by Cara Butler As we all continue to process and progress through this global pandemic together, I find myself wondering how it has affected personal yoga practices. I know mine has personally shifted but I was curious to hear from those around me with more experience and wisdom, so I reached out to five of the best teachers we have in Aotearoa to share their guidance with you all. This is what I asked of them...... ‘Taking into consideration all that has occurred over the past 18 … [Read more...]
Yogic hyperventilation syndrome – are your cues creating dysfunctional breathing?
by Dr Jane Hardcastle, Movewell: therapeutic yoga, massage, and movement “Take a deep breath in…and out” is synonymous with many yoga classes as yoga teachers encourage students to better access their breath, become aware of chest (or reverse) breathing and use their breath as a barometer of where, and how they are. Classes are often accompanied by publicly audible ‘ujjayi’ breath…even though students are only required to use that breath to raise or lower an arm. We witness bellies … [Read more...]
How to Activate Your Chakras, Unlock Your Asana Practice & Make Your Heart Sing
By Premaloka, Yoga on Waiheke Join Premloka for her Awakened Heart Yoga Retreats and Workshops: Raglan, New Zealand 28th-30th October 2016 Kovalam, India August/September 2017. Find out more here. Would you like more Happiness in your life? Would you like your practice to not only be connected to the physical body, the mind, and your breath, but to also transform you emotionally? Through working directly with the chakras and then connecting with the Bhavas (the body’s emotional … [Read more...]
When Overwhelming Thoughts Take Over Your Restorative Yoga Practice
By Nityda Bhakti, The Yoga Wellness Space Yoga is a practice of turning inward or pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). It can be hard to do this at times in a more rigorous yoga class, especially for those still learning the poses and therefore needing to fix their focus to others in the room in an effort to get their bodies into the right position. Restorative yoga allows us the space to hold poses for longer, with the support of props, so that we don’t have to use physical effort to do … [Read more...]
The Inside Scoop on the Yoga In Tahiti Retreats
By Jennifer Hanning, Yoga In Tahiti Kia ora, fellow Kiwis! Even though I moved to Australia in my early twenties, I still call New Zealand home and try to get back every year. Australia has been good to me, helping me get over a devastating betrayal – which is why I ran away from home – and providing me with a lovely man and a long career with a software development team. However, in 2008, something especially wonderful happened – my whole team was retrenched and I found myself out of … [Read more...]
How Yoga Helped Me Deal with the Emotional and Psychological After-Effects of Trauma from Living and Working in Afghanistan
by Marianne Elliott, author of Zen Under Fire When it comes to working with fear, yoga is one of my secret weapons. Fear is not just a thought or idea. Fear is a neurobiological reaction to perceived threat. This is where modern neuroscience catches up with the wisdom of yoga and meditation. The autonomic nervous system (i.e. the part you don't consciously control) is divided into two sections: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system acts to … [Read more...]
Pranayama – It’s Your Medium to the ‘Super Soul’
by guest author L. Farrah Furtado India… the place that heightens the sense of penetration into another worldly reality, or the world beyond this one; a world within a world. I am currently in Mysore, India taking a pranayama, mudra and philosophy course at the Krishnamachar Sri Patanjala Yoga Shala with the famous Guruji, B. N. S. Iyengar. (Not to be confused with B. K. S. Iyengar). This entails taking an hour class with him every day and practicing pranayama six days a week for four … [Read more...]
July 27: Christchurch, Therapeutic Yoga for the Spine and Pelvic Floor
Therapeutic Yoga for the spine and pelvic floor with Marina Locke. In the morning we will explore the function and movement of the spine, common problems and resolutions through yoga techniques. In the afternoon an in-depth study and practice of pelvic floor function and strengthening - go beyond Kegels! Each may be taken separately. For more information contact Marina on 021 871 818 or visit her website. … [Read more...]
September 17 – 21: Auckland, The Practice of Pranayama with A.G. and Indra Mohan
Click on the PDF to open a large version that is easier to read. Join international yoga teachers, A.G. and Indra Mohan for this perfect opportunity to study the complex and often obscure concepts of pranayama. The Mohans are renowned for their ability to propagate teachings in a clear, precise manner bringing ancient wisdom alive for application in modern day life and situations. This program is open to anyone interested in understanding the powerful yogic practice of breath awareness and … [Read more...]
June 7 – 9: Wellington, Healing Words – Chanting in Yoga Practice
Join us to explore the application of chanting in asana (yoga postures), pranayama (conscious breathing) and meditation practices, and through lectures, workshops and personal experiences. Contact Ruth Diggins or visit the website for more information. … [Read more...]