Kiwi yoga

25/05/2023

How to live this human life ?

That is a pretty big question on a Thursday morning and honestly I ask myself this question almost everyday.

I think it has a lot to do with the ressources we create for ourselves to keep on coming back to our center, to ourselves.

For me it has been Yoga, dance and some other practices that are my tools to navigate life, and yes sometimes I forget them !

I had the chance of being in a great retreat run by the amazing Geordie Jahner , Open Floor teacher, last WE at Mana in Coromandel . One of the movement exercise was to feel how we navigate shaky, uneven, rolling grounds ( I am talking emotional , mental grounds here), and the importance to come back to our center, to remember we know "how to swim", that we've got what it takes.
This little metaphor literally "saved" me the next day when I was hit with a family crisis.

NADI SHODHANA
To bring the topic back to yoga, yesterday in class, we practiced a pranayama (breathing) called Nadi shodhana .
It has also been in my tool kit as a powerful way to bring myself back to balance, to the present moment, to alleviate stress .
If you know the practice, I encourage you to give it a go for a couple of weeks and see how you feel. Even just 5-10 minutes a day .

Here are the benefits , taken from the APMB book ("bible"of satyananda yoga):
Nadi shodhana ensures that the whole body is nourished by an extra supply of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is efficiently expelled and the blood is purified of toxins.The brain centres are stimulated to work nearer to theiroptimum capacity. It also induces tranquillity, clarity ofthought and concentration, and is recommended for thoseengaged in mental work. It increases vitality and lowerslevels of stress and anxiety by harmonising the pranas.

23/05/2023

As some of you will know I have a real love of restorative yoga that I used to teach in Howick to a little group of adepts.
I was lucky to have learnt this magical practice with Neal Goshal and Karla Brodie a while back.

I just saw that Karla was offering some sloth sessions in Auckland , if you are in the area you might want to check them out :

It is the plan to bring restorative yoga classes in Raglan as well after august.

Sunday Sloth Sessions

Join Karla and friends this Sunday for an afternoon Restorative Yoga Gathering at the Contemporary Yoga Centre, Remuera. Part of the proceeds will go to nature / wildlife conservation, animal welfare, Wellness classes and friends in Nepal.

May 28 / June 25 / July 30

2-3.30pm or 4.30-6pm

$35 per session
For bookings contact Karla
021964252
karla@karlabrodie.co.nz

17/05/2023

Good morning,

As we have been exploring the Metal element in class for the last three weeks, it is actually feeling nice to feel the first bouts of cold. There is something special about breathing in fresh , brisk air. As long as we have a nice warm house to go to, where the fire is lit.

In class last night , I suggested the idea, related to our metal element, of self inquiry. As the season invites us to slow down, to tune inwards more , we might take this opportunity to look within and feel into bringing more consciousness around our thoughts, actions ...

It is one of the aspect of yoga that did change my life over the course of many years and what I love to share :
This slower version of yoga , based on personal inquiry, respect , that honour our bodies, minds, that welcome everyone .

This is the poem I shared last night :

Just for Now,

Without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness.
Just for now, lay down the weight
You so patiently bear upon your shoulders.
Feel the earth receive you,
And the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider,
as your awareness reaches up to meet it.
Just for now,
Allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience.
Breathe out whatever blocks you from the truth.
Just for now,
Be boundless, free, with awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet.
Drink in the possibility
Of being who and what you really are –
So fully alive that the world looks different,
Newly born and vibrant, just for now.

by Danna Faulds

The photo is my beautiful sister Charlotte.

09/05/2023

A friend of mine shared this poem today:
Please dont miss the boat !
A good reminder to be aware where our attention is

Missing the Boat
It is not so much that the boat passed and you failed to notice it.
It is more like the boat stopping directly outside your bedroom window, the captain blowing the signal-horn, the band playing a rousing march.
The boat shouted, waving bright flags,
its silver hull blinding in the sunlight.
But you had this idea you were going by train.
You kept checking the time-table, digging for tracks.
And the boat got tired of you, so tired it puled up the anchor and raised the ramp.
The boat bobbed into the distance, shrinking like a toy—
at which point you probably realized you had always loved the sea.
by Naomi Shihab Nye

08/05/2023

METAL ELEMENT

Hello,

We had our first class in Raglan last week with a focus on the Metal element ( lungs and large intestine) and what we are taking in and letting go off.

