5th Edition
Friday, 21st June - from 6:00 pm
Saturday, 22nd June - from 8:00 am
Wanaka Community Hub
34 McDougall St - Wanaka
The International Day of Yoga (IDY) Wanaka is celebrating 5 years of this special date, keeping the goals of sharing our passion for yoga and educating our community about the broad aspects of Yoga.
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On its 5th edition, Ahimsa (non-violence or non-harming) is the base and theme for our event and all sessions offered. You will be able to feel and learn how this first Yama can be applied in your yoga routine and daily life.
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In a new location for 2024, we will celebrate this event at the Wanaka Community Hub. The IDY Wanaka 5th edition will run from Friday evening, June 21st and all day Saturday, June 22nd.
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In the last few years, the event has been fully booked, but with an increase of no-shows, this has resulted in people missing out on attending. To avoid this, we suggest a small registration fee that will be donated to Community Hub and Community Network/Link.
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The IDY Wanaka event is open to all, regardless of yoga experience and level. Please communicate to the teachers before each session in case of injuries or health problems that may effect your ability during the class.
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Below you will find the program, a description of each session, and the link for registration.
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Please, bring your own yoga mat, blocks, blanket and water bottle. Arrive 10 minute before your session to confirm your booking. Bookings not confirmed from 5 minutes prior to the session will be available to the waiting list. There will be no entrance into the class after the beginning of the session.
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All teachers and people involved in this event are volunteers. Please, respect and be kind to all.
Program
Friday 21 June Auditorium
17:50 - 18:00 Opening Day
18.00 - 18.50 Kundalini Yoga - Lili
19.00 - 19:50 Yin Yoga- Juls bring props
19:50 - 20:00 Closing Day 1
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Saturday 22 June Auditorium Upstairs Room
07:50 - 08:00 Opening Day 2
08.00 - 08.50 Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - Nati
09.00 - 09.50 Natha Yoga - Chandra Envision Guided Meditation - Danielle
10.00 - 10.50 Energising Vinyasa - Sian Ahimsa in Bhagavad Gita - Keity
11.00 - 11.50 Iyengar Yoga: Standing Poses - Sirpa Breath Tricks for a Happy Life - Michael & Tiarna
12.00 - 12.50 Lunch Break Lunch Break
13.00 - 13.50 Vinyasa flow - Nicky How to avoid injuries in Yoga - Keity
14.00 - 14.50 Tong Yuan Heart Meditation - Kim Nervous System Tools for Instant Calm- Laurina
15.00 - 15.50 Moving with Functional Asanas - Jill Ayurveda: Ahimsa in daily life - Roberta
16.00 - 16.50 Contemplative Yin - Van - bring props Yoga Nidra - Bernadine
17.00 - 17.50 Twist your Body with Iyengar Yoga bring props
18.00 - 18.50 Heart Connection Vinyasa Flow - Aube
18.50 - 19:00 Closing Day 2
Bookings are required for all sessions. This program is subject to change.
Our Sessions
Friday, 21st
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6:00 pm - Kundalini Yoga, with Lili Eve
This is a beginner friendly Kundalini Yoga practice with a focus on strengthening the nervous system and cultivating more clarity & compassion of the heart. Expanding the electromagnetic field of your own heart will have a ripple effect for all of humanity. The practice will also include the healing vibration of the gong.
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7:00 pm - Yin Yoga, with Juls
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Saturday, 22nd
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8:00 am - Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, with Nati
Step into the transformative world of Ashtanga yoga with this invigorating 50-minute class led by Nati. Rooted in traditional Ashtanga principles, this dynamic practice will immerse you in a sequence of postures carefully designed to cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner peace while exploring the profound connection between mind, body, and breath.
This class fosters a deep sense of focus and presence on the mat, inviting you to breathe, flow, and sweat as you harness the transformative power of this ancient practice. Come as you are—all levels are welcome—to this space of acceptance and self-discovery, where you can set yourself up for an energising day ahead while embodying the principle of ahimsa both on and off the mat.
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9:00 am - Natha Yoga, with Chandra
Natha yoga is a tradition that its ideas influenced Advaita Vedanta and the Bhakti movement. Natha yoga practice includes the physical practice along with spiritual and intellectual advancement using a combination of asanas, breathing and meditation. In this class, you will have a safe space to connect with the body, emotions, and thoughts in the present moment. A real connection where we respect our bodies in the process and observe our emotions and thoughts.
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9:00 am - Envision Guided Meditation, with Danielle
Step into a world of tranquility and self-reflection with Envision: Guided Meditation at this year's International Day of Yoga. Guided by the experienced yoga teacher and soul purpose coach, Danielle Anson, participants will embark on a journey of self-discovery, unlocking the power of positive self-talk. This session promises to be a sanctuary for the mind, where inner peace and personal insights flourish.
