Highlights

• Christmas Gift Ideas
• Holiday times
• Trail of (Christmas) lights
• Chair yoga update

Christmas Gift Ideas

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been putting together a few gift items for Christmas.

I haven’t had a chance to add some of these to the online shop, yet. But you can purchase them when you come to class. Or, you can send me an email.

• KoAlign Yoga Mat – $95 (using coupon code 10OFFSTUDIO)
• MoveActive Yoga Socks – $17 to $18
• Crystal Facial Massage Roller – $40 to $45
• Himalayan Salt Lamp – $35
• Crystal Luna Mobile – $59
• Lavender Eye Pillows – $25
• Koa Essential Oil Perfume – $30
• Aromatology Lip Balm – $22
• Libertine Tea – $15

Holiday Times

Last class of 2018 is this Saturday, 22nd of December.

Yoga classes will start again on Thursday 10th of January. (I’ll put a reminder on the website.)

While I’m away, I’ll post videos for members to continue practicing during the holidays.

At the end of the Friday morning class, we’re going for a “Christmas Coffee” at Marina Espresso. You’re welcome to join us.

Trail of (Christmas) Lights

When I lived in Canada, I used to love walking around the streets, during Christmas. They really go all-out with their lights and decorations. So much fun!

So, I’m looking forward to driving around Whitby, checking out the Trail of Lights.

For the map trail, click here:

=> Trail of Christmas Lights

Chair Yoga Update

Chair Yoga will no longer be held at the Boat Club.

The reason is, I get many requests from people wanting to participate. But, the access is a little difficult for people who struggle with their mobility.

I am looking for a venue to hold the chair yoga classes for 2019.

I’ll send an email, early next year, with an update.

Seasons Greetings

It’s a been wonderful year, getting to know many of you. Thanks for being part of my journey.

If I don’t see you before Christmas, have an awesome time with your friends and family!

Happy Christmas,
Lauren

The post Yoga Collective Christmas Newsletter appeared first on Yoga Collective Paremata.

Highlights…

• Introducing our new yoga teachers
• Cold & Flu tonic recipe
• Get audio & ebooks for FREE
• Timetable changes
• Membership price increase
• Thought for the Week

Introducing Our New Yoga Teachers

It’s been exciting to see Yoga Collective grow & evolve over the past year.

We now offer 11 yoga classes, with different styles. And, we’ll be adding more, in the next few months.

To help sustain the workload, I’m bringing in talented yoga teachers to teach some of the classes.

Stana Billot
Stana is a lovely and well trained yoga instructor. Her style of teaching is very similar to my own.

She will be teaching Thursday nights: 6:15pm Calm & 7:30pm Revitalise classes.

Abbe Holmes
Abbe and I did our teacher training together. She has a very similar philosophy to my own – gentle movements, where nothing is forced, teaching the body to self-heal.

Abbe will be teaching the Chair Yoga class, on Mondays, at 11am.

Julia Watkin
Julia is trained in Mindfulness, and is teaching Mindfulness & Yoga at Ngatitoa School.

She is very calm and patient, and a PERFECT kids yoga teacher!

Julia teaches Kids Yoga, every Tuesday at 3:30pm.

When you meet these lovely ladies, please give them a warm welcome 🙂

Cold & Flu Tonic Recipe

Last week, I felt the onset of a dreaded cold.

My throat was sore, voice ‘croaky’, along with other symptoms.

Knowing that I had to teach the next day, I seriously didn’t want to be laid low – especially after losing my voice for an entire week, this time last year!

So, I got the idea for the following recipe, from my Mother-in-law:

By the next day, my cold was almost completely gone.

And, although the garlic smell was pretty strong, it actually tasted quite pleasant.

So, if you feel a cold coming on, try drinking a small cup of this tonic, every couple of hours. Aim to get through the entire jug, by the end of your day.

Add the following to a jug:

• 1/2 cup of lemon juice
• 1/4 cup of honey (if you can get it, Manuka Honey is best)
• 1 to 2 Tbsp of freshly grated ginger
• 3 or 4 cloves of diced garlic
• 3 cups of boiling water

Finally, you can either:

1. Stir until the honey dissolves, allowiing everything to steep. Then, pour the mixture through a strainer. Or,
2. Process the mixture in a kitchen whizz, for a few seconds, to break up the bits of garlic and ginger.

Let me know how this works for you.

Listen to Awesome Audio Books (& Get eBooks) for FREE

If you’re anything like me, with lots going on in your life, it can be difficult to find enough time to read books.

But, since discovering audio books at the public library, I can listen to books whenever and wherever I am..

I listen to novels, do ongoing research for yoga & wellness, and even get stories for my kids to listen to as they doze off to sleep at night..

The best part is you can do this for FREE.

