Movement for everybody.
You deserve to feel your best.
Move with Nicole
Hi! :) I'm 25 years old and live in Sydney, Australia. I was born in Hong Kong but have spent most of my life in Australia.
How It All Started
As a child, I was always full of energy. My parents would often tell me to stop bouncing around! I loved jumping, swinging off trees, and flipping upside down. When I was six, my next-door neighbor introduced me to gymnastics, and that’s where my passion began.
I dedicated many years to gymnastics, competing seriously until my teenage years, when I decided to explore other interests.
From Gymnastics to Dance
After leaving gymnastics, I quickly fell in love with dance. I trained in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, flamenco—basically every style I could find! Dance became my new obsession. I spent the last few years competing in Latin American dance, but I recently transitioned to teaching both adults and children, which I truly enjoy.
Discovering Yoga
My mum took me to my first yoga class when I was a kid. It reminded me of gymnastics, so I loved it! However, I didn’t start practicing regularly until high school, using yoga as an additional form of exercise alongside dance.
When Yoga Became Serious
Last year, I set a goal to practice yoga twice a week to maintain my flexibility. At the time, I was training intensively in competitive Latin dance—2 to 4 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Though my initial goal was two yoga sessions per week, I quickly found myself practicing every day. It became part of my daily routine. Yoga started to mean more to me than just exercise—it was a personal, non-competitive space. It became a spiritual journey.
Biggest Challenges
I'm naturally competitive, especially in physical activities. In yoga classes, I often push myself to match or exceed the instructor’s flexibility. Because of this, I prefer practicing at home, where I can focus on the internal and spiritual aspects rather than competition.
I’ve learned to be patient with myself, trusting that consistent practice will bring progress in time.
Handling Pressure
The beauty of yoga is that it removes external pressure. While I sometimes push myself to practice daily, I’ve learned to listen to my body. Some days, rest is just as important—Netflix time included! :)
Overcoming Self-Consciousness
Initially, I felt self-conscious about sharing yoga photos on Instagram, but the yoga community has been incredibly supportive and uplifting.
Embarrassing Yoga Moments
Embarrassing moments happen all the time! I often get stuck in new poses, ending up in awkward, unflattering positions—definitely laugh-worthy!
How Yoga Influenced My Life
Yoga has helped me let go of excessive competitiveness and unrealistic expectations. It has also given me body confidence. Unlike dance, where there is pressure to maintain an 'ideal' body, yoga is free from that stress, which I love. <3
Daily Routine
I always start my morning with breakfast—it’s a must! Then, I practice yoga for about an hour. Though I know I should practice on an empty stomach, I can’t because I wake up starving! :)
After yoga, I move on with my work or studies.
Flexibility Training
I incorporate flexibility training into my yoga practice and try to fit extra stretching sessions in while studying or watching TV.
What Keeps Me Motivated?
Yoga’s positive effects keep me motivated—you can truly feel the difference when you skip a session. To avoid burnout, I take a rest day each week so yoga remains enjoyable rather than feeling like an obligation.
Future Goals
I hope to become a yoga teacher one day. For now, I’m enjoying being a student and continuing to learn and grow in my practice.
Advice for Beginners
Enjoy the journey! Don’t overthink it or compare yourself to others. Focus on what makes you happy and what feels good in your practice. :)
