Magdala Studio

25/02/2025

🌿 New in Move and Meditate Classes: Breath Prayers! 🌿

As I enter my 3rd term of teaching Move and Meditate, I’ve received a request to introduce breathing exercises. I’ve always found it challenging to maintain a consistent breathing practice, but I also know how important it is to have a technique that helps calm the mind and body in times of anxiety or stress.

So, I’m excited to share that I’m incorporating Breath Prayers into my classes! 🙏✨

Breath prayers combine deep, intentional breathing with meditative prayers centered around sacred truths from God's word. With each slow, deep breath, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower the heart rate and calm the body. And as we pray on the in and out breath, we turn our hearts toward our loving Creator/Christ, focusing on truth and soothing the soul.

Come join me and give Breath Prayers a try—let's breathe, pray, and find peace together. 💫

04/02/2025

🌿 Magdala Studio at Parnell, Auckland.

Join the Move and Meditate classes, exclusive to Auckland and discover a peaceful moment to reconnect your body, mind, and Spirit to the Spirit of truth. ✨
These classes include CaraMayan movements—inspired by dance, Pilates, and folk traditions—with breathing "selahs" (rest pauses) to help you center and restore inner peace. You’ll learn a unique sequence of movements and breathwork, accompanied by prayerful meditations from ancient texts like the Gaelic Blessing or Psalms. 🙏
Along with gentle floor stretches to release tension and foster body awareness, leaving you feeling centered.
Whether you’re new to movement or meditation, this peaceful class is open to all.
🌿Tuesdays, 9-10am at Jubilee Hall, Parnell Community Centre
8 Weeks course starts: 11th February
$108 (Free trial class or drop-in for $15)
Come breathe, move, dance, and connect with us. 🌸
enrol at; https://villagesquare.org.nz/enrol/p/move-meditate-stretch

🌿Also, On the second Friday of every month, I will be running a Friday Dance Connect Space.
Unwind and connect through movement in a flow dance session. Mirror, explore, and dance with props like, flags and poi.
A monthly gathering space for dance movement exploration and connection.
Starting 14th February 2025. 4.30 - 6pm
a $5 koha - light refreshments included.
also held in Jubilee Hall, Parnell.

17/10/2024

Join me for a second 8 week course of Move and Meditate class at Parnell Community Centre Tuesdays 9am ! 🌟
Unique Movement meditations that help you centre and bring flow to your body, heart, mind, and spirit.

FREE trial class available. All levels are welcome!
8-week course starts Tuesday October 22 at 9am.
—reserve your spot today! 💖

find out more and enrol at;
https://villagesquare.org.nz/enrol/p/move-meditate-centre

26/09/2024

Trial term of classes was a great success, looking forward to Term 4!

06/09/2024

Dance movement is a language.

23/07/2024

Magdala Movement meditation is launching!!
Make sure to book in for next week's MOVE AND MEDITATE trial classes!
Choose from Tues 30 July 8am or 9 am
or Friday 2 Aug 4.30PM at Parnell Community Centre. 545 Parnell Road, Auckland.
email abigail@villagesquare.org.nz to secure your spot.

08/07/2024

The time is now!
Im finally launching Magdala Movement Meditation classes starting July 30. Come and join in! Have a go. Exclusive to Auckland.

Time to light up the world!

🌟 Discover peace within with our new Move and Meditate classes at Parnell Community Centre! 🌟

Join us for revitalizing sessions blending movement and meditation, designed to harmonize your body, mind, and spirit. Choose from three unique classes:

Tuesdays at 8am: Stretch
Tuesdays at 9am: Centre
Fridays at 4.30pm: Reflect

Experience CaraMayan movement meditations, infused with ancient texts like Gaelic blessings and Psalms. These sessions integrate Pilates, contemporary, folk, and classical dance, enriched with tranquil breathing pauses (selahs).

All levels are welcome to embark on this exclusive and unique 55-minute journey. Don’t miss out—secure your spot for our 8-week course starting July 30th for just $108!

Enhance your body balance and uplift your spirits. Reserve your place today and seize this unique opportunity to nourish yourself! 🌿💫

https://villagesquare.org.nz/enrol/p/move-meditate-stretch

12/10/2023

Love this quote.

I have come to understand that dance is many things, it also has resonance in the realms of space and time and in Spirit; outside space and time.
Insence from the temple.

13/09/2023

Peace is not the absence of pain, but the presence of love.
Love is in every breath.

BREATH PRAYERS
Had to re share this powerful practice that I use almost daily. Are you feeling anxious or unsettled? Why don’t you try a “breath prayer?”

A very ancient prayer practice that can bring peace to your Spirit is something called "breath prayers". It has been used for hundreds of years by the church forefathers and it is incredibly impacting.

If you’re feeling anxious this is a great way to be still and allow the presence of God and His words to fill you.

Why don’t you try a breath prayer today if you’re feeling anxious about the future or current situation?

This is the premise of how to say a breath prayer:

Sit somewhere that is quiet. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Focus on the Lord.

Then take a short scripture and simply breathe in a phrase and breathe out a different phrase. Slowly, and thoughtfully.

Here are a few ideas, taken from Christian author Sarah Bessey’s blog that you can try. Don’t try them all at once, maybe choose statement a day or even one for the week so that you can truly allow these words to embed into your spirit.

Slow down your speaking- are there any words the Lord is highlighting to you? Repeat those words.

When you finish, slowly rise, embrace the slow and the stillness as you go about your day.

(Matthew 11:28-30)
Inhale: Humble and gentle One,
Exhale: you are rest for my soul.

(From John 15)
Inhale: True Vine and Gardener,
Exhale: I abide in You.

(From Romans 8:38-39)
Inhale: Nothing can separate me,
Exhale: from the love of God.

(From Psalm 46:10)
Inhale: Be still
Exhale: and know you are God.

(From Matt. 6:10)
Inhale: On earth
Exhale: as it is in heaven.

(From 2 Cor. 12:9)
Inhale: Your grace
Exhale: is enough for me.

(From 1 John)
Inhale: There is no fear
Exhale: in your Love.

(From Psalm 23)
Inhale: I will not be afraid
Exhale: for You are with me.

When the world would want you to meditate on fear and uncertainty, mediate on His words! Immerse yourself in His voice today xx

18/08/2023

The nearest way to God
Leads through love's open door;
The path of knowledge is
Too slow for evermore.

- Angelus Silesius

(Image: Garden gate at St Non's near St Davids, West Wales)