by Cara Butler, Once upon a time in Christchurch…. actually quite a long time ago….way before any earthquakes, way before I had kids, while I was still very much figuring out what I was doing back in New Zealand after a decade trying my best to stay away…. I somehow found myself a very novice yoga student attending classes in a very cold church hall with a very capable and intelligent teacher from the USA, Katie Lane. Anyone who has had the pleasure of studying with Katie will know … [Read more...]
Journeys in Mindfulness – Part one
by Erica Viedma, Yoga with Erica As a yoga teacher, I am aware of the delicate somatic connection between our physical sensations, thoughts and emotions. In yoga we often instruct people to stand tall and broaden the chest - opening the heart area. We ask people to open into areas that may have been guarded and held tight. At times I have observed myself and others struggle with the emotions that this kind of movement can evoke. With this in mind, I have chosen to study towards a … [Read more...]
Touch as a form of yoga communication, the benefits and the pitfalls
YogaNZ Online Forum 2021 In recognition of 'International Yoga Day 2021' (globally celebrated on June 21st) Yoga New Zealand hosted an online panel discussion. The topic of discussion was 'Touch as a form of yoga communication, the benefits and the pitfalls'. Yoga New Zealand invite the global yoga community to view this forum and engage in this important yoga conversation with us. Facilitated by Dr Felicity Molloy, you will hear a variety of perspectives from five of New Zealand's … [Read more...]
Karla Brodie and Neal Ghoshal: Talk about the powerful practice of Restorative Yoga
by Sandy Farquhar, Contemporary Yoga Restorative Yoga practices are now part of many Yoga classes. Karla Brodie and Neal Ghoshal have a combined 35 years of experience teaching Restorative Yoga in classes and courses, to individuals and through in-depth retreats, as well as tailored workshops and teacher trainings. Ahead of their next Restorative Teacher Training they share their passion for Restorative Yoga with fellow teacher and CY administrator, Sandy Farquhar. Sandy: … [Read more...]
POP – Learn more and bring greater awareness into your practice!
by Cara Butler A while back, Anja Morris contacted us here at The Yoga Lunchbox looking for help gathering stories and information from women who may have already or were currently experiencing Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP). Without a moments hesitation, as current Editor, I was happy to assist her in whatever way possible. My lack of hesitation to assist her was the result of having created the women's programme at my Yoga Studio, and having personally taught and assisted on various … [Read more...]
Supporting Women through Prenatal Yoga & Beyond
An interview with KeiShana Coursey KeiShana is the course director of Contemporary Yoga's Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training starting in July 2021. This is a 100+ hour teacher training collaboration between Opti-mum and Contemporary Yoga and includes anatomy, physiology, asana, ayurveda and much, much more. KeiShana brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this very special training having worked with many women on their childbirth journeys. In this interview, KeiShana talks about … [Read more...]
Expand Your Yogic Tool Kit : Inspiring teachers share their most supportive practices….
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...]
Unity, change and fresh memory: The precipitation of change for yoga in uncertain times
by Felicity Molloy : PhD I MEd I GDHE I MNZ RMT I YogaNZ Council Senior Level 4 1000h I BodyStill massage & yoga clinic I must be honest – although I love the world of thinking, I have not yet fully thought through a framework that accommodates our future for yoga. Yoga that responds to a pandemic, keeping in mind the urgency, the devastation, remembrance, and the next wave of hope. I offer these thoughts as theoretical embryony, not to cut across anyone’s experience … [Read more...]
The forgotten bass note
by Elly Barry, Yoga and Body Centred Inquiry Each of us contain within, a symphony of thoughts, whispers, and truths yet to be given breath. To listen within asks more than the ability to become quiet. To listen to another, more than the willingness to be all ears. Attributing a gesture of great love and attention to one body part alone, is to fall short. Deep listening begins with the ability to inhabit for a moment, the source of someone else’s longings and unmet … [Read more...]
Building Resilience with Yoga and Meditation
By Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Yoga Retreat What is Resilience? No matter who we are, the state of the bank balance, or which country we live in; the twists and turns of life, deaths, jobs, relationship stresses, natural disasters, and trauma can affect us all. Change influences each of us differently, altering our biochemistry, thoughts, and emotions. Resilience is our ability to come back to our centre, to rebound from adversity, and to respond to a challenge in a creative … [Read more...]