It felt great to get back into teaching, sharing of yoga and I hope that the students enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed teaching them even with a sore back !

As much as I understand and value the importance of using asanas as part of the yoga class, as they are necessary to support our vehicle body to be healthy and strong, I really feel that bringing consciousness to the way move, are, feel is as important.

When do we take the time to pause long enough to tune into what is happening for us on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level? not often I think. So maybe during this 1h30, it gives us a chance to be and ponder.

So if you want to tune into this Autumn season (metal element) you can:
- Notice the slowing down after the busyness and fire of Summer
-Pay attention to what you are holding on and not really serving you
-Let go of what is not necessary
-Remember to breath (if you are familiar with a pranayama practice, pick one that you like)
- Embrace the change you want in your life
-The two emotions associated with this element are grief and courage. Can you allow yourself to feel them?
- Watch the leaves die and fall ( if you live in an area where that happens ! Remember how change is beautiful
- If you practice asanas, move in a way that will open your chest, shoulders, arms.

If you are in Raglan on Wednesday and want to join us we will be at the Raglan Old school center at 6.30pm.

25/04/2023

As I am preparing this retreat in France this summer titled " Become the heroine of your own life", I am searching through my files for past inspiration and I found that little quote that really hit the spot this morning.
For the last 10 years, I have definitely been on this journey what I thought was about finding myself until I realised couple of years ago, that I was missing the point. I was already there, complete and "all" I had to do was to get out of my own way !
I love the ebbs and flow of this life and the tremendous journey it takes us on.

18/04/2023

Hello dear friends,
I have been receiving Donna Fhari's emails with articles she had written over the years of her career as an international yoga teacher. You will know how much I value her work and how it has shaped the way I practice and teach yoga .

Please have a read as it highlight the power of practicing yoga from an inward journey perspective.
https://donnafarhi.co.nz/alignment-from-the-inside-out/

" asana practice this tendency to disconnect from felt inner experience and to attend instead to outer reference systems plays itself out in myriad ways. The common pitfall is to make the accomplishment of an idealized form the primary imperative of asana practice, even when it means ignoring key warning signs that all is not well. What would our asana practice look like if we turned that inside out? What if the primary imperative of the practice, first, last, and always, was to find an inner alignment and attunement that allows our body to express its own innate integrity—right now, at this moment, in this body, rather than Swami Somebody Else’s body? What would happen if we made ourselves and our self-discovery more important than the pose? What new insights would we glean if we were willing to listen to subtle cues—to pause, adjust, or come out of a pose—regardless of what others thought of our actions?" Donna Fhari extract from the article above.

By gracefully yielding to gravity, you can meet challenging poses with efficiency and ease to create alignment from the inside out.

26/09/2021

Hello lovely people,

I know I know I have been very quiet since the end of last year and as we will say in the French , water has run under the bridges! not sure how it translates in English... lots have happened. I am sure it must be true for lots of you as well as we are in a big period of transition .

The world and New Zealand is in a different place to when I said my good byes to you end of last year.
I sincerely hope you are well and travelling these turbulent waters with relative ease and that yoga is still very much part of your life.
It is in times like these, that we are grateful to have the tools to feel, ground and stay centred.

So, teaching toga has been put on hold for the moment and yes I miss it sometimes, I miss our connections and our times together in the studio.

So , after more than 6 months working on this project, it is finaly out in the world, the land is secured and we are working on building relationships with the local community and out first meeting to introduce the project to the people of Raglan and to invite potential residents, collaborators and investors is next week.

Please have a look at the page, check the website and I would love to hear your comments.

Namaste

https://www.facebook.com/Raglan-Ecovillage-Project-106507388445528

We are about creating a regenerative place where we can recreate new paradigmes of living where we ca

02/05/2021

Hey Yogi's,

Bailee here, my yoga app, Vitality Yoga is launching this coming Sunday, Mothers Day!

