Queensland couple who ran hot yoga studios sued after allegedly failing to pay lawyers

A couple who created a hot yoga empire are being sued by their lawyers after they allegedly failed to pay more than $86,000 in legal fees.

Michael, 36, and Suzanna Calava, 35, started the Peak Physique Hot Yoga Franchise Group in late 2011.

Their business quickly grew and by 2020 the couple had set up 15 franchises around Australia and the couple signed a contract for legal services with SLF Lawyers in November, 2020.

In a claim submitted in the Brisbane District Court last Thursday, SLF said they sent the yoga company an invoice for $89,055 for legal advice, the Courier Mail reported.

But the legal firm alleges the company breached the agreement after they failed to cough up the money within two weeks. 

The couple say they are passionate about health and wellbeing

Instead Peak Physique allegedly paid $2,675 of the total amount owed between April and December, 2021.

The agreement also allowed SLF to register caveats over properties owned by the couple in Noosa Heads and Brisbane, with the law firm claiming they have an ‘equitable share’ in the homes as ‘security’ for the money owed.

The Calavas began their business back in 2011 and had franchises around Queensland and South Australia.

Daily Mail Australia understands the couple are no longer associated with Peak Physique and haven’t been since 2021.

The pair allegedly failed to pay their lawyers $86,000 in legal fees

The couple had signed a contract for legal services with SLF Lawyers in November, 2020 but the law firm have since taken legal action against them

Instead they sold the franchised studios and founded a similar venture called Peak Group Global in 2020 which offers yoga training and classes online.

On their website both Mr and Mrs Calava detailed their journey into yoga and fitness.

Mr Calava had earlier worked as a dental therapist but when his career began he suffered a motorbike accident and nearly had to have his foot amputated.

He was in hospital for four weeks but began to focus on health, wellbeing and yoga as a major part of his recovery.

‘Besides yoga and health, Michael has a real passion for business ventures and his vision of a family suite of services that delivers fitness, health and wellbeing to all ages, backgrounds and beliefs has been the foundation of Peak Group Global,’ the website says.

For Mrs Calava, her passion for yoga began after she returned from an exchange program in Germany and wanted to shed some weight.

‘With hot yoga she was able to accelerate her weight loss and achieve better than expected results,’ the website reads.

‘Further to this, she realised yoga was not just about improved fitness levels and weight loss results; but also about feeling good inside, an improved mindset and a focus on personal health.’

Her experience in accounting and professional services firms has been credited as the ‘bedrock’ for her company’s success.

There is yet to be a date set for the hearing of the law suit and no defence has been filed. 

Daily Mail Australia has the Calavas for comment. 

The Calavas began their business back in 2011 and had franchises around Queensland and South Australia