In a culture of go, go, go, with barely an opportunity to catch our breath, Just Breathe Yoga — Restorative Yoga sessions provides anyone with a desire to seek sanctuary from the stress of schedules and barrage of the senses, with the time and place to purposefully rest, relax and revive body and mind. Just Breathe Yoga runs Restorative Yoga sessions in Grey Lynn and Ponsonby as a 90 minute evening session during the week, and as a three hour workshop every month. It's no small thing that anyone practicing yoga, no matter how long they have been doing yoga will be on a lifelong journey of learning. What often comes as a revelation is the profound experience of discovering Restorative Yoga. At Just Breathe Yoga, yoga teacher Gabrielle Matches has introduced many yoga enthusiasts, beginners and experienced yogis to the amazing power of Restorative Yoga. The act of doing nothing may seem trivial and