NZ Yoga Centre – AOTEAROA

Sadhana Yoga in Miramar, Wellington is presenting a special free event: The Seven Dimensions of Yogic Being. This special gathering coincides with a triangulation of three important events:  1) Matariki – the Māori New Year – celebrating the rise of Pleiades in the dawn skies on June 19^th; 2) Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year, celebrating the return of the sun from the Northern Hemisphere and the lengthening of the days (June 21^st); 3) the UN’s very first International Yoga Day (June 21^st 2015), which celebrates sādhana, the spiritual practice of yoga.

This unique timing offers each of us the chance to realise our extraordinary potential as self-aware yoga practitioners in Aotearoa.

Join us for a special teaching and empowerment meditation.

For more info contact Ali: sadhanayoganz@gmail.com

Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. “Yoga” also refers to an inner science comprising of a variety of methods through which human beings can achieve union between the body and mind to attain self-realisation. The aim of Yoga practice (sādhana) is to overcome all kinds of suffering that lead to a sense of  freedom in every walk of life with holistic health, happiness and harmony.   — United Nations International Day of Yoga — quote by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)

Join us for the opportunity to fully awaken body and consciousness…

This year in New Zealand, the very first International Day of Yoga – Sunday 21st June – coincides with Midwinter Solstice and Matariki. To celebrate this fusion of Yoga and multi-dimensional mindfulness, Ali at Sadhana Yoga is offering a free event: ‘Empowerment Meditation’, Harmonising the 7 dimensions of being.’

activate your present awareness … reinvigorate your life purpose … review past resolutions … realise your potential … manifest optimal futures … deepen your yogic awareness …

To get a personal invite to this event email Ali at sadhanayoganz@gmail.com

THIS IS A FREE EVENT: All you need to bring is an enquiring mind and something comfortable to sit on (cushion/ foldout chair). Optionally, if you want to share light and inspiration, bring a beeswax or soya candle.

By Ali Hale Tilley ©  

1. Yoga allows time for self-focus and meditation (… aerobics is all about action and exertion)
2. Yoga Studios often have a tranquil ambience and are free of distractions (… aerobics studios play dance music at between 120 and 135 BPM and are often part of noisy Gyms)
3. Yoga gives you 1:1 time to realign your body and mind (… aerobics teachers bark instructions through a head mic and tell you to feel the burn!)
4. Yoga involves gentle stretching (… aerobic involves ballistic exercise)
5. Yoga incorporates different breath techniques (… aerobics only has one breath technique i.e. panting)
6. Yoga works on inner strength (…aerobics focuses on cardio-vascular and core strength)
7. Yoga gives you time to stop and let it all go (…aerobics makes you keep on going even when your body tells you to stop)
8. Yoga promotes a feeling of mindfulness (… aerobics is a fitness intensive)
9. Yoga has a bicultural relationship with hauora – Te Whare Tapa Wha – the Māori philosophy of health and well-being (aerobics only covers physical health i.e. Te Taha Tinana
10. Yoga promotes feeling centred and grounded (…aerobics promotes getting you up off the ground in Fitness Centres)
11. Yoga is a healing art ( … aerobics is a high energy fitness workout)
12. Yoga is a way of life ( … aerobics is a type of group fitness)
13. Yoga is more gentle than dance and ballet ( … aerobics expends a similar energy output to dance and ballet)
14. Yoga has teaching lineages – like T Krishnamacharya (Yoga has teaching trends like Taibo)
15. Yoga’s mantra is ‘namaste’ (aerobic’s mantra is “no pain no gain”)
16. Yoga includes a spiritual practice (… aerobics includes high impact practice)
17. Yoga can help rehabilitate injuries (… aerobics has a high risk of causing injuries)
18. Yoga is a holistic health practice ( … aerobics is not holistic, but specific)
19. Yoga balances mind-body-breath (… aerobics is about getting up a sweat)
20. Yoga has its cultural roots in India (… aerobics has its cultural roots in America)

I have presented these 20 differences between Yoga and Aerobics because tomorrow I will start working on my ACC Application for Review, to appeal against Yoga being classified by ACC as medium to high risk ‘Sports and Recreation Instruction’ (like aerobics).

Although I will be preparing this application single-handed, other yoga teachers and students have had their say about what they think Yoga is via my online petition, as well as in open forums during class.

Everyone who does yoga agrees that ‘yoga is not a sport!’

Today the amazing Terese McLeod hosted the most magical and breath-taking day on Matiu Somes Island.

