Our first retreat on January 19th 2020 was 'The Earth Element' and celebrated Papatūānuku and Hine-Ahu-One, the Earth Mother and her daughter.
New Beginnings 2021
Jan 21, 2021
Ngā mihi ō te tau hou kia ā koe! Happy New Year to you!
Or, for those living by the Maramataka - happy middle of the year!
The Maramataka is the moon phases that māori lived by pre colonisation- to me as a wahine it make s perfect sense to be in tune with the moons subtle but powerful energy and flow, that energy which effects or environment, the oceans, the plants and animals, why wouldn't it effect us as a part of the environment too.
Whether you are in full swing setting new goals for 2021, or taking stock of how far you have come along your path, whenever you began it, I guess the number Tahi - 1 - can stand for a beginning or renewal.
Maybe this time of year is about continuing to move forward with your health goals, or perhaps 2021 is a restart after a rest, or a brand new you year!
I am looking forward to beginning the yoga once more with students from February 9th. I do allow myself time off from yoga during the holidays to focus on family, though...
The gifts of a mindful yoga practice - Part One
Nov 23, 2020
I have often been asked what do I receive from my yoga practice? It's a great question because it reminds me of the reasons why I practice, and teach, so that others can also receive the gifts yoga has to offer.
Different people receive different gifts from their practice, but it is definitely worth reflecting and asking - what do you receive?
Over the years I have been teaching and sharing yoga, many people have experienced some form of healing through yoga. Sometimes subtle, sometimes profound, so it is not an easy question to answer, because it is different for many people.
I feel like there is always so much we are going through as human beings. And it can't be avoided if we are living, breathing, interacting, working, raising families, caring for ourselves and others.
We have had things happen to us throughout life, positive experiences and negative experiences, some that helped us to grow, some that...
Goddess Within Retreats and how they came about...
Sep 24, 2020
Working with the Goddess Energy is very powerful and transformative, in fact, it can be a game changer.
My kaupapa is to bring you a unique viewpoint, seeing the goddess through my own cultural lens, celebrating and honouring the Atua Wāhine Māori, some of which you may not of heard of before.
I have been researching and uncovering their stories for several years now, after attending a Goddess Retreat with Sally Kempton in the USA in 2014, through experiences I had on this retreat I feel I was directed by wairua to come home, and turn back to my own whakapapa, to learn more and share our own goddesses.
This was evident to me through the experiences I had there in San Jose, on top of Mount Madonna in an ancient Redwood forest.
I also witnessed children at the school...
It's all about the breath
Apr 06, 2020
"Hā ki Roto - Hā ki Waho" -" Breathe in - Breathe out"
Sometimes this simple instruction is all we can do in life and yoga!
"Don't forget to breathe", as a great teacher once told me many years ago.
Sounds simple, but it is the simplest things that can sometimes be the most profound, both in practice, and in practice off the mat- also known as - life!
A simple way to tell how you are doing in yoga is- to be aware of your breath.
āroa hā = breath awareness ( see how close this is to aro-ha )
In our classes the awareness of the breath, the Hā in Māori ( also sometimes known as hau, ngā , manawa and tā to name a few of the words to describe the breath ) is all important, as important as what you do with your body, if not more.
Hā also means your essence.
The breath is the bridge between our bodies and our mind in yoga. It contains the life force, and links us to our divine nature.
The...