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10:00 am - Energising Vinyasa Yoga, with Sian Leigh
Be prepare to get that heart rate pumping and be 100% present in this class, so you walk away feeling like a new person.
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10:00 am - Ahimsa in Bhagavad Gita, with Keity
The first Yama of the Yoga Sutras is Ahimsa, or non-violence. How is this applied in the Bhagavad Gita, another sacred text that occurs in a battlefield? While it looks like a contradiction, it is explained in this class, with the participation of the attendees, creating a flow of discussion and information based in values, conceptions and sacred texts of Yoga.
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11:00 am - Winter Warm Up with Iyengar Yoga: Focus on Standing Poses, with Sirpa
As the temperatures drop, it's time to warm up your body and mind with our invigorating Iyengar Yoga practice. Today’s class at the International Day of Yoga, we're focusing on standing poses to build strength, stability, and inner warmth. Standing poses in Iyengar Yoga are perfect for winter as they generate the heat and build strength by activation of large muscle groups boosting circulation and warmth. Standing postures improve balance and develop stability and focus, grounding you through the season. They also increase energy and combat winter lethargy.
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11:00 am - Breath Tricks for a Happy Life, with Michael and Tiarna
Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or looking to be more present? The answer lies within your breath. Join Michael and Tiarna of Hya Wellness in a breathwork workshop. They'll teach you practical tools you can use to cope with the daily struggles of life while explaining the science of the breath.
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1:00 pm - Vinyasa Flow, with Nicky
Immerse yourself in a dynamic flow class to celebrate World Yoga Day, synchronising movement with the breath, each pose smoothly transitioning to the next, it will help enhance your body's awareness, reduce stress, and improve focus and concentration to help you navigate today's modern and busy lives.
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1:00 pm - How to Prevent Injuries in Yoga, with Keity
In this class we will discuss principles of how to avoid injuries and types of injuries that can happen during your practice. A mix of theory and practical class in which you leave with more awareness of your body and how to move correctly during asanas.
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2:00 pm - Tong Yuan Heart Meditation, with Kim
The Tong Yuan ‘Heart Consciousness’ meditation is a sitting (or lying) experience where you are guided through a spoken meditation to connect with and grow one of the '5 Xin' qualities of the heart: trust, openness, love, gratitude and deep reverence). This practice facilitates a deep connection with the heart and enables a re-connection with your essential true nature. The eventual goal of repeated practice of this simple meditation is to experience an unconditional state of 5 Xin (trust, openness, love, gratitude and deep respect), which in turn allows your True Self to fully manifest and guide your life. The full manifestation of the True Self is typically called enlightenment.
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2:00 pm - De-Stressing Nervous System, with Laurina
In this session we will talk about the nervous system, related to stress, giving practical tools and insights that people would walk away feeling empowered.
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3:00 pm - Moving with Functional Asanas, with Jill
Jill will encourage you to become aware of your breath and how it moves in your body and keep it moving with ease. She will help you become aware of how you are moving, where you are holding tension and encourage you to move in the range of motion that you can without strain, bracing or compensating by using muscles not necessary for the movement, working on restoring functional mobility. Please let her know before we start if you have a currant injury or anything that concerns you about the practice. Bring your curiosity, a blanket if you can and I look forward to practicing with you.
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3:00 pm - Ahimsa in Daily Life with Ayurveda, with Roberta
Ayurveda is probably the oldest healing science in the world, it originated five thousands years ago in India and it translates as “The science of life”. It emphasises mostly prevention of diseases and the maintenance of health through keeping a balance in one’s life following the right lifestyle, diet and use of senses. Ayurveda teaches us to respect our body, mind and spirit. Ahimsa, non violence, should be practiced toward all living beings but if we are not able to not harm ourselves first we will never look after others and Ayurveda can easily help us to learn how to take care of ourselves on a daily basis with small but important changes. In this workshop I will introduce you to the concept of Dinacharya and how to build a kind daily routine to start to take care of yourself.
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4:00 pm - Contemplative Yin, with Van
A guided yin practice with prompts and poetry for reflection. Begins with meditation, then moves into gentle poses with contemplation, ending in silence. Please bring some props for yourself, such as a pillow, blanket and if you have them, yoga blocks. This will provide a more comfortable experience.
Yin yoga is a deep practice, going into the connective tissues that surround joints and muscles, unlike traditional yoga which focuses mostly on muscle stretching/strengthening. Poses are typically held for 2-5 minutes in stillness so that these deeper myofascial layers can be released.
