Circle of Yoga

20/10/2025

Always well articulated teaching by Kaustubha.....

Sometimes surrender, not struggle, opens the dawn.

10/08/2025

Each Monday I teach at Age Concern, this is a community chair yoga class to improve strength, flexibility, balance and posture. I adore this class and the community that shows up. While I am there to support them in chair yoga, I love the beautiful exchange about life. If you know anyone who might benefit from this class, please ask them to contact Age Concern Hastings directly on 06 870 9060.

18/07/2025

Spiraling Inward - Tuning In and Yoga Nidra - tonight at 6pm
We have a few spots left tonight, are you a last minute booker who is keen to spiral inward to nourish your inner light? Booking via https://www.theyogaspacehastings.com/event-details/tuning-in-yoga-nidra-2025-07-18-18-00

21/06/2025

Solstice and Matariki
What a weekend for honouring the darkness and the slow return of the light. The longest night of the year is tonight, a key moment of deepening and withdrawing, an invitation to embrace stillness and honor the turning point toward light. It’s a sacred moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your inner self. Matariki: heralding the new year. The literal meaning is 'little eyes' referring to the appearance of this beautiful jewel-like cluster of six or seven stars that are now rising in the Southern skies.

Creating Daily Winter Ritual
My personal practice space is in front of the fire and includes many things but a couple of suggestions you might like to try:
🕯️ Light a Candle and Practice Trataka
Though many objects can be used to focus your gaze during trataka, the most common is the flame of a candle. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika defines trataka as “looking intently with an unwavering gaze at a small point until tears are shed.” This simple technique has a purifying, invigorating effect on the mind and improves concentration, paving the way for a deeper meditation practice.
❄️Listen to Yoga Nidra : This practice invites you to explore the deep stillness of the Solstice while connecting with the natural rhythm of renewal. I suggest trying “Winter Solstice Nidra: An Invitation to Dance in Stillness” by Vanessa Fleming. 🔗 https://www.yoganidranetwork.org/nidras/winter-solstice-nidra-an-invitation-to-dance-in-stillness/
💫Reflect & Journal
Take a few moments to journal or meditate: What are you grateful for as this year closes? What dreams or intentions do you wish to nurture as the light grows? I had the chance to briefly do this with a close friend today, it was simple but such a beautiful way to be seen and heard with intention.

Making everyday ritual and honouring the seasons are such simple yet profound way to align with the season’s energy, honor the darkness, and welcome the light.

13/05/2025

This later part of Autumn is one of my favourite times of year. In Ayurveda, this is known as Vata season. The dry, rough and mobile qualities need to be balanced with stability, routine and grounding. Autumn is a great time to care for the nervous system and prioritize slowing down. It is the perfect time to plan and incubate ideas, like a bulb resting in the soil over winter, you will be ready next spring to send up new green shoots. If you need some nourishing movement, rituals for rejuvenation and tips and ideas for meditation, recipes and rest, you would be welcome to come to either of my weekly classes at 6pm on Wednesday or 6am on Thursday.

26/04/2025

Term 2 Hatha Yoga begins this week. There are two classes to choose from Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, in these classes you will be guided through a traditional hatha yoga class. It is suitable for all levels and can be a great introduction to yoga if you're new, or a way to commit and deepen your already existing practice. Both classes are held The Yoga Space Hastings and further details can be found here https://www.theyogaspacehastings.com/classes

26/04/2025

08/04/2025

Ready for rest? Inside our little yoga space, this Friday a deep peace is waiting for you. Walk in the door, leave your worries outside, take time for healing and self care. This picture was taken from the last Tuning In and Yoga Nidra...in the moment of quiet and stillness when the room was set, there was a pause when Erica and I (Rachel)took a breath to settle ourselves and prepare for everyone to arrive... opening up for the magic to flow through. This event sold out last time , so do book ahead. Tuning In and Yoga Nidra this Friday 11th April or 2nd May. Booking is via the www.theyogaspacehastings.com under events.

27/03/2025

Allow yourself to be cradled by the soothing darkness of the new moon and the drawing in of the autumn nights. We have a beautiful collaboration event this Friday with Rachel and Erica called Tuning In and Yoga Nidra. This event will allow you to surrender, release and rebirth, aligning your inner state with the outer lunar cycle/rhythm. This event has limited spaces due to the nature of the event and there are just a few spots left. Full description and booking is via the event page on The Yoga Space website.

28/02/2025

We are delighted to be hosting two workshops over the weekend with Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati an engaging, intuitive yoga and meditation teacher, inspirational speaker, and writer. With over 30 years of experience in the yoga field, she is an IAYT certified Yoga Therapist and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communications with a minor in Psychology.
Specializing in stress and emotion management, Restorative Therapeutic Practices, Yoga Psychology, Women's Health, Chakras, and Prana, Swami Karma Karuna is
also a co-founder and director of Yoga Retreat, New Zealand. She travels
worldwide, leading workshops, training yoga teachers, presenting at international
events, guiding retreats, and offering therapeutic one-to-one yoga sessions.
Sunday 2nd March 10am-1pm Unveiling Your Authentic Self
Monday 3rd March 6-8pm A Journey to Balance
We are also super excited for the Akhanda Kirtan that Swami Karma Karuna will also join us for alongside the Hawke's Bay Kirtan Collective.
Sunday 2nd March 4-8pm - Akhanda Kirtan - this one is being held at Keirunga Gardens in the homestead.
All events need to be pre-booked via Rachel Chapman circleofyoganz@gmail.com