Join the waitlist to be the first to join and get your customised yoga program that is easily accessible from your phone, laptop or tablet.

Whether your goals are to rest and restore, calm and balance, energise or strengthen, there is a program for you.

Each day you will get a 20 minute flow video, and either a pranayama, meditation or relaxation to support your goals.

Choose from a 3 or 5 day program, and sign up for one month or three, the choice is yours.

You will even see some videos filmed at the old Kiwi Yoga studio!
https://getstarted.vitalityyoga.io/

Did 2020 get the better of you - mentally and physically? Are you looking to connect back to your true self and feel your best? Our aim is to share with you the incredible benefits of yoga to help you transform your life. At Vitality Yoga we look at health from a holistic perspective. We believe you...

14/01/2021

Hey Kiwi Yoga Yogi's!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years and are enjoying a self-practice from home or wherever the holidays have taken you.

Bailee here, just checking in to to let you know about the yoga app I have been developing called Vitality Yoga!

Vitality Yoga was born so I could share the incredible benefits of yoga with you not only when we are in class together but when we are apart too!

Our yoga programs offer an authentic and traditional yoga practice which is accessible anytime and anywhere through the Vitality Yoga app which is launching soon.

Like my page so we can stay connected and I look forward to the launch of the Vitality Yoga App so I can help you get Fit For Life!

Sending you love and light.

Hari Aum 💙😇🙏

https://www.facebook.com/vitalityyoga.io

At Vitality Yoga we look at health from a holistic perspective. We believe your well-being is a resu

05/12/2020

That’s it.... a page is turning, just like that ! Life will keep on rolling , changes will keep on happening, yoga will keep on changing people’s lives , teachers will show up on our path just as it is needed.

Thanks again to all my students, teachers for the wonderful journey that the the Kiwi Yoga studio has been the past 12 years.

Friday night celebration was a beautiful testimony of what can happen when we gather as a group to celebrate the power of self transformation in our lives , when we let go of the old and embrace the new.
I was very touched and emotional about all the beautiful words, tears, gifts , I received from all of you .

Thanks to my beautiful friend and teacher Dee for the Kirtan and the acknowledgment of our friendship and journey together.

Thanks to Cherie, Lisa, Bailee, Agata and Sharn ( who could not join but was in our heart) for infusing your great energy in your classes.

I move away from the studio, but I will keep in touch relating to my new offerings for next year.

This week I will send you the details of the teachers teaching classes in our area next year, Lisa, Cherie, Agata, Sharn. We wish Bailee all the best for next year in Dunedin . (Bailee will launch her Yoga app soon, so you can continue practicing with her)

I wish you all a great Xmas and a good holiday .

There is one more week of classes. Last class Thursday night with Bailee.
All classes are open to casual classes so feel free to join.

24/11/2020

A local yoga teacher Juliet is posting this event
Beach Yoga Fundraiser – Yoga Education in Prisons Trust

Hi Fellow Yogi’s

I am holding a fundraiser for Yoga Education in Prisons Trust next Sunday 29th November. As many of you know, I teach Yoga in the Auckland Woman’s Prison, and this is a cause very close to my heart.

The Trust does essential work raising awareness of Yoga in Prisons, supporting the teachers who teach across all prisons in NZ, supplying yoga mats and running a correspondence course for any pupils who wish to take their yoga further.

Full details below:

Theme for the class: Freedom from Within (also the name of the YEPT correspondence course).

When: Sunday 29th November, 9-10am.

Where: Macleans Park at the end of The Esplanade, Eastern beach.
Directions: Turn right into The Esplanade at the end of Eastern Beach Road, drive to the carpark, look for the yoga mats on the grass next to the beach.

In the event of rain, the class will be postponed to the following week – check Yoga with Juliet on Facebook for weather updates, or contact Juliet on 021465941.

Bring: Mats and a warm layer of clothing. Suitable for all levels including beginners, no need to preregister
Koha gratefully accepted, either bring cash or deposit prior to Juliet Slogrove account 06-0169-0152894-03.