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4:00 pm - Yoga Nidra, with Bernadine
Otherwise known as Yogic Sleep, the practice of Yoga Nidra is an ancient yogic technique in which one learns to relax consciously. It is a systematic method where one turns their senses inwards, and the consciousness comes into a state between
waking and sleep but is subject to neither. The result is complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation with awareness. Please come along with warm clothing and any props, blankets you would like to have to allow your physical body to relax
during the practice.
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5:00 pm - Unlock the Power of Twists with Iyengar Yoga
This International Day of Yoga, delve deep into the rejuvenating practice of Iyengar Yoga with our specialised class focusing on twisting poses. Why twists? They're not just about flexibility; they invigorate your entire body, enhancing digestion, detoxification, and spine health. Join us to this class and explore the numerous benefits of twists.
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6:00 pm - Heart Connection Vinyasa Flow
This heart connection flow is an invitation to dance on the rhythm of your breath with the poetry of the body, the softness of the heart, the infinity of the soul. We will focus on breath awareness while reenforcing and lengthening our back and shoulder muscles. Together, we will stimulate blood flow throughout our body.
Moreover, this flow is an invitation to extend the love, the peace and the compassion that we find within our heart to others and our environment. Let us practice together with intention, honor of our roots and environment.
About our teachers
Aube Grand - My name is Aube, a 28 years old frenchie certified in Yoga Vinyassa for three years. Dance, music, water and winter sports have always been part of my life. I've been practicing synchronized swimming for five years and after those five years, I felt I did not know how to breathe anymore. I started to practice yoga to reconnect with my breath. Over time, I had more control over my breath and learned to find joy in the process instead of focusing on the result. It brought a huge change in my daily life. Therefore, I decided to do my YTT with Anais Varnier and Assan Beyeck Rifoe in France to learn about the history of yoga and understand deeper the human body, the brain and its functionality. I learned how Yoga is embodying the Yamas and Niyamas, guiding personal conduct and calling systemic change and collective responsibility. For me, yoga became the practice of love, transcending acts towards collective liberation, resisting the divisive forces of hatred and exclusion, advocating for a world where empathy and kindness prevail.
Bernadine - Bernadine has a dedicated, playful personal yoga practice and loves to share her light and love for the practice by guiding various yoga classes within the Wanaka community.
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Chandra - Namaste! My name is Chandra, I am from Argentina and a Natha Yoga teacher since 2016. For me, yoga is a lifestyle. My practice is part of my daily routine and is based on yogic philosophy. In this class, I intend to provide you with a safe space. Our united goal will be to connect with the body, emotions, and thoughts in the present moment. A real connection where we respect our bodies in the process and observe our emotions and thoughts.
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Danielle Anson - Danielle Anson is a Soul Purpose Life Coach, Yoga Teacher & Meditation Facilitator. She thrives on helping her yoga students & coaching clients to live life in their most intentional way. As a yoga teacher, she's passionate about providing mindful flow classes, with a strong sense of grounding & connection to the breath, to aid her students to be truly present and leave class with a true sense of relaxation in the body & mind.
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Jill Midgley - I started a consistent and focused practice here in Wanaka in 2002 under the talented teacher and practitioner, Swenja Stellfield. My classes are a blend of past learnings and yoga traditions and continued study. I’ve trained with Iyengar teacher Glenn Ceresoli in Byron Bay, Australia, and Goa, India, and completed a 300 hour, advanced teacher training with Noah Maze, a Hatha practitioner and a devoted and inspiring teacher of teachers. My interest is moving to the more therapeutic side of yoga, helping people be at ease in their bodies, building strength and mobility around good functional movement. Such a beneficial practice in empowering people to develop the tools to recover from injuries, chronic pain, anxiety and depression. I am studying Yoga Therapy, with Susi Hately from Functional Synergy in Calgary, Canada.
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Juls Moore - I have been teaching yoga full time since 2017. I moved to Wanaka nearly 4 years ago. My passion around teaching is to encourage students to explore functional movement, stability and mobility. Through the modality of yoga they ca create a better connection to themselves and the flow on effect that has in their lifestyles. Community and a sense of connection is a common thread through all of my classes that makes every student feel welcome, relevant and successful.
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Keity Garcia - I'm a yoga practitioner for over 20 years and teacher for almost 10 years. Passionate about yoga philosophy, bandhas, biomechanics and the connection between the breath and the nervous system, I teach unique and fun classes, allowing the connection between mind - body - spirit happens naturally through the exploration of new possibilities and methodologies. I taught yoga classes in Turkey and Brazil before moving to New Zealand, in 2019, where I have been teaching yoga since then. I have also been organizing the International Yoga Day event in Wanaka since 2020.
