce Grace yoga in 2018 after attending a class in my hometown, Bournemouth, and absolutely loved it. I then met the founder Michele Pernetta who is one of Europe’s premier yoga teachers and decided to bring the concept to New Zealand.”

The business got off to a shaky start with Covid-19 forcing the closure of Sally’s brand new studio just two months after opening in 2019. But a silver lining appeared when Remarkables Park offered her a new location 12 months later.

“We have just celebrated the three-year anniversary in our beautiful  studio that is perfectly located with plenty of free parking outside. I have a group of excellent teachers and am so lucky because teaching yoga doesn’t feel like a job, it’s really my happy place.”

Fierce Grace is open seven days offering up to 23 classes a week and Sally says the benefits of hot yoga are well suited to Queenstown’s environment.

“Hot yoga makes it easier to stretch as the body warms up quickly detoxing from the inside out. You sweat a lot so it feels like a real workout and gives that endorphin buzz.”

“We are very much a non-judgemental studio and our clients come knowing that. They don’t have to worry how they look or about having the right clothes – we have a real community vibe where everyone feels accepted which I am proud of.”

There are a variety of membership options available including ten day, six or 12-month unlimited passes. Visitors are also welcome.

“Our 6.30am classes kick off the day, the 9.30am class fits in with school drop-off, the lunchtime class is great for workers and the 5.30pm class is always bustling. We’ve also added a 7.00pm class for late-night sessions.”

“We have all ages attending with lots of men and women who are 30+, “says Sally. “They all enjoy a laugh in class, a catch up afterwards and they definitely leave feeling recharged.”