Yoga Rhapsody

A song I wrote for the roopu I spent the last weekend in Tokaanu with, at an Understanding and Developing Matekite wānanga with Wiremu Niania Cultural Therapy. What an incredible privilege to be immersed in this matauranga, with such a special group of humans. Mauri ora whānau x #singersongwriter #nzmusician #originalsong #matekite

It’s been a wee while since guiding a practice in a studio, but today I’m excited to step in and share a yin practice at Hot Yoga - Lower Hutt.

Personally, an hour on my mat completely sets up and shapes the 24 hours that follow.

Looking forward to unhooking from the week that has passed and gently opening to feel ALL of NOW. Readying to receive what is next on the horizon ♥️

Kia ora whānau,

We are heading to Ōtaki this weekend and still have some sessions available at this stage. If you are keen, then click on the link to secure your spot!

A great opportunity to come and experience the deep healing of mirimiri and romirimi.

Let you friends and whānau know and we will see you on Sat ♥️♥️♥️

We are in Ōtaki next weekend! 🌿🌿❤️❤️ To book online go to:
https://ManawaOra.as.me/OTAKI ✨PLEASE SHARE ✨

Some of the beautiful works of my beautiful friend. Artist Helen Williams has her latest exhibition “Bittersweet” on show down at gallery in Newtown.

Her work is stunning and I urge you to take a look and step into her magical world, on these final days.

If you work in and around Willis St and would like to korero about wellbeing in the workplace for yourself, your staff or your team, come have a cuppa with us at Two/fiftyseven (above Unity bookstore) from 9am-3pm.
Our tables will be set up too! ✨✨✨

After a long wait for programmes to be up and running again in the prisons since Covid, we are thrilled to be back with the tāne in Manawatu.

It has only been 3 weeks, yet the response and enthusiasm from the whaiora has been incredibly motivating.

We have been taking time to re-connect, to move, to sing and integrate the shared mātauranga everyone contributes into the space.

Last week were blown away by the kōrero shared by staff and many of the tāne about how they are practicing in their own time and sharing bits and pieces with others in their unit. Some spoke about the changes they have already noticed in how they feel physically, mentally and emotionally.

"Even though I couldn't move last week, something inside told me to come anyway. Just lying on my mat in the wairua helped me heaps and I felt so much better. Coming in here is like coming back in to light, It helps me to see clearly and I already know it is helping me to heal."

To be greeted with the kind of feedback means the world. To know that the practice goes beyond the room, beyond the hour spent together and rippling in to the rest of the prison, is exactly why we continue this mahi. It is the absolute willingness and devotion from everyone who attends that allows the potency of these ancient practices to be a catalyst towards transformation and has an affect on the well-being of all beings.

Thank you so much to those who have generously donated toward the Nau Mai Tau Mai Community Trust and has helped to make this happen.

Mauri Ora

https://givealittle.co.nz/donate/org/naumaitaumai

Join us for Mirimiri and Romiromi this weekend at Omahu Marae ❤️🌿 please share

Aroha mai, Aroha atu.

What a beautiful 1st year of moving and sharing from space of Nau Mai Tau Mai.

Thank you to EVERYONE who has supported this charitable trust to enable connection, healing and transformation within our community.

Even with the impact of covid we were still able to be of service when it was needed most, especially with our soup kitchen whānau.

We have also been honoured to witness and be a part of some incredibly powerful shifts with the people we have meet and spent time with on their journey of addiction recovery.

Courageous, strong and deeply inspiring whānau who have taken back their power,and turned their lives around.

Even though our sessions are tiny part of their programme, we are constantly blown away by how whaiora respond and what occurs in a small amount of time.

Often this is the very first time of dipping their feet into dedicated time to themselves and their hauora. As confronting as it can be at the beginning, the peace and ease radiating from their eyes and smile says a million words. So often, there are no words to articulate the direct reality and quality of presence our friends are sitting in straight after practice. Though the kōrero shared when we meet the next week, about their individual experiences and the positive ripple effect it has in the days that follow, is always so deeply profound.

This is the healing and transformative power of re-connection.

We reach out with so much love and gratitude to all whaiora and whānau we have met this year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have shared and taught us along the way.
We look forward to the year ahead, continuing to serve this kaupapa in spaces both familiar and new in 2023.

If anyone wants to support the trust and its mahi, you can find out more here
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/naumaitaumai

Aroha nui,
Jem, Chrissy and Paul x

A seed to plant into the beginning of your week. "Crave Satisfaction" gifted by our beautiful friend, Papa Smurf. Wise kupu from the creative flow that Smurf generously shares with the world. Just one of his offerings from an inspiring collection of poetry, that he is working on publishing soon. Ngā mihi nui Jax Onyx. Legend 💚