Monthly Archives: March 2012

The yoga lunchbox is a fantastic online yoga magazine, a place to find information about yoga and connect with the yoga community in New Zealand. I thought I would write a post about the yoga lunchbox as I have found it to be a really great site to use myself and think it is a site everyone in the yoga community should know about.

The yoga lunch box or YLB is not just for yoga guru’s or teachers. It is for anyone wherever they are on their yoga path, new to yoga or a dedicated practitioner, the yoga lunchbox will help you find a yoga community near you so you can get the support you need as you go through your yoga journey. I like YLB because its a place that yoga teachers and students come together to share their experiences with each other and learn from each others stories.

Founded by Kara-Leah Grant in 2009 as a personal blog the site has grown over the years into its present state - a vibrant website with a writing team bringing the community a wide array of articles about yoga. As well as being the founder and editor in chief at the yoga lunchbox Kara Leah Grant is a yoga teacher and mother to a toddler. The musings from the mat section of the yoga lunchbox is where Kara-Leah gets up close & personal about life on and off the yoga mat – you can tell she has passion for writing and yoga from the articles she writes which I find are always a great read.

The writings you’ll find at the yoga lunchbox are reflections of what the YLB team have learnt and are learning through their own journey as students and teachers. They write about how yoga has the power to profoundly transform lives -physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and through their articles they show how yoga can take people from a place of utter despair to a place of complete joy.

Yoga is not always easy and the yoga lunchbox exists to reassure people that whatever they encounter along the path of becoming a yogi is just part of the process. It is also there to encourage us to try more than just asana, more than just going to class, and to celebrate making yoga a part of your daily life.

Personally I find the yoga lunch box a great place to go to regularly to hear about what has been going on in the yoga community in New Zealand. To find out about upcoming events, new yoga teachers, studios and to learn more about yoga and the impact it can have in my life. You can find the yoga lunch box here: YLB

I recently visited a great wellness centre that I just had to tell you about.

The Soul Centre tucked down a long driveway off Huia Road in Titarangi is a hidden gem that anyone wanting to take a pause from the busy pace of Auckland life should know about.

This little wellness oasis was set up by Wilhemeena Munroe whose aim was to create an environmentally friendly space offering a holistic approach to well-being that aligns body, mind and spirit. Somewhere you can enjoy weekly classes, weekend workshops, monthly programs, teacher training opportunities and lifestyle packages which integrate dance, art, creativity, organic living and spirituality into everyday life.

And certainly as you make your way along the tree lined drive way towards the Soul Centre there is an instant feeling of calm that takes over.  From the setting to the staff and the amazing therapies on offer, the whole place has a very serene relaxed feel and you know whatever you are there to do it will be good for your soul.

The Soul Centre therapy rooms are on the ground floor of a big old historic home which is situated on in beautiful lush grounds.  The therapy rooms in the grand old home have period features so high ceilings and wooden floors which adds to the feeling of space.

The purpose built yoga studio to the side of the house has windows that look out over the bush/wild garden setting, so you feel like you are practicing close to nature especially when the windows are open.

I met with Wilhemeena the owner/director of the Soul Centre who told me a little about some of the great things they offer.  Everything from yoga to cranio-sacral therapy, pilates and dance to massage and counseling.  They have holistic sports training, journal clubs, workshops, wellness lectures, cranial education sessions, chi-kung courses and much more. All their treatments can be used to enhance a full body-mind program or on their own for a unique, tranquil experience.

Felt a little like my day ran me today, not to worry tomorrow is another day...

Recently I was asked what I am going to be doing for living a healthy and well balanced life in 2012 so after a bit of thought I came up with the following:

1. Escape a little every day - As I am self employed sometimes I find myself working very long hours and it can be hard to switch off.  This year I am going to have more balance in my life by finding a way to escape a little each day. I truly believe that you create your own life.  So at the start of this year I thought about what my ideal work day would look like and what I would love to be doing on a daily basis.  My goal is to make each day as close as possible to my ideal work day.  Obviously, sometimes that isn’t going to be possible and there are always going to be less enjoyable work tasks or household jobs that need to be done.  But if I try and fit in at least one activity in my day that I really enjoy then I am on the right track.  Things like starting the day with a run along the waterfront or a hot yoga class, having coffee with my husband, going for a swim in my lunch break, listening to my favorite music as I work, and working on myescape tasks that I really love to do.  Also I have made a rule for myself to switch off the computer after 7.30pm every night so I can spend the evening relaxing, reading, watching a good movie or catching up with family or friends. (We'll see how that last one goes, so far I am having a little trouble switching the computer off but the intention is there so I'll keep working on it).

2. Learn something new - I believe it’s good to keep learning and to constantly challenge yourself.  I love to learn new things, this year I have been learning to surf. I am not doing it very well yet but it’s a new challenge and I am absolutely loving every minute of it!

3. Only do exercise that I enjoy - In the past I used to go to the gym and spend time on the cardio machines or lifting weights.  Over the last few years I realised I actually was no longer enjoying it.  Recently I have found forms of exercise that suit my body type, which I really enjoy much more and concentrating on these makes it much easier to be motivated and make time for them.  The types of exercise that work for me are swimming, yoga and dancing.  I have just discovered Bodyjam - an aerobic dance class which has great music and dance moves and is just loads of fun.  I also love Bikram yoga which for me is like a moving meditation.  The yoga postures combined with the heat and the teacher’s constant instruction helps your mind switch off and your body take over - before you know it 90 minutes has passed and you feel amazing!!  My goal this year is to complete another 30 day Bikram yoga challenge.  I have done one in the past and felt amazing afterwards so will be signing up to the next one in April.

4. Be Grateful - Last but definitely not least I am going to continue to be grateful for what I have in my life. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by people I love, good friends and family and to be doing work that I am passionate about.  I believe it is really important not to forget this, I feel grateful for everything in my life everyday.