There has been an outpouring of grief for a popular Sunshine Coast yoga instructor who died due to childbirth complications.
Lauren Verona was a well-known health and wellness advocate in the region and ran six studios.
Ms Verona gave birth to a daughter on Wednesday, suffered complications, and died soon after.
Friend Laurentine ten Bosch said Ms Verona's death had shocked the community.
"We really stand by her family right now and … the family needs and the little young ones need."
Ms ten Bosch said her friend had made an incredible impact on the health and wellness community through her yoga practices.
"She left such an incredible legacy because she was able to train so many other teachers in her style, in her beautiful ways and spiritual philosophies," Ms ten Bosch said.
Home birth planned for third pregnancy
Ms Verona had planned a home birth for her third child and suffered some complications leading up to labour.
But Ms Verona told social media followers a week ago that she remained positive, despite grieving after losing her best friend to cancer earlier this month.
"These last few weeks and months, if I'm to be honest, have been very challenging with the countless pregnancy complications I've had," Ms Verona wrote.
"But I hear my own children say 'divine timing' when anyone asks when the baby is coming out.
Ms ten Bosch said the situation was a tragedy.
"It goes back to all of the mums that are out there that are thinking 'we've been there, we've done that, we've given birth'," she said.
"She's given us the most beautiful gift, a baby girl, to be able to look at her and go 'my mummy was amazing'."
Friends gather to remember 'shining light'
In a statement, Ms Verona's staff at Zenko Yoga said family, friends, and members were devastated by the news.
"Our beloved, inspiring, shining light Lauren passed away due to complications after giving birth to her beautiful, healthy, thriving baby girl Lucinda Lauren Elizabeth Gaylard," the statement said.
"We are so touched and eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support from near and far."
Friends and yoga members gathered on Saturday at two of Ms Verona's studios to light candles and remember the mother and popular yoga instructor.
Her long-time friend Kim Morrison described the loss as "unfathomable".
"What I would give for one more of these precious hugs," Ms Morrison said in a statement.
"It's all so surreal, devastating, so shattering.
"In the extreme joy of new life came the unfathomable and tragic sadness of your departure."
Ms Morrison had been the marriage celebrant at Ms Verona and husband Ryan Gaylard's small and intimate wedding ceremony earlier this year.
"Sweet Lauren, you have always been such an earth angel, a beacon of light, a stunning woman on a mission," she said.
"Your love and care for others was immeasurable."
Ms Verona's yoga team said her studios would remain open as it was the teacher's wish for them to be a "safe haven … in times of happiness and in times of mourning".
Ms Verona is survived by her three daughters Allira, Evie, and Lucinda, and husband Ryan.
