An uplifting yoga class expertly facilitated with a gentle approach by Rishi at Studio Paradise in central Whangārei. This venue is upstairs next to Putiputi Ra, across the road from Pak 'n Save.
This class on Wednesday mornings at 9am is a 75-minute general hatha yoga class - asana (postures/exercises), pranayama (specialized breathing techniques), yoga nidra (deep relaxation). Suitable for beginners to advanced, as students work at their own level and pace.
Note that the asana section is the longest component but there will be some pranayama in each class.
5 sessions are scheduled in Term 2 initially until we see how the uptake of this brand new class goes (runs until 25 June, incl., the final Wednesday of Term 2, resuming for a 6th session on 16 July if running in Term 3).
Move, breathe and relax for flexibility, strength and balance.
Your first class with us can be done for $10 (cash or internet banking), without any obligation to continue after that. If you return, the SPECIAL (for this new class only) is a 5-class concession card for $50, keeping each class at the $10 rate. Usually this card is $70, so this special is a big saving!
11-class and 22-class concession cards also available.
NO EXPIRY on any of our cards, so you keep using a card until finished. They can be used at any venue we teach at and shared with friend/s or whānau.
INSTRUCTOR: Rishi Iyer
Rishi has a BMus(Hons), specializing in classical singing. He has worked with NZ Opera in the chorus of various productions and is often in local shows with Opera North.
Growing up in a yoga teaching environment, he decided to do his yoga teacher training. In 2022, Rishi attended a series of week long sessions, with follow up study and practice required after each one, to obtain a RYT 200 Yoga teaching qualification from Prema-Heart Yoga School at Ritual Yoga on Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf.
Rishi, when he can fit them in, likes to be a part of other yoga retreats and workshops regularly each year to continue learning through yoga. He had also attended classes with yoga teachers when studying at Waikato University. Over the past 8 years, he has worked with Swami Anandaradha Saraswati (Radhe) in the Northland classes and workshops, teaching all of the 6 classes run per week by Shraddha Yoga and Meditation in 2024.
Having a father who is Brahmin from India, it seems that Rishi may have genetically inherited an ability with pronunciation of Sanskrit! Admittedly, this is probably also helped by becoming proficient in singing in other languages in his classical singing pursuits. He also has a particular interest in chanting and/or singing Sanskrit mantra and kirtan.
OUR TYPE OF YOGA
✨Both Rishi and Radhe are trustees of Shraddha Yoga and Meditation, a registered charitable trust.
✨Hatha Yoga, a classical style of yoga including asana (postures/poses) and sometimes a few minutes of pranayama (specialized breathing techniques), makes up the main part of Shraddha Yoga and Meditation 75 minute sessions. However, Rishi will include some different asana and a specialized pranayama in each of the Wednesday morning Hatha Yoga & Pranayama classes.
✨We always give a short yoga nidra (deep relaxation) of 10-15 minutes at the end of each class, this practice also being known as 'psychic sleep' and adapted by Swami Satyananda from earlier teachings for use in more modern times.
✨Although our approach to asana practice is gentle, anyone can always go a little 'easier' or 'harder' in any asana to better suit a personal need - choose to reduce/extend practice of an asana or substitute with variations of an asana or perhaps do another asana altogether, possibly a less/more challenging alternative or perhaps just something that you know you want/need to do, whether just on that occasion or whenever practice of that particular asana occurs in a class.
✨Our classes are largely Satyananda-focused, with practices from the Bihar School of Yoga forming the foundation. Some asana are repeated, a few are within flows and there are in some classes a few others held for some time (a number of breaths).
✨A book that is very useful for learning more about this style of yoga is 'Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha' by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
Bring your yoga mat (let us know if you do need to borrow one of our mats) and also a blanket for the relaxation that is done at the end of the class.
We look forward to seeing you here to relax and release into the rest of your week!
Rishi welcomes bookings and enquiries on 0277104347.
Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Whangarei, Workshops in Whangarei.