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Kim Knight - Kim has been studying Qi-Gong since 2000, when she was looking to heal herself from chronic illness which had left her virtually housebound for 10 years. Since then she has trained in 3 schools of Qigong, and now predominantly teaches Ren Xue Yuan Gong Qigong, a comprehensive system for cultivating the heart consciousness, and dissolving the unhealthy patterns of consciousness which block the way to self-realization and wisdom. She has completed the 6 year Ren Xue life cultivation training and is a fully certified Ren Xue practitioner. She has also trained in many other cutting-edge modalities including The Emotion Code, mBraining, Lifestyle Medicine, Advanced Clearing Energetics, Moativational Medicine and more. She specializes in helping people re-empower themselves from toxic and emotionally abusive childhood upbringings, and recover from chronic illnesses which stem from these unhealed traumas
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Laurina Kersten - I am Laurina, lover of life, nervous system soother, coach, and all round positive human .
Over the last decade I have worked with thousands of women to change their relationship to stress, enhance life, and provide deep inner nourishment. I am a passionate spiritual explorer and am initiated into yoga as well as many women’s sacred dance and healing traditions, and have taught in numerous countries around the world.
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Lili Eve - Certified in Kundalini Yoga, Vinyasa, Yin & Yoga Nidra, Lili is also a Somatic Dance DJ & Facilitator who loves to create safe supportive spaces for growth & transformation to take place, inviting people to come as they are, and to explore the depths of their soul. Leaving the corporate world to lead a more embodied life, being on this path has opened Lili to the magic and miracles that appear when you trust in the flow of life and it is an honour to share these practices with those looking to expand and evolve.
Michael & Tiarna -
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Nati - Originally from Argentina, she has called Wanaka home for the past 9 years. For her, yoga is a lifestyle—a journey of tuning into the body's subtle cues on and off the mat. It's about gracefully navigating the interplay between movement and stillness, listening to the body's whispers. Driven by her passion for yoga, she has trained in various disciplines, including Vinyasa (200 hours), Yin (100 hours), and Ashtanga (200 hours). Each training has guided her through different life phases, deepening her connection with the beauty within, those around her and nature.
Nicky Neeley - I have known and loved yoga for as long as I can remember, growing up in rural NZ with my mum teaching yoga to the community in our living room. After travelling, living, learning and practising yoga across many countries, I started my teaching career 9 years ago, and now have my own studio in Albert Town. I have a wonderful group of students which I find very rewarding to teach.
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Roberta Marra - I am Roberta, a forever student and teacher of Yoga and Classical Tantra and Ayurvedic Counsellor passionate about helping people building a holistic approach to life and with strong spiritual beliefs. I am an avid traveller and I came to discover Yoga during a road trip in Australia 5 years ago, it became my everyday practice and it took me on a lifelong spiritual quest. It is through Yoga, which I consider my first love, and some very hardcore moments of my life that Ayurveda crossed my path, it started as curiosity and book after book I realised I wanted more people to know about the power of this science and the interconnection between body, mind and spirit. I graduated as Ayurvedic Counsellor with Kerala Ayurveda Academy and I am soon enrolling for the next chapter to become Ayurvedic Practitioner.
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Sian Leigh - Sian has been practicing yoga since her mum rocked up in her purple one piece when Sian was 6. She found the “yang" of yoga fundamental to life in her 20s after breaking her back snowboarding, and discovered much more of the “yin" in her 30’s when she was crippled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She embarked on her first 200 hours of training in Ibiza in 2016 whilst moving away from working in the corporate world, and then consolidated this in 2019 with another 100 hours specialising in Yin. She is passionate about teaching yoga, and can be found online, at The Body Garage twice a week, at Snowsports with the young snowsports kids, and at Peninsular Bay Community Center where she teaches all levels.
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Sirpa Gardner - I have practiced Iyengar Yoga since 2006 and started teaching as a certified Iyengar yoga teacher in 2016. Before I began teaching yoga full time I practiced as a Registered Nurse for over 30 years. Health and wellbeing has been part of my life all my adulthood. I completed masters degree of Health Sciences 2002 at Turku university in Finland. Yoga and teaching yoga is a journey, learning never ends it just deepens. I continue studying yoga with the senior Iyengar yoga teachers in New Zealand, Australia and in U S A via online tutoring and in organised Workshops and I attend to regular teacher development courses. To inspire and to be inspired by others is my goal when teaching yoga. I will always continue being a student of yoga and wish my students to become students of this beautiful art as well.
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Van Saberton - Van has been doing yoga since her teen years, a practice that saved her life at the time. She has since been deeply interested in practices that allow one to commune with themselves, having studied Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin yoga, as well as Forest Therapy and meditation. Curious and open minded, she strives for community and radical acceptance. Her main focus is on getting to know oneself deeply, lovingly and kindly; asking the questions: “who am I?” “how am I?” and “who are you?”. Through compassion, she believes we can all meet in presence.
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