All you need is a local library card and a smart phone (or tablet), to play the audio books.

Here’s instructions for accessing your local library’s audio book collection, via an application called Libby.

I’m really grateful for this amazing service, and I hope you get good use from it too.

Yoga Class Timetable Changes

We recently added Chair Yoga, on Mondays, at 11am.

I’m also replacing Beginners Yoga, on Tuesdays at 6:15pm, with Chair Yoga.

Chair Yoga is not just for those with mobility issues, either – it’s also good for anyone who wants a gentle, yet effective workout, using the support of a chair.

Finally, I’m changing the name of Energise Yoga to Revitalise Yoga.

Note: ALL classes are suitable for all levels, including beginners.

Here’s the latest timetable, effective from Monday next week:

Membership Price Increase (for New Members)

When I first introduced the membership, $87 was the introductory offer.

Now that we’ve added several more classes, it’s time to increase the price to $100 per month – which is still great, because you only need to come to a little over 5 classes each month, to get real value.

Note – those of you who are already members will stay on the current rate.

If you’re thinking about the membership, you have until next Monday, 3rd of September, to lock in the old price of $87, before if goes up.

Thought for the Week

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on”

– Havelock Ellis

Have an beautiful week ahead.

Cheers,
Lauren

P.S. – Invite your friends for a Free Week of Yoga, and receive some cool rewards yogacollective.nz/rewards 

The post Yoga Collective Newsletter #2 appeared first on Yoga Collective Paremata.

So, I thought I’d turn this into a newsletter-style post.

Highlights…

1. Nut slice recipe
2. Chair yoga, starting Monday (tomorrow)
3. Libertine Tea available in shop
4. New Yoga Collective mats are coming
5. Earning free gifts from the shop
6. Poem – “She Let Go”

Nut Slice Recipe

This slice is healthy, delicious, and gives you lots of energy to kick-start your day.

In fact, I love having this slice every morning, for breakfast, because it’s so quick to eat.

When you’re making this slice, the entire house is filled with an amazing aroma!

Here’s how to make it…

Nuts & Seeds
Mix the following nuts, seeds, and coconut, together:

• 2 cups of nuts (almonds, cashews, brazil, any mixture)
• 1 cup of shredded coconut
• ½ cup of fine coconut
• ¾ cup of pumpkin seeds
• ¾ cup of sunflower seeds
• ½ cup sesame seeds (or chia, or flaxseeds)

Mash Ingredietns

In a pot add the following ingredients:

• 2 cups (280g) dates
• 3 tbsp (60g) honey
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup water

Simmer, with a lid on, for about 10 minute, until dates are soft.

Then mix in coconut oil and salt:

• ½ cup (120g) coconut oil
• pinch salt

Now, mash together, using a fork.

Finally… 
Add the nuts & seeds into the mash, and press into a tin.

Refrigerate overnight.

Once set, slice into smaller bars, ready to eat, when you’re on the run.

Optional
When I’m feeling indulgent, I love to add a few pieces of dark chocolate to the mash.

Chair Yoga, Mondays 11am

Just a quick reminder, regular chair yoga classes start tomorrow:

==> Chair Yoga, Mondays 11am

Don’t forget, if you’ve never been to Yoga Collective before, you can come along for a free week.

Also, if you’ve previously registered for a free week – and you couldn’t make it – you’re welcome to come along and try this class for free.

Libertine Tea is Now Available

Those who arrive a few minutes before class, get to enjoy a nice warm cup of Tea.

Many of you have asked where to get the Libertine Tea – especially the Kapow! – with the Chilly ‘kick’.

It’s now available for purchase at class, and will be added to the shop, in the next few days.

New Yoga Mats

I’m super excited to announce the new Yoga Collective mats, designed by me (and Wynne).

Come and take it for a test drive, next time you come to class.

These mats are made of high quality, soft cork, with a natural rubber base.

The lines are perfect for helping you to align yourself, when doing certain yoga poses.

(I only have the prototype, at the moment. But I’ll be taking pre-orders for them, shortly.)

Earn Free Gifts from the Shop

We’ve got some really cool gifts in the store. For example: salt lamps, oil diffusers, soy candles, teas, and lots more to come.

When your friends register & come along for a free week, you earn points, which can be redeemed at the shop.

More details here:

==> yogacollective.nz/rewards

Poem – “She Let Go”

This is a moving poem I have read in recent classes.

Many of you asked for a copy…

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.

“She let go of the fear. She let go of the judgments. She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. She let go of the committee of indecision within her. She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.

She didn’t ask anyone for advice. She didn’t read a book on how to let go. She didn’t search the scriptures. She just let go.  She let go of all of the memories that held her back. She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn’t promise to let go. She didn’t journal about it. She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer. She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper. She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. She just let go.

