14 Places To Chill The Fuck Out In Sydney
Breathe in, breathe out.
1. Sky-Lab, Surry Hills
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If you're a practicing yogi but feel like experimenting with something new, aerial yoga could be your new favourite thing. If you're new to the game, don't worry, because there's a great beginner's class that will help you feel comfortable. The ten-week introduction course will cost you $250.
2. Centred Meditation, Sydney CBD
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If you work in the CBD you need to know about this new drop-in meditation centre. At $16 per session, you can easily head to Centred Meditation around lunch for a 30 minute guided class whenever you're dealing with a particularly stressful week. If you decide to make it part of your daily routine, unlimited monthly memberships are available for $108.
3. Happy Buddha Retreats, Killcare
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This two night retreat on the Central Coast will cost you $299 including all meals. The inner joy retreat involves yoga, meditation by the sea, and energising drumming circles, to ensure you leave feeling calm and ~centered~.
4. Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley
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This Buddhist temple close to Wollongong hosts one day retreats for $50. This price includes lunch and seven hours of meditation and relaxation practice. If you want to commit an entire weekend, book yourself into a two day meditation retreat for an extra cost.
5. SpaQ, Sydney CBD
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One of Sydney's most popular spas was smart enough to include a specialised "relax massage" on their treatment list. With a blend of calming essential oils, this is definitely one of the most glamorous ways to force yourself to chill out.
6. Bondi Junction Massage and Float Centre, Bondi Junction
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Perfect for those who aren't claustrophobic but are into meditation. Sensory deprivation float tanks are - as they sound - dark, quiet tanks filled with water. Commonly referred to as a kind of forced meditation, once you get over the weirdness of the whole thing, the tank can feel a little like a relaxing, silent Epsom salt bath. An hour of floating will cost you $45.
7. Hom Yoga, Darlinghurst
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If you like to sweat when you work out, but also need a good stretch, these classes held in 40 degree heat are for you. Start with the slower Hot Hatha class before moving into a Flow. If you want to try it out before you commit to a membership, take up the introductory offer of one week unlimited classes for $35.
8. Billabong Retreat, Blue Mountains
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Just 45 minutes out of Sydney, this retreat will cost you $200 per night. With treehouse cabins, drawing workshops, breathing meditation, a spa, and yoga classes, you'll find it almost impossible to stay stressed here.
9. Chinese Garden Of Friendship, Darling Harbour
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A relaxing oasis in the middle of the city. Entry to the garden is $6 per visit, or you can fork out $50 for an annual pass. Once inside enjoy the lake, waterfalls, and treehouse, which serves tea and dim sum.
10. Saltuary, Five Dock
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Saltuary offer floats and yoga, but the standout from their treatment list is time in their hand-built Himalayan salt room. One session will cost you $50, or you can opt for four sessions for $99.
11. Mind Heart Body Centre, Artarmon
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If you've been telling yourself that you need to learn to meditate for months now, the meditation course at Mind Heart Body could be just the push you need. The course takes place over four weeks and costs $80.
12. Govindas, Darlinghurst
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Beyond their amazing vegetarian menu and insanely comfy movie theatre, Govindas also run weekly guided meditation classes, and a monthly class specifically for women, which costs $20 including a light dinner.
13. Mahasiddha Kadampa Meditation Centre, Surry Hills
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The meditation day courses at this centre each have a different focus. The $65 classes can teach you about forgiveness, attachment, or even how to learn to live in the moment.
14. Waverly-Woollahra Art School, Woollahra
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Beyond painting and sculpture classes that will definitely calm your mind, this art school also runs $60 art therapy courses for those struggling with depression and anxiety.