Here is a sneak preview of an article that will appear on the Yoga Lunchbox sometime over the next couple of weeks!! Enjoy.

Are you ready to take your yoga practice/teaching to the next level?

Do you feel as if you have authentic purpose in the world, but are not sure what it is or how to activate it? 

Do you feel ready to live your life in a more meaningful and connected way? 

Are you drawn to service but don’t know where or how to begin?

Teachers, do you want to become a model and mentor to students who want to live their purpose and make a difference?

The first ever Yoga-in-Action group in New Zealand is for you!

WHAT IS IT?

Yoga in Action is a grassroots movement supported by ‘Off the Mat’, an open source organization established by three yoga teachers and social change-agents in the US: Seane Corn, Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling.

Yoga in Action groups are an opportunity to build community around yoga and service, develop relationships with other yogis and activists in your area and collaborate on creating real change.

Yoga in Action small groups allow participants to embark on a journey of self-inquiry with the support of a small group of peers that leads to action within our community and outside world.

These small groups of change in communities can then inspire collaboration and connection among our community of yoga activists.

Marianne Elliott, a yoga teacher in Wellington, is the Off the Mat leader for New Zealand. Over the past two months she has facilitated a small group of Wellington yoga teachers and others through the seven-week Yoga in Action process.

 Here’s what some of the participants had to say:

 “Marianne, I found last night’s session incredibly uplifting. Listening to all the vision statements was a highlight, but having a good laugh at the inner critic was also immensely helpful. This programme is inspiring and hopeful because it makes these beautiful visions feel completely achievable. How much better the world will be when they are realized!” Yoga in Action: Off the Mat participant Jan 2010

 “I wanted to drop you a line to tell you of the huge value I got out of [our session], and congratulate you for facilitating it with such grace, humour, care and openness. It’s a brave thing to do, to encourage others to delve into the deep stuff and yet I couldn’t feel safer or more supported within the loving space you’d created.” Yoga in Action: Off the Mat participant Jan 2010

Kelly Fisher, of Yoga Unlimited, is now joining Marianne to host a Yoga in Action group open to all yoga students and teachers in the Wellington region. They’d love you to join them.

What the Yoga in Action group process offers to yoga students:

• Self Awareness: Helps clarify important questions: what is it about your life experience that shapes who you are? How can you effectively serve from this place? What is that that you are passionate about? What is your unique purpose and vision? What arises from the stillness within?
• Community Support: awaken a clearer connection to yourself so that you can realize and leverage your connection to others and the important resources and support they can bring. This not only makes you effective in service but sustainable.
• Creative activation: understanding that being of service is about action and intention.  Yoga in Action provides the tools to realize and activate your purpose and develop a real plan for action that is both balanced and effective

Yoga in Action uses the power of yoga to guide through a process of self-inquiry to awaken your purpose and put it into action.  Through this journey, you will develop the awareness and the courage to invite change into your life so that you can awaken your authentic voice and align with your purpose.  Through collaboration and resources, this process will help you catalyze change and turn your intention into action.

Please get in touch with us if you would like to know more (see our email addresses at the bottom of this article).

You can register for the next course that’s being offered by emailing info@yogaunlimited.co.nz or calling +64 4 384 4329.

If you are a yoga teacher and would like to know more about how the process could help you, please get in touch. If there is interest we may host another Yoga in Action group for yoga teachers. 

If you don’t live in Wellington but would like us to come and offer YIA to your group, please get in touch with us via the above contact details.

Article written by Marianne Elliott

You must be the change you want to see in the world.  ~Ghandi

We are so excited to offer the VERY FIRST Off the Mat, Into the World programme for yoga students in the whole of New Zealand!

 Be part of it – starting April 11. Spaces are limited so register soon!

One of the things that has been on my mind an awful lot lately is what I want to be when I grow up and how I can be of service to the world. How can I, as one tiny part of the massive population on earth, make a difference to my community and the world at large? What skills do I have to offer and what do I like to do? And how do I figure that out?

