by Kara-Leah Grant I’m in one of my favourite places in the world - Glenorchy. The sun is shining. The day is still. It’s at least 20 degrees, which passes for a good summer’s day in what has been the worst summer in years. There’s so much in my life to be grateful for - a loving partner, growing son, supportive family, expanding retreats, selling books, thriving website, incredible friends. I am where I always wanted to be. And yet, I am not relaxed. Nor am I enjoying myself. And I am … [Read more...]
Restorative Yoga: Exploring Supported Child’s Pose In-depth
By Neal Ghoshal, Sacred Moves A little while ago I wrote an article on the eight essential principles of Restorative Yoga. Since then I've been continuing to delve deep into this beautiful practice. Deep rest is always calling! I'm happy to be sharing some more … and one of the most profoundly restful of the Restorative postures is Supported Child's Pose (Salamba Balasana). This is a posture which many find deliciously comforting and relaxing, perhaps because it tunes us into a time when … [Read more...]
Jonathan from Team Shakti on Bringing the Bed of Nails to NZ
by Kara-Leah Grant Apparently one in ten Swedish people own a variation of the Shakti Mat - a modern-day rendering of the bed of nails. Consisting of a thin foam filler inside a cotton case mounted with 6000 plus plastic spikes, the Shakti Mat is meant to "increase blood circulation and stimulate the body to release endorphins which help to bring about a deeply relaxed state." And now, thanks to Jonathan and his business partner, who came across the Shakti Mat on a beach in Thailand, the … [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...]
The Eight Essentials of Restorative Yoga
by guest author Neal Ghoshal, Sacred Moves A few years ago I enrolled on my second Yoga Teacher Training course for a year at the Yoga Academy Auckland - I was on a mission to learn more about this practice and to equip myself with as much knowledge as I could. If I was going to teach Yoga, then I wanted to be good at it. About half way through the year, course tutor Jude Hynes gave us a new practice, brought out some Yoga bolsters from the cupboard and introduced us to the wonderful world of … [Read more...]
November – December 2013: Anahata Yoga Retreat, Yoga Wisdom Series, Yogic Lifestyle Retreats with Swami Neelmani
Discover different aspects of your personality expressed through the five elements and chakras within each of us! During the month of November and December we are again celebrating with Yoga Wisdom Series - a special theme for each week based on the 5 elements and chakras. Using mindfulness, experience yogic lifestyle and learn how to apply these practical applications to everyday life. All Weeks Include: Hatha Yoga classes Satyananda Yoga Nidra™ (deep relaxation) Kirtan … [Read more...]
Sacred Feminine and Yoga: Practical Tools. Part 4
by guest author Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Yoga Retreat There are more practical tools than can be described belonging to tantra and yoga that are beneficial for a woman’s body, mind and support the connection to the inner sacred space. The practices all work in different ways with the ultimate goal of helping one to reconnect with their higher self or the inner Shakti, which in fact is the sacred feminine. Shakti is the life force. When it is blocked or out of balance, physical and … [Read more...]
Sacred Feminine and Yoga: It’s all about balance. Part 2
by guest author Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Yoga Retreat The Tantric view of creation is that there are two forces called Shiva and Shakti representing the male and female aspects of creation, which exist within each and every person. Shiva, also called Purusha, is the masculine force and is pure ‘consciousness'. Shakti or Prakriti is the feminine force that is pure ‘energy’. One cannot exist without the other and both are within each of us. This duality is also described in the word 'Ha' … [Read more...]
June 1-3: Auckland, Sacred Feminine Yoga Retreat with Swami Karma Karuna
Through nurturing sessions of yoga, creativity and music learn to awaken and channel the feminine force (shakti) to its creative potential. In this special retreat honouring the divine feminine energy, experience the special bond shared between women and join together to reignite our connection with Mother Earth and one another. Through nurturing sessions of yoga, creativity and music learn to awaken and channel the feminine force (shakti) to its creative potential. Join us in this safe and … [Read more...]
August 23 – 25: Taupo, Awakening the Heart with Yoga with Swamis Karma Karuna and Sannyasin Atmabhava
Man is a composition of head, heart and hands, so he must have a synthesis of all three yogas initially - Swami Niranjan Experience a heart awakening weekend with yogic practices to direct the emotions, harmonize the body and balance the mind. Leave the intellect at home and experience practices to direct the emotions, harmonize the body and balance the mind. Take this great opportunity to deepen your experience of yoga and open the heart space. Includes: Hatha Yoga classes Anahata … [Read more...]