The $10 Yoga Classes Changing Lives on the Beaches

At 7am every Saturday, something special is happening at Flying Fox Park in Mona Vale.

Yoga mats dot the shoreline as locals gather for more than just their morning stretch – they’re part of a movement that’s turning personal pain into collective support. For just $10 a class, primary school teacher and yoga instructor Katy Bennett is weaving together wellness, philanthropy, and healing, with all proceeds supporting women fleeing family and domestic violence.

We spoke to Katy about her mission to create change on the Beaches, one vinyasa at a time. Here’s our interview…

What drew you to blend philanthropy with yoga teaching?

Katy: Last year, I took time to reflect on my life goals and values, and decided I wanted to stay healthy, meet new locals, bring community together and give back. I also wanted to return to teaching adult yoga after stepping away to focus on raising my daughter and returning to a career in primary school teaching. So, my idea, Yoga by the Bay, was born. A weekly class designed to promote health, bring people together, and support a meaningful cause.

And why did you choose to support the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter?

I researched several local organisations and the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter resonated with me. Their vital work in supporting women affected by family and domestic violence often goes unspoken due to the privacy and sensitivity surrounding the issue.

Having experienced psychological abuse in a past relationship, I am deeply aware of the importance of accessible mental health support—I benefitted greatly from such services during my own journey of healing. This alignment of personal experience, community impact, and the power of yoga inspired me to bring Yoga by the Bay to life.

What challenges and rewards have you encountered teaching in nature, and has it changed your teaching philosophy?

The inspiration to teach yoga by the bay came from my time practising community yoga on the headland overlooking the ocean at Killalea, near Wollongong. Those experiences were transformative, and I wanted to recreate that connection to nature in my own teaching. Immersing myself in the natural environment has always had a profound impact on my energy and mental wellbeing, and I hope to inspire my students to experience the same.

In every class, I encourage yogis to pause and appreciate the beauty around them—the water, trees, flowers, birdsong, even the bark of a dog or the feel of fresh air. It’s such a beautiful, nourishing way to start the weekend!
Of course, teaching outdoors comes with its challenges. In one of my early classes, the heavens opened, and we had to take cover under a large tree. While it provided a decent natural umbrella, the steady dripping tested everyone’s comfort by the end! Thankfully, I’ve since partnered with Surfboat Brewery and Café, where the kind owner, Terri Revell, generously offered their fabulous upstairs space as a backup for wet weather days. It was a serendipitous moment—she overheard me asking to leave some yoga leaflets in the café and immediately stepped in to help.
The Northern Beaches Council have also shown their support, waiving the fee for me to use the land. This experience has shaped my teaching philosophy in unexpected ways – yoga outdoors encourages adaptability and mindfulness, and the partnership with Surfboat Brewery has reminded me of the importance of community support.

Your classes are making yoga accessible at $10 while supporting a vital community cause – what’s your vision for growing this initiative?

Making yoga accessible to everyone is a key goal of Yoga by the Bay, which is why I’ve kept classes at an affordable $10. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see students rediscover their love for yoga or try it for the first time. One participant shared this feedback:  “Thank you, Katy. I loved it! I’ve never been a big fan of yoga—more of a Pilates person—but you’ve converted me! Practicing outdoors in such beautiful surroundings was grounding and set me up for the day. Can’t wait for next week, rain, hail, or shine!”