She didn’t analyze whether she should let go. She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter. She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment. She didn’t call the prayer line. She didn’t utter one word. She just let go.

No one was around when it happened. There was no applause or congratulations. No one thanked her or praised her. No one noticed a thing. Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.

There was no effort. There was no struggle. It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad. It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be. A small smile came over her face. A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.”

– Rev. Safire Rose

Have an awesome week!

See you soon, in class.

Cheers,

Lauren

The post Yoga Collective Newsletter #1 appeared first on Yoga Collective Paremata.

And, I’m excited to announce we’re running regular classes, starting next Monday at 11am.

Learn more and book into chair yoga classes here.

Here’s what attendees are saying about chair yoga…

“After two knee replacements for arthritis, I felt unable to get up and down off the floor quickly. Which made me feel I couldn’t do yoga.

But, with chair yoga, I know I can do it and I feel way better for it. I feel more flexible, even after one class.”

– Nicola Krijger

“My main obstacle is getting up and down from the floor, gracefully; lack of strength in taking weight on right side, due to shoulder rotor cuff.

I’ve experienced flexibility on left side of neck… Stretching felt good. I also enjoyed the positive feeling from getting back into it; nice people; and calm clear instructions.

I recommend chair yoga, as it promotes exercise at any stage or ability.”

– Shelley Bunting

“I wasn’t sure how I would go, being hospitalized a lot, but was able to attempt all moves.

Really rapt I was able to participate, because I have been really crook.

I enjoyed stretching my abdomen, back, and neck.

There’s good energy and you feel better for it.”

– Leonie Middleton

Chair Yoga is not just for those with mobility issues, either.

It’s also good for anyone who wants to do something gentle & low-intensity, while enjoying the full benefits of regular yoga.

And, as several of Monday’s chair yoga group will tell you… it’s a real workout!

So, if you want to check out chair yoga, then click here:

==> Chair yoga classes

Also, if you know anyone, who you think Chair Yoga could help, then please share this post with them.

The post Regular Chair Yoga Classes Porirua – Mondays at 11am appeared first on Yoga Collective Paremata.

This is perfect if you’ve got any issues that make it difficult for you get down and up from the ground.

Or, you might: spend lots of time working at a desk; travelling for long stretches, while seated.

Either way, this sequence will give you a good stretch, while working your core.

Give it a go and let me know what you think.

To find out more about the chair yoga classes, we run at Yoga Collective, Porirua, go to:

Chair Yoga Classes

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments 🙂

The post Here’s a Quick Chair Yoga Class for Working Your Core appeared first on Yoga Collective Paremata.

It’s no secret, regular yoga practice leads to improved:

• Flexibility and mobility
• Core strength, balance, and posture
• Mental wellbeing, cognition, and overall stress reduction

But if you have mobility issues, you may feel excluded… because yoga poses require you to get up & down from the ground.

This can be painful.

As a result, you feel like you can’t keep up, in regular yoga classes.

That’s why chair yoga is such a good option – you can experience improved flexibility, mental wellbeing, and strength, even if you have:

• Knee injuries
• Hip issues
• Arthritis
• Wrist pain
• Osteoporosis
• Balance problems
• Or any other conditions that limit movement

Chair yoga is LOW-intensity – yet, still delivers all of the benefits of yoga.

This event is completely free.

The response to this free class will help gauge interest. If we get a good response, we’ll run regular chair yoga classes.

And, do let me know if you are interested in chair yoga, but can’t make this free class. Also, include days and times that work best for you. (I know, several of you have asked for a night class, but with the current yoga & Boat Club timetables, it’s tricky – options could be a 4:30 or 5pm class… or possibly Wednesday 6:15pm)

Space is limited.

Book today to reserve a spot for your chair:

 ==> Register for the free chair yoga class here

Chairs provided 😉

(Please share with friends who might be interested in chair yoga!)

The post Free Chair Yoga Class appeared first on Yoga Collective Paremata.

Over the past few months, several people have told me, they struggle to get down to the ground or even up from the ground because of the pain in their knees or their hips.

And, this makes it’s difficult for them to enjoy the benefits of yoga.

So, one of the classes, I’ve wanted to teach for a while now, is Chair Yoga – which is yoga you can do, with the support of a chair.

In the next week or two, we’ll be doing a trial to see whether or not there are enough people who are interested.

But, before we start the trial, I want to get an idea of the days and times that would suit you best.

So, what I’m asking for is two things:

1. First, please share this video with anyone you think might benefit from chair yoga.
2. Second, if that’s you, please comment below, indicating the days and times that would work for you.

Once we have enough feedback, we’ll run the first class, and take it from there.

Many thanks in advance!

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