A young man, a desire to meditate, and India circa 1979

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By guest author John Guthrie April 1979, Kundabodha, a Meditation hermitage in Sri Lanka. This young man had been travelling for some time. Having already begun to learn the disciplines of Hatha Yoga, he now had a burning desire to learn meditation. In particular Buddhist meditation had an appeal to him. What drugs could not do, then no doubt meditation would succeed. After all, in much of what he had read in those recent times, the authors wrote that the illusory nature of mind … [Read more...]

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe – Which is better, Yoga or Pilates?

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by guest author Jude Mahood, Suburban Yoga, Dunedin I recently heard someone describe Yoga/Pilates fusion (or Yogalates as it is often called) as the coming together of natural soul mates. I couldn’t agree more. But there are still many people out there who think that bringing Pilates principles into their Yoga is somehow tainting or contaminating. There is nothing wrong with being purist in our thinking, but it’s also important to maintain an open mind. When we close our … [Read more...]

June 28, 2013: Auckland, STOTT PILATES teacher training course

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Please click the image below to see a larger version, which is easier to read. Become a Pilates Instructor & compliment your Yoga practice with STOTT PILATES. Core Pilates Studio is New Zealand’s only STOTT PILATES® training centre, offering full certification in the STOTT PILATES method. Our courses are globally recognised and provide a qualification that will equip you with the skills to compliment your Yoga practice with Pilates instructing. Visit the Core Pilates website for more … [Read more...]

Yoga: Contortions, distortions and misunderstandings

The New York Times says that yoga can ruin your body

By guest author Nanditha Ram, author of Blissful Mom, Blissful Baby I recently read an article in The New York Times about the dangers of yoga entitled How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body. Let me play devil's advocate for a second and say, "yes, it can". Indeed, anything taken to the extreme, has the seeds of the opposite sown in it. And so it is with yoga too. Too much of a good thing... Still, the very idea that yoga is dangerous is preposterous. That said, the way in which we practice an age … [Read more...]

Sacred Feminine and Yoga: Honouring the forces within. Part 3

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by guest author, Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Yoga Retreat All cultures of the ancient world worshipped the principles of the Mother, Shakti or Devi. Although it may have been called by different names, the concept of a force which bestows life, nourishes, loves, comforts, supports and transforms has always been present. In Christianity, we know her as Mother Mary. In Japan, she was Amaterasu, the sun-goddess; in Greece, she is Demeter, the corn-goddess, Aphrodite, the goddess of … [Read more...]

October 2013: Auckland, Byron Yoga Centre’s Level 1 Part Time and Level 2 Intensive Teacher Training Courses

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Please click the image below to see a larger version, which is easier to read. Following the success of the first New Zealand Level 1 Teacher Training Courses last year, Byron Yoga Centre now continues to offer the Part Time Level 1 Teacher Training Courses starting in November, and a Level 2 Intensive course option first time in Auckland, New Zealand. When you make the pivotal decision to embark on yoga teacher training, you know you’re in safe hands with Byron Yoga Centre. As one of … [Read more...]