Dr Yumi

29/05/2025

29/05/2025

There is something magic that happens when people come together to learn and play. I absolutely loved expanding the intuitive collage approach I've used for over a decade, to create layered meanings around reflection, hope and our ancestors in relation to Matariki with a beautiful group of English learners today.

So many smiles, giggles and deep focus!

Thank you godkin for the opportunity and your students who were open and willing to just trust the process 💕💕💕

21/11/2024

What a surprise to open my email this morning and discover that Karōria Johns and I made 'the cover'of IFIC's email celebrating the North American Conference on Integrated Care! We're with Jodame Goldhar and I'm internally fan girling in this photo 😅

It's the conference that keeps on giving!

There are some great reflections and recordings of presentations on the Conference at International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) website, including an eloquent post by Cara English, where I get wee mention (thank you!)

https://integratedcarefoundation.org/blog/nacic24-a-bright-reminder-of-the-hope-and-optimism-that-comes-from-sharing-stories?vgo_ee=4DlgZmXqnUBPXkxk4PLmv24k4wuY54n5eKJz8pDF1zIaIIVdAbYhoXLuZJTF%3Ag3fu9MYHZcppwFS3%2BAbdtztBFvsvDyag&fbclid=IwY2xjawGroatleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUaK5iDn6t4e36r2iuvcRBdzP3oZswo13BvaPBTymtlVxA0eyiB9yiOeFw_aem_vTnfiTBV7GolzwIqZFudrg

With Jodeme Goldhar, Co-founder of IFIC Canada.

01/02/2024

I wasn't expecting this...and as someone who never made the 'First anything' in sports, seeing Akira make the First XI in Cricket, in his third year at Paraparaumu College is amazing.

On Fridays they wear their 'Number Ones' to school. (So much learning for Mum about this - I had no idea!)

I'm constantly in awe at the abilities of my three beautiful tamariki - through the tough and the tender of their lives they all keep shining ❤️💕💙💚

30/01/2024

Kia ora amazing dance Family! It is with much sadness I have to announce that there will be no classes for 2024. New work, study and family commitments means that teaching class was just too much of stretch this year.

I have loved every session with you during 2023 and hope that we will stay in touch :-)

I will be joining roller skating lessons (I'll post that up soon) if anyone is keen!

For now, it is goodbye from me, thank you and keep on grooving!

Much aroha
Yumi

06/12/2023

15 years ago you came into this world with ease, just like your personality 🙂 always easy going, willing to help, kind, determined and focused, you've grown into an awesome young man, caring and protective of your siblings, first class cricketer, best scrambled egg maker ...and head and shoulders taller than Mum.

Love you 🥰 Can't believe you'll be old enough to drive next year 🤯🤯🤯

15/11/2023

Creative facilitation in practice!

Yesterday I had the privilege of facilitating a workshop with Manawatu Supporting Families focused on the AOD service sector (Alcohol and Other Drugs).
Over 100 clinicians, service providers and community organisations came together to network, share their successes and explore how to work together.

Collage-based narratives, waiata and poetry revealed the importance of upholding the mana of whanau and each other, deep commitment to the kaupapa and strengthening connections.

And I'm reminded how much I love designing and delivering sessions that are energising, action oriented and playful (because when you're having fun, that's when you're most creative)!

Big thank you to Shane Casey for the referral

I'm hanging out to design and deliver more experiences so reach out if you're considering a memorable session!

12/11/2023

I'm home and looking forward to easing back into some fabulous ballet to boogie moves! Only 5 more weeks of class this term so come get that groove on tonight, 6pm Mazengarb Road Sports Pavillion.

25/10/2023

Beauty in a cup of coffee❤️

27/09/2023

Over the past six months I have had the amazing privilege of focusing on collecting, collating and.elevating community voice in Horowhenua as part of prototyping the new Localities approach to health.

It is an ongoing work in progress, as there are still more voices to hear, and we are sharing what we've heard so far next week. I'll be there everyday to share our learnings. I'd love to see you!

"Whakarongomai," a celebration of community voices and aspirations. This exhibition is from the 4th to the 7th of October and marks a significant milestone in the journey toward equitable health and wellbeing for all people in Horowhenua.

"Whakarongo Mai" it's an opportunity for the community to reflect on what has been heard and to provide additional insights into what is needed to enhance the health and wellbeing of our community members.
This event is an open invitation to all, as we believe that the power to make change lies firmly with the community.

Localities, a new way of working centred on the unique needs and aspirations of each community, is all about engaging the "whānau voice" in decision-making processes. The Horowhenua Takiwā locality serves as an inspiring example of how localities are transforming healthcare by ensuring that underrepresented groups have their voices heard.

Come and add your voice to the kōrero

11/09/2023

See you tonight (Monday 6pm) and Wednesday 9am, Mazengarb Sports Pavillion Hall

27/08/2023

We grow as we go.

Yesterday was my beautiful first born's birthday.

I remembered it was also my birthing - day.

When each baby is born, a new parent is born - each child requires something different from us as parents... which is why we should be gentle with ourselves. Just as we are with our growing children... we expect them to mess up, to not have it figured out, fall down and try again, make mistakes, keep learning and growing.. so it is with parenting 😊

Beside, it's not like each new make and model came with a personalised instruction Manual 😅😅😅

Be kind to you when you can. We grow as we go.