The Open Mind Space is for the student, the teacher, the soul searcher.
A place to connect with a conscious community and grow into your full potential.
We offer yoga, meditation, movement classes, events and personal healing. Our intention for The O.M. Space is to approach self-development, wellness and spirituality with an open mind, making its tools and concepts, simple, approachable and accessible to all.
We could say the sky is the limit… but it’s really not. Together, let’s look to the edges of the Universe and beyond.
Our teachers and practitioners are all on their own journey of growth, and are here to hold space and welcome you to explore inner and outer worlds.
Click through the links below to meet our people, view the timetable, and read more about how The Open Mind Space came to be.
Our Manifesto
No matter your age, gender, income, world view, beliefs, what you wear, who you love, where you live, why you’ve come… The Open Mind Space is here for you. Whether you’re not quite sure about the whole ‘woo-woo’ side of things, or you wholeheartedly accept the existence of unicorns and dragons (they are both totes real), you are welcome here. Let’s experience, share, connect, learn and grow together.
Our wish for the Open Mind Space:
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To create a safe environment that is free from judgement, welcoming everyone (or everything!)
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To support each other through learning, teaching and sharing
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To understand that everyone is equal, and each human adds value to the space
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To create a shift in the wider community, by uplifting the individual
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To support the growth of conscious community, in Newcastle and beyond.
Our teachers are passionate about sharing and learning.
They bring their own unique life experiences to their teachings and are here to ensure you have a safe and supportive environment for your open-minded explorations.
Murray Smith
Teacher/Co-founder
Coming from a background in construction with a passion for surfing, Murray totally understands the need to maintain a healthy body. On a deeper level and through his own life experiences, he also knows how important it is to maintain mental wellness.
Murray is extremely passionate about men’s mental wellness, connecting people to nature, aiding people in rediscovering their true selves, and cultivating a safe environment in which people can continue to build a healthy relationship with their mind, body, and spirit. He builds smart programs and classes tailored to achieve long-term benefits.
Murray offers one-on-one sessions and healing Thai Yoga Massage. Find out more about his sessions here.
You can find Murray teaching the following weekly classes:
Tuesday - 6am - Open Heated
Tuesday - 10am - Flow & Release
Wednesday - 5.30pm Open Heated
Thursday - 6am - Open Heated
Thursday - 10am - Flow & Release
Saturday 10.30am - Gentle Flow
Sunday - 7am - Progressive
Sunday - 8.30am - Open
Bookings are essential - click here.
Renée Wilkinson
Teacher/Co-founder
Renée has been working in areas of complementary therapy and healing for more than ten years. In 2014, yoga became Renée’s go-to moving through PTSD. It helped her re-connect her mind and body, and she is now honoured to share and create a similar experience for you.
Renée combines her yoga studies with her intuition and insights to deliver classes that go beyond the purely physical experience.
Renée is also a Kinesiologist and Energy Healer, offering sessions in our upstairs treatment rooms. Find out more about her Kinesiology practice here.
You can find Renée teaching the following weekly classes:
Monday - 4pm - Yin
Tuesday - 5.30pm - Open
Tuesday - 7pm - Yin
Thursday - 7pm - Yin & Meditation
Friday - 6pm - Yin & Meditation
Saturday - 8.30am - Flow & Release
Bookings are essential - click here.
Our People
Cat Mead
Yoga Teacher & Studio Manager
Cat began teaching yoga in 2015 at a time when she was looking for change and a deeper experience with life. Since her first real introduction to yoga in 2013, she has spent much time testing and trying different styles of yoga, and has since found that her love and strength is in the simplicity of it. But you still might find her at a hot, sweaty heated class too.
Yin Yoga is Cat's favourite, to both practice and teach, and after a few years of finding her feet with her teaching style, she has decided to focus on yin while still getting creative with flow.
Cat's other strengths lie in her ability to organise, be creative, make music and support people in their growth. In her role as studio manager she gets to do all of this and call it 'work'. Check out her yin and creative stuff.
You can find Cat teaching the following weekly classes:
Tuesday - 4pm - Yin
Friday - 10am - Flow & Release
Sunday - 4pm - Yin
Sunday - 5.30pm - Yin
Bookings are essential - click here.
Stella Umeh
Yoga Teacher
Stella has been a committed yoga practitioner for more than 15 years and loves to share her love for the practice teaching classes & workshops all over the world to anyone who has a thirst to live a life of breath and elevated fluidity.
As the most prolific gymnast in Canadian history, Stella championed the stage with several stints at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and a trip to Barcelona, Spain for the 1992 Olympic Games. Stella wrapped up her International career with an all-time honoured college career and UCLA as a ten time All-American and NCAA Champion leading her to her 2012 UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame induction.
Stella recently wrapped up a 13-year love affair with Cirque Du Soleil where she became the only female artist to master virtually every single female role in the touring show Varekai. Taking her from being a key participant in the creation of the show to mastering the role as the lead female clown understudy. Stella's knowledge was not limited to on-stage performance. She held the positions of choreography assistant and artist integration supervisor.
Stella is truly a consummate “Jack of all Trades,” and it is precisely this label that prompted her to start her own company and wellness brand: The Ivory Elephant Group.
You can find Stella teaching the following weekly classes:
Monday - 10am - Flow & Release
Wednesday - 10am - Flow & Release
Thursday - 5.30pm - Open
Bookings are essential - click here.
Jacqui Black
Yoga Teacher
Jacqui comes from an extensive and classically trained dance background and as a result has a strong awareness of body conditioning and expressive movement.
Jacqui’s yoga journey commenced in 2009 when she first discovered Bikram yoga and the benefits of Asana. After some time living abroad, Jacqui returned to Australia on a deeper quest of self healing and yoga therapy. This is where she did her initial teacher training and devoted her life to giving and sharing the practice of yoga.
She has a love for mindful movement and deep relaxing yin practices, however her passion for teaching is in dynamic power flows where she draws inspiration from dance, martial arts and many styles of yoga. She has spent the past twelve months travelling the world experiencing, training and practicing yoga within a variety of cultures.
Now she brings an attitude of self discovery, challenge, fun and consciousness to her classes.
You can find Jacqui teaching the following weekly classes:
Monday - 6am - Open
Monday - 5.30pm - Open Heated
Wednesday - 6am - Open
Wednesday - 7pm - Yin
Friday - 6am - Open
Saturday - 7am - Open
Bookings are essential - click here.