17/11/2020

5 DAYS ENERGETIC RETREAT AT ASHRAM YOGA OPUETERE BEACH
25TH NOVEMBER

This year has been crazy for lots of us, our kiwi yoga retreat got cancelled because of personal circumstances but here is your unique chance to experience this beautiful exploration at Ashram Yoga retreat center at Opuetere beach with senior teacher and dear friend, Dee.
Ashram Yoga is closing his retreat center so it is the last chance to go and enjoy this stunning and unique place, and to go on an exploration of these energetic centers.
I would highly recommend going ! (4 spaces left)

https://www.ashramyoga.com/event-info/spiraling-through-the-chakras

5 Day Energetic Retreat

19/10/2020

ACTIVE FLOW WITH BAILEE THURSDAYS 5.30PM

Feel like you can do with a more flexible body and mind ?
Dealing with a busy mind that seems to take over ?
Struggling to relax ?

Come and join Bailee as she guides you in a well balanced practice where you will build strength both physically and mentally , and enjoy beautiful stretch and relaxation

Kiwiyoga studio in Mellons Bay

8 more weeks in the term $128
Book here : Momoyoga.com/Kiwiyoga/register

19/10/2020

I am teaching Thursday's 5:30pm at the beautiful Kiwi yoga studio in Howick. Join me over the next 8 weeks as I guide you through a well balanced practice where you will build strength both physically and mentally, and enjoy some beautiful stretches and relaxation.

Message me for more info or book via momoyoga.com/kiwiyoga/register/

13/10/2020

Hello beautiful people
I am back in the country and I write from my isolation room where I will be spending the next 14 days. It feels kind of surreal though it is so good to be back in Kiwi land, even in this midst of this crazy situation, I felt welcome with the smile and humour of the staff. Thanks New Zealand.

We have still room in our evening classes this term, as well as morning classes.

WEDNESDAYS
Tonight, dont miss the great, beginner and gentle classes with Agata, she is an amazing experienced teacher, who will lead you in a practice where you will feel better in whole levels of your beings .
Wednesdays 6.00-7.30pm
9 weeks starting from tonight , $144

THURSDAYS
Bailee Active Flow class
Bailee will lead you through a well balanced practice where you will build strength both physically and mentally, accompanied by beautiful stretches.
Thursdays 5.30-7.00pm
9 weeks starting tomorrow , $144

TUESDAYS

Bailee will lead the first 4 classes of the term (general classes) and Nadine will be back to teach the final 6 classes.( Zenthai)

Come and let yourself be moved by the energy of the elements !
Following a particular theme that relates to different elements ( Fire, water, metal, wood, earth) , we will move our bodies, breath, tune in to all parts of ourselves and see what unfolds.
You will feel refreshed, stretched, more settled and ready to get on with your day.
In this class, we will use the tools of postures, breath, energy, mindfulness to create space, movement, stillness, whatever you feel is needed for your body, mind, emotion and soul to come alive. Come join us in this adventure where all of yourself is welcome.
Bailee will teach the first 4 weeks and nadine the 5 remaining weeks.
Tuesdays 6pm-7.30pm
8 weeks left $ 128

BOOK HERE : momoyoga.com/kiwiyoga/register/

08/10/2020

WEDNESDAYS 6PM-7.30PM
GENTLE AND BEGINNER CLASS, 9 WEEKS TERM
Starting 14th of October
Location : Mellons Bay studio
New teacher : Agatha

Beginners class with Agata.
Purpose: learn basic poses of yoga, help with lower back pain, learn breathing and techniques to relax and restore.

About the teacher:
Agata Smuzniak Hubbard is a qualified Sun Power Yoga UK teacher, who is originally from Poland. Her style of teaching combines gentle yoga, breathing, mindful movement, and powerful relaxation techniques.
Agata is also Bodylight Foundation teacher - a perfect style for beginners with a foundation of holistic movement, alignment and mindful breathing to help create a more centred body and mind. She puts attention on gentle but technically correct form that is important to all beginners. Agata is a respectful and kind teacher that loves to create a relaxing yet empowering atmosphere in her classes.

Book here for Agata’s class : momoyoga.com/kiwiyoga/register/

Lookup Kiwiyoga's schedule. Register and book a class in minutes.