Since mid-January, I have been fortunate enough to be part of a Wellington pilot programme of the worldwide Off the Mat (OTM) initiative. This programme is meant to help yogis to figure out how to be of service to the world using the innate talents and gifts that have been uncovered or accentuated by their yoga practice.

The process has been an interesting one for me. In the capable hands of our amazing facilitator, Marianne Elliott, we have been exploring that which is meaningful to us, things that help us stay centered, our talents and abilities and our vision for our lives. There are still a couple of weeks to go and I’m keen to see how we tie all of that together for the group project we will do.

One part of the process so far that was particularly confronting for me was the assignment to watch “The Story of Stuff”.  This wee film explores how our “stuff” is manufactured, distributed and eventually, disposed of. It’s quite jaw-dropping to realise just how rampant consumerism is and what a massive toll it takes on the planet and the people of the planet.

After watching it, I felt really discouraged and overwhelmed. I wondered how I could make any appreciable difference given the pervasive nature of the disconnection from Source, from Self, from nature and the level of oraganised corruption that exists.

Then I remembered that it was not so long ago that I was every bit as disconnected as the people who continue to contribute to the “problems”. I thought nature was best viewed on TV and had no concept of the how precious our natural resources really are. The thing that made me wake up, to remember myself and to appreciate the planet was the practice of yoga (and eventually meditation).

So I’ve decided that my activism, the way that I know that I can change the world is to teach yoga. If even a handful of my students remember themselves the way that I did, they too will be moved to contribute positively to the world. And so on.

Every class I offer is intended to help the beautiful people who choose to spend that time with me to connect with themselves in such a way that they remember their innate goodness. When we as humans remember our light, we can celebrate together, enjoying our lives and enriching the lives of the people around us. We all become activists in an authentic way as we express our talents and our gifts confidently.

Yes, I know it seems that I had already figured that out given my current job and the fact that I had started a yoga studio. But it’s been quite powerful for me to shift my view ever so slightly to realise that concious activism doesn’t have to be hard. If you align with your true nature and your skill set, service can be easy and enjoyable.

If you’re keen to figure out how you can take your yogic values “off the mat, into the world”, stay tuned. The pilot programme of OTM is almost finished and there is a very good chance that the first public offering of this amazing course will happen as early as late March!

~Kelly Fisher

As someone who has managed to turn her passion into her day job, I consider myself to be a very lucky girl indeed. There is no greater joy for me than to be able to share yoga with the amazing beings that cross my path on a daily basis. I learn from every student who honours me with his or her presence in the yoga room. As an offering back to those people (you guys!!), I feel it’s important to keep my knowledge growing and evolving. I’ve studied a variety of yoga styles and theories. I’ve found that every school of thought imparts something valuable that I can integrate into my toolkit. In this way, I am better able to serve the students that I meet.

One style in particular though, repeatedly offers me an unsurpassed wealth of fascinating insights, deeply encouraging teachings and opens all sorts of new doors to possibility as a teacher, a student and a human being.Over the past three years, teachers from the Anusara style of yoga have been making their way to NZ to offer workshops and immersions. I have been fortunate enough to have attended at least one of these workshops per year and have even travelled to LA to study more Anusara yoga.

In an overall tradition that goes back thousands of years, Anusara Yoga is a relatively new kid on the block. It combines many threads of ancient wisdom in a very modern way into a school of thought that I find incredibly intelligent yet also deeply nurturing. Each Anusara workshop has offered me new perspectives on fundamental alignment principles and given me a better appreciation of the founding yogic philosophies. They have also made me feel alive, encouraged and amazingly vibrant.

A couple of weeks back, I went to Christchurch to study with a teacher from Arizona called BJ Galvan. BJ embodies the life-affirming viewpoint encouraged in the Anusara lineage. The five days I spent learning from her and the 19 other beautiful people who came along to the immersion were nourishing and exciting. A perfect start to 2010! Many thanks to the wonderful Katie Lane of Christchurch for her flawless organisation of this event.

In the coming months, Lynda and I will be investigating the possibility of bringing an Anusara teacher to Wellington so that you guys can share the fun. In the meantime, I have brought back all kinds of little tidbits for those in the Yoga Unlimited community to play with!

~Kelly Fisher

My intention for the holidays had been to reflect on the year that was and to find a sense of direction for 2010. I had imagined a time of quiet practice, a few days of lounging about to let my body recuperate from a very busy end of year, and then finding some inspiration so that I could start the New Year with a hiss and a roar.

I should have known better than to plan too much, because as you may have guessed already, that’s not quite how it all panned out.

To celebrate the completion of our children’s secondary school years, we had booked a family holiday in Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. We did depart as planned, and arrived in a very warm, very wet, grey Noosa in the late afternoon, and settled into our accommodation.

The next morning we received a message to say that my father in law was in hospital, and that he was not likely to be going home again. He was at the tail end of a long and painful battle with cancer, and it seemed he was ready to give up the fight. After numerous conversations with family at home it was decided that we should stay and complete the holiday, and that we would be able to visit him when we arrived home.

Needless to say, the flavour of the holiday changed considerably. Instead of relaxing and forgetting about all our obligations for a few days, we were in constant contact with family, and we were bracing ourselves for what awaited us upon our return.

We did enjoy a few relaxing sunny days, saw some beautiful scenery, and swam in some lovely warm water. I also found the perfect spot for my morning practice, on the balcony of our apartment, overlooking the river. Still, the thoughts of home were never far away.

When a loved one is near death, we may reflect on our relationship with them, and if we are lucky, have a chance to connect in a meaningful way before they die. It can also make us more aware of the relationships we have with the rest of our families, and remind us once again of the transitory nature of everything. That can be a powerful motivator for resolving or letting go of personal issues, and finding some perspective about what really matters.

I am very pleased to say that my husband had the opportunity to spend some time really connecting with his dad after we came back from our holiday. Focusing on all the positive childhood memories he had of his dad was a healing process for them both. Together with his brothers and sisters, he was able to help his father to let go.

We are slowly getting back into the rhythm of our lives, after the upheaval of the last few weeks. I arrived back for my first session in front of the class for 2010 without any fresh or exciting new ideas about what we might explore. Instead, I found myself gratefully stepping back into the familiar pattern of practising and teaching yoga. Breathing in and breathing out. I am so grateful for this rhythm, because the simplicity of it grounds me, giving me the stamina and resilience to respond to life as it unfolds. I truly don’t know where I’d be without it.

My sankalpa for the year still hasn’t revealed itself to me fully, but one thing is clear: just getting on the mat can often be enough.

Namaste.

~ Lynda Miers-Henneveld.

We are soooo lucky here in the Wellington yoga community. We are surrounded by inspiring, aware, amazing people. Having been back in Welly less than a week after my wee holiday, I am filled with gratitude for the beautiful people that are in my life and in our community.

One of those people is Kara-Leah Grant who is, at this very moment, 9 months pregnant with her first child. She is a student, friend, teacher and so much more. I thought you might enjoy reading her latest blog post Five things I learned in 2009 from my yoga and meditation practice as you consider the year that’s been and embark on the one ahead.

Namaste,

K

Happy New Year – Happy New Decade!!

We hope you’ve had an amazing holiday and that you’re ready to get back into yoga with us! We start back into it Monday, January 11. The sauna will be open then and the massage therapists will be waiting to soothe any muscles that have had a little too much fun! Our first class will be Monday night from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Book in now or just come along!

We’ve got lots of courses and events planned for the first part of this year – check them out using the Courses and Events dropdown at the top of the screen!

Namaste!

K&L

In addition to the short heart opening practice to help you with your home practice while we’re closed for a couple of weeks, we’re pleased to offer you a recording of the last express class of 2009.

