It is a truism that we live in “challenging times” and regardless of whether you’ve been practicing yoga for a few months or a few decades, it’s not always easy to find ballast for the keel.  We’ve relied on and continue to need connection to stay well.

A few days ago, one of our lovely Art of Teaching graduates expressed how practicing to a recording of the Unwinding livestream class had helped her assuage a growing sense of panic and anxiety after receiving news that she was being made redundant from her job.  Several hours after her yoga practice she felt a renewed sense of calm and by morning had some new creative ideas for her future work. 

What I didn’t anticipate when putting together the current livestream series, is how wonderful it is to see so many familiar faces and to be able to participate myself in classes with teachers I love and trust.  It’s one way to find community in a time when just about every other aspect of our lives has become deliberately distanced.  Who knows!  You may be lucky enough to see Lisa Petersen’s rabbit Oscar make a guest appearance or myself in Savasana with my dog wrapped around my head.  You might just discover a network of fellow yogis with cats, dogs, bunnies, young children and lives that need centering, just like you!

We’ve got some wonderful classes coming up!

Core Steadiness with Donna, Wednesday, April 13, 10:00-11:30 am (New Zealand Time)

In both Western and Eastern traditions the center of gravity within the pelvis is considered the calibrating keystone for organizing the entire body. Sometimes referred to as the hara, dantien or the deep navel center, refining the position of the navel center gives us the ability to both release and contain the energy that moves through the pelvis. Having a strong yet mobile core not only has a powerful physical effect, it also affects us energetically, emotionally and spiritually.

A particular emphasis of this class will be using the practice of yama or “restraint” as a way of bringing our fullest attention to stability within both the body and mind. Stability is then used as the prerequisite condition from which to expand and a stable reference point to which we can return. The mindful practice of yama serves to develop a sense of calmness in the nervous system and steadiness of the mind and heart.

Go With The Flow with Neal Ghoshal, Thursday, April 21, 8:00-9:30 am (New Zealand Time)

We are fluid beings that have arrived on land.” - Emilie Conrad, Continuum founder

This class is an invitation to embody our fluids. As we enter our practice, let us take our time to feel our way towards being fluid, liquid, watery (after all, we are primarily made mostly of water). Flow Yoga speaks to being adaptable, changeable, moving out of habitual movement patterns (to offer ourselves choice).

By harnessing the power of our fluid body through softening and rolling practices, and releasing excess tension, we will move into exploring how this may inform our form, our structural body. And perhaps, like original Yogis of ancient times, we may practice Yoga as an evolutionary process, which may draw us ever to a clearer, more fundamental understanding of who we really are and our place in this life.

Daylight savings: With daylight savings happening all around the globe, it pays to double check your time zone conversion for each class.  If you miss a class or still can’t attend at a reasonable hour, you’ll have the class recording for 30 days.

Lastly, we have heard many of your concerns about the ease of using our website.  In response we’ve made some major technical changes to the site.  If you’ve thrown up your hands in frustration and baled on registering for a class, please visit again.  We are truly doing our best to serve you.

Namaste,

Donna