Every part of the day was seamlessly organised, from our parking to our transport by the good humoured staff who run the Dominion Post Ferry, leaving from Queens Wharf.

We arrived on the Island, and were shown around and treated like VIPS.

The table was splendidly set and the food was outstanding – ‘Organic Island Bounty’.  The organic soup made from the island’s vege garden by Island staff and it was completely wholesome and  delicious.

After lunch, we were given a special tour of the island. The DOC conservation programme and management of the natural animal and plant inhabitants is excellent.

We got to hold a beautiful giant weta, we also feed the sheep. We saw plenty of kakariki and fantails flying around the native bush, and everything was in perfect harmony.

Luckily too, the weather was warm, still and perfect.

It was the most amazing time thanks to Terese and her inspired invitation

A challenge is a journey that takes you outside your comfort zone, and tests the individual’s courage and determination. On the journey, we all felt radiant and jubilant at the peaks, and defiant and weary and in the troughs. Yet every test of our resolve brought us closer to our personal truth. Not only did the challenge set new standards of yogic conduct, it also helped us explore the power of shared purpose.               Ali Hale Tilley

Last night we finished our 40 Day Challenge sharing gifts, dispensing prizes, and enjoying good company of our inner circle of participants.

Special thanks to Jess and Mat from Haylo Skin and Beauty for supplying gift vouchers for First Prize winner – Terese, and Second Prize winner Maree.  http://www.haylo.co.nz/

Special thanks too to everyone who brought gifts: Terese – SAS Port, Maree – home produce plum brandy, Andy – patchouli oils, Simone – India temple incense, Sarah – organic cheese, Annabelle for organic kiwifruit, Lillian gourmet tea and special matches (for the teacher), and Ali handwritten letters for everyone in the group.

It was a wonderful journey.

Meet some of our yogi superstars who took part in the Sadhana Yoga 40 Day Challenge:

  Yogini Annabelle was the original inspiration, asking Ali to run a 40 Day Challenge in the first place …

Yogini Ali was the staunch ringleader

Yogin Andy … famous for saying “its only 40 days so I want to make a 100% effort!”

  Yogini Maree … the golden light of splendid insights and culinary talents

 Yogini Sarah … fresh, easy-going, breezy

 Yogini Simone, sweet as sattvic pie, super talented artisan

 Yogini Terese, kaitiaki of Matiu/Somes Island, interstellar explorer

Haylo Skin and Beauty, Challenge sponsors

More Challenge participants will be added as photos roll in….

At the beginning of the Challenge people generally feared:

accidentally failing, binge drinking coffee and alcohol, staying on the strict vegetarian diet, getting enough nutrients, falling ‘off the wagon’, being hungry and craving forbidden food, managing the fast days, and doing yoga every day.

These fears played out as the days and weeks rolled on. Nonetheless, everyone experienced a much deeper level of awareness with their yoga practice and habitual behaviours.

Overall the Challenge was a great success and deep friendships were forged as a result.

Ali reports: The Challenge is coming to a natural conclusion with only two days to go! Fortunately, Wednesday night also coincides with the Antares full moon (http://stardate.org/nightsky). This winter nightscape provides the perfect cosmic ending for our 40 Day Challenge.

On the one hand we can welcome back more personal freedom to make choices around diet and domestic behaviour. Yet, on the other hand, we will loosen the support and solidarity of belonging to a tight-knit  group of resolute yogis.

Our gentle candlelit class on Wednesday 7.30pm, with additional meditation and prize-draw, will formally bring the 40 Day Challenge to an end. Hopefully the group’s collective energy will help ripen the fruits of our yogic commitment.

The special 15 minute meditation led by Ali will allow us to contemplate what new yogic behaviours will be kept, what old conducts be returned to, and what habitual patterns will be released. We will also contemplate what it takes to be a real sattvic yogi living in a modern world. Challenge participants are welcome to bring something that can be shared within the group, thereby ceremonially closing off the Challenge.

Today’s report …

Fighting off an unexpected cold (using about 30 tissues!), I went for lunch with a friend today at a lovely Japanese café called Origami on Cuba Street. The beetroot butterfly (pictured above) enhanced the great food presentation. After lunch we carried on to the City gallery. The outstanding photographic portraits of Mongrel Mob members by Jono Rotman  were, for me, the most striking pieces in the gallery. http://citygallery.org.nz/exhibitions/jono-rotman-mongrel-mob-portraits

Tonight I was blessed with tasty food offerings by a student who understands that feeding a sadhu is a very noble practice indeed. I count my many blessings!