In this class I focused on core strengthening poses and cleansing postures/techniques. Over the holidays you’ll be having lots of fun – spending time with family and friends, enjoying summer activities and eating and drinking lots of lovely things! This yoga practice can help you make the most of your summer by giving you the space and time to digest all of the things you’ve taken in. Your practice will allow you the opportunity to fully absorb the information, experiences and nutrition you’ve enjoyed and you’ll also be able to release any negative emotions and the discomforts of excess.

Download the full 56 minute MP3 of the class!

Please note that some bits of the recording are a little crackly. We figure it’s because when I lower my voice, the mic struggles to pick it up. Thanks for bearing with me while I’m still learning about recording myself!

Enjoy your home practice! We look forward to seeing you again in 2010.

Namaste,

K

Summer’s here – and that means Yoga Unlimited is closed for a couple of weeks. To help you keep up your practice at home, I’ve put together a 30 minute practice for you to play with! You can either follow along with the text version of the practice or use the MP3 to guide you through the practice.

Have fun and add your own variations! If you have any questions, please email me at Kelly@yogaunlimited.co.nz.

Download the full 30 minute MP3 of the practice!

Download the text version of the practice.

Kelly Fisher

The fourth chakra is called Anahata, which means ‘unstruck’ or ‘unhurt’. This chakra governs our emotions. It is here that we begin to transcend any limiting self-beliefs, find self -acceptance, and learn to love unconditionally.

Within the chakra system, Anahata is situated right in the middle, between the three lower chakras and the three higher chakras. The colour most commonly associated with this chakra is green. The symbol, or yantra, which represents Anahata is a six pointed star that is made up of two interlaced triangles. The upright triangle is said to be a symbol of Shiva, or consciousness, while the inverted triangle represents Shakti, or creativity. These two forces are united at the heart centre, where we begin to move from embodiment to enlightenment. We can think of the energy that is rising up from the earth uniting here with the energy that is coming down from the heavens, creating a sense of balance and connection, which allows us to embrace the universal laws that govern our lives.

In the human body Anahata chakra is located behind the physical heart, and as such has influence over the heart and lungs, and affects the respiratory and immune systems. The ribcage, chest, upper back, shoulders, arms and hands all form part of the physical aspect of Anahata chakra. In order to create balance for this area, we can work with postures that build strength and flexibility in the upper torso and limbs. Backbends are often emphasised in heart opening practices, because they have the effect of stimulating the flow of creative energy at the heart centre. It is important to balance the backbends with gentle forward bends and twists however, so that this energy can permeate the whole upper body, leaving you feeling energised, but also relaxed at the end of your practice.

The element associated with Anahata is air.  It is said that air carries your emotions, thereby determining what and how we feel. Working with this element requires a certain amount of subtlety. Various pranayama practices can energise or calm the nervous system due to the ways in which they affect the movement of prana through the subtle energy channels, or nadis. The respiratory system can be strengthened and cleansed with regular pranayama practice.

In meditation we can strengthen the energy at Anahata chakra by focusing on the positive qualities the heart possesses.  We can increase our capacity for kindness, compassion, equanimity and joy simply by focusing on them. The key to creating balance is to practice being kind and compassionate towards ourselves, as well as others. Gratitude is a wonderful healer for the heart. Practice expressing gratitude to yourself and others for any act of kindness or compassion, no matter how small, to notice the effect this has on how you feel.

‘An open heart feels compassion and empathy for both self and others. It understands the tender nature of spirit, the delightful joy of connection, and the deep peace of acceptance. The heart’s task is to find balance in relationship in all aspects: mind and body, self and other, light and shadow, masculine and feminine, inner and outer realms. The result of this balance is peace.’ ~ Anodea Judith.

If you’d like to find out more about the chakra system, we recommend the following resources:  The Chakra Balancing Kit (Book plus CDs) – by Anodea Judith, Chakra Yoga (Book plus CD) – by Alan Finger, and Chakra Theory and Meditation (DVD) – by Paul Grilley.

Lynda Miers-Henneveld