Breathe Aotearoa

Breathe Aotearoa Breath-based, accessible hatha yoga for managing/reducing stress, increasing joy, and increasing strength/flexibility. Private sessions - by request.

Hatha Yoga and breath and relaxation - Heathcote, small group class, Tuesday 6-7.30pm - please contact Breeze to discuss your needs and to book first please! Becoming intimate with your breath, guiding the mind to follow the breath, the dance of inbreath to outbreath, the rhythm of nature, moving to feel good, connecting into our body and physical energy, celebrating life and releasing tension.

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I have studied with Yoga Teachers including Christine Villiers in Melbourne (Shanti Yoga), Satyananda Yoga, Donna Farhi, and Mark Withwell (Yoga of Heart). These lineages all share a commitment to traditional Yoga, to the power of the breath, to increased awareness. My teacher training was with IYTA and continues with ongoing explorations. My background is in contemporary dance and writing. I've lived a lot; I work in an office and I'm a mum. I feel strongly that Yoga is not about striving for perfect postures or pushing into pain, which can compromise the body, add tension and even lead to injury. "You don't have to touch your toes to touch your heart," Shanti Gowans.

Weaving traditional yoga principles into classes is not easy but it is essential for an authentic practice that nourishe...
07/02/2026

Weaving traditional yoga principles into classes is not easy but it is essential for an authentic practice that nourishes mind, body and soul.

After all, traditional yoga has eight limbs and just one of these is asana.

Here is what I weave into my classes:

Pranayama - breathing practices - at the start of class to calm the nervous system and help students bring their awareness to their practice and at the end of class to further relax and find inner balance.

Yama/niyama - one of these is a theme for each block of classes. I introduce the principle and apply it to the yoga practice.

Chakras - actually not one of the limbs of yoga, but I work through the chakras to help students embrace the totality of their being.

Pratyhara - withdrawal of the senses happens in Yoga Nidra, which is a relaxation (actually rejuvenation) practice from the Satyananda tradition (not to be confused with iYoga Nidra).

Dharana - single point of concentration - during held poses we focus the mind on the breath awareness and /or sensations in the body, being very present to our practice and the present moment. After pranayama, we often sit quietly and notice the breath.

Dhyana - being in a state of meditation - this may arise during the practice.

Asana - this year I'm using theme of a peak pose per block, but I have a quite ambitious agenda of bringing balance, strength and flexibility to every class - always bending the spine forwards, backwards, sideways and into twists, whole body strengthening and especially glutes and quads, flows, held poses to ease into deeper stretching and lots of mobility focus. Yin, power, vinyasa - it's all incorporated.

Samadhi - the bliss state - well, we always feel much better after yoga!

31 January - Svasana / co**se pose🙏After bending, twisting, breathing and focusing, we finally come to Svasana, where we...
31/01/2026

31 January - Svasana / co**se pose🙏

After bending, twisting, breathing and focusing, we finally come to Svasana, where we can lie back on our mat and fully, utterly relax. Let gravity help you and sink into stillness.

HOW TO DO IT: Traditionally, lie on your back with arms and legs slightly splayed, palms up. Feel the floor under you and the earth supporting your weight. Let go. Be heavy. Be still. Give up trying to do and come to a state of being, existing and being breathed.

PRACTICE NOTE: You are welcome to make yourself more comfortable with a bolster under the knees or a cushion under the head, or a rolled up towel under the neck. Hopefully, you will be here for some time, so make sure you're warm. Removing glasses and any tight clothing can also help.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

30 January - Chakki Chalanasana / Churning the Mill🙏My personal favourite, you're engaging a variety of abdominals, and ...
29/01/2026

30 January - Chakki Chalanasana / Churning the Mill🙏

My personal favourite, you're engaging a variety of abdominals, and stretching the back of the body and hamstrings.

HOW TO DO IT: Sit in dandasana and clasp the hands with the arms out in front. Make a wide circle with the straight arms, to the side, forward, the the other side and back - tuck under as you ease back.

PRACTICE NOTE: A great all-body warmup but be gentle on your hamstrings. Tucking under as you go back (like a cat shape) will protect your lower back. Only go as far as you can manage.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

29 January - Tiryaka Tadasana / swaying palm tree pose🙏HOW TO DO IT: From tadasana, relax. Breathe in and raise the arms...
29/01/2026

29 January - Tiryaka Tadasana / swaying palm tree pose🙏

HOW TO DO IT: From tadasana, relax. Breathe in and raise the arms overhead, hands clasped. Breathe out and bend to the right, inhale and return to the centre, exhale and bend, you guessed it, left, return to centre - this is one round.

Complete 8-10 rounds.

PRACTICE NOTE: Be aware of not bending forward or backwards, just sideways

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

28 January - Kashtha Takshanasana🙏Chop through your frustrations with this class favourite. HOW TO DO IT: From tadasana,...
28/01/2026

28 January - Kashtha Takshanasana🙏

Chop through your frustrations with this class favourite.

HOW TO DO IT: From tadasana, relax. Breathe in and raise the arms overhead, hands clasped. Breathe out and bend the knees to squat down while swinging the arms down and making a big exhale through the mouth ha!

PRACTICE NOTE: Do as many as you need to.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

27 January - Skanda Chakra / elbow rotation🙏Take it on its own or add other aspects of our regular shoulder sequence. HO...
26/01/2026

27 January - Skanda Chakra / elbow rotation🙏

Take it on its own or add other aspects of our regular shoulder sequence.

HOW TO DO IT:
Sitting cross legged or on a chair, take your fingers to shoulders and circle your elbows - relax and breathe - for 10 rounds, then reverse and go the other way for 10 rounds

PRACTICE NOTE: Add shoulder circles and arm circles

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

26 January - Simhagarjanasana / Lion🙏Release tension from the chest and diaphragm with this fierce asana. HOW TO DO IT: ...
25/01/2026

26 January - Simhagarjanasana / Lion🙏

Release tension from the chest and diaphragm with this fierce asana.

HOW TO DO IT:
Kneel with knees wide and place the hands on the floor with fingers facing backwards if possible. As you exhale extend the tongue and look at the eyebrow centre with a long 'ahhhh', leaning forward on the hands. Inhale and relax; repeat at least 3 times. 5 -10 rounds are optimal.

PRACTICE NOTE: Be as fierce as possible! Stretch your mouth wide, extend the tongue right out and focus on the eyebrow centre.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

25 January - Buddha Konasana / butterfly🙏Wake up your inner spine then treat the back of the hips to a deep stretch. HOW...
23/01/2026

25 January - Buddha Konasana / butterfly🙏

Wake up your inner spine then treat the back of the hips to a deep stretch.

HOW TO DO IT:
Sit with a straight spine with the soles of your together and relax your knees out to the side. Gently bounce the knees 20 times.

PRACTICE NOTE: following this practice relax forward to stretch your spine and hips.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

24 January - Pada Sanchalanasana / cycling🙏Loosen the hips and activate the core. HOW TO DO IT: Relax on your back. Hug ...
23/01/2026

24 January - Pada Sanchalanasana / cycling🙏

Loosen the hips and activate the core.

HOW TO DO IT:
Relax on your back. Hug your knees to your chest, then release the arms to the side and extend one leg up, move the legs in a cycling motion.

PRACTICE NOTE: keep the knees bent for a moderate practice or extend the legs straighter for more challenge.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

Jan 23 - Parighasana / gate🙏 HOW TO DO IT: Begin in a kneeling position and extend one leg out to the side. Reach your a...
23/01/2026

Jan 23 - Parighasana / gate🙏

HOW TO DO IT:
Begin in a kneeling position and extend one leg out to the side. Reach your arms overhead and then extend your arms to the side toward your extended leg. Allow your bottom hand to rest softly on your extended leg while you extend through the opposite side. Breathe and extend your spine as you ease into this lovely side stretch.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.
Omshanti.

22 January - Supta Padangushthasana A / hand to big toe pose stretch🙏Technically a preparation for hand to big toe pose ...
20/01/2026

22 January - Supta Padangushthasana A / hand to big toe pose stretch🙏

Technically a preparation for hand to big toe pose with the torso relaxed down.

HOW TO DO IT:
Resting on your back, bend your right leg and extend the leg up in the air, holding the right toes or with a strap around the right foot.

PRACTICE NOTE: relax your shoulders back if you are using a strap. Add isometric or resistance stretching.

Warm up with whole body movements such as warrior I and II or forward folds.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.
Omshanti.

21 January - straw breath🙏We often start class with straw breath to help us transition from our busy days on to the yoga...
20/01/2026

21 January - straw breath🙏

We often start class with straw breath to help us transition from our busy days on to the yoga mat. This beautifully simple breath practice helps to soothe the mind and body by activating the parasympathetic 'rest and digest' nervous system. (Almost) instant calm at any time - use especially when you feel upset or angry!

HOW TO DO IT:
Sitting in any position with an upright spine, relax. Soften through the shoulders and neck. Connect with the earth beneath you.

Breathe in gently through the nose and breathe out through relaxed, pursed lips - like you are gently holding a straw in your mouth. 10 rounds, slowing the exhale naturally without any strain.

PRACTICE NOTE: Gradually lengthen the exhale, without strain. Go with your breath and where it's at today. Some days a longer breath is available, some days not so much. Practice this regularly.

Follow this practice with 5 - 10 minutes of meditation. Simply follow the sensation of the breath at the nostrils. cool air flowing in, warm air flowing out.

TAKE CARE: This challenge is intended for people who have some experience of practising yoga. If you are a beginner, please find a yoga class to build your foundations before practising on your own. If you have any health issues, please see your doctor before practising yoga.

Omshanti.

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Heathcote Valley Community Centre, 45 Bridle Path Road
Christchurch
8023

Opening Hours

6pm - 7:30pm

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My Story

Becoming intimate with your breath, guiding the mind to follow the breath, the dance of inbreath to outbreath, the rhythm of nature, moving to feel good, connecting into our body and physical energy, celebrating life and releasing tension. #stress_relief' #mindfulness #hatha_yoga #breathing I have studied with Yoga Teachers including Christine Villiers in Melbourne (Shanti Yoga), Satyananda Yoga, Donna Farhi, and Mark Withwell (Yoga of Heart). These lineages all share a commitment to traditional Yoga, to the power of the breath, and to awareness. My teacher training was with IYTA and continues with ongoing explorations, workshops and research. I am so curious about the potential of yoga as an antidote to the busyness and stress of modern life. I’m drawn to yoga nidra, trauma sensitive yoga and yoga for seniors - this is where yoga will just be recognised to be so valuable for helping people to accept, heal, expand and live. Everyone has their own yoga, the one that works for them.

Yoga is not about striving for perfect postures or pushing into pain, which can compromise the body, add tension and lead to injury. Yoga is for healing and expanding by working with the body you have now and loving the life you have now. "You don't have to touch your toes to touch your heart," Shanti Gowans.

I do my yoga every day. Every yoga teacher should be turning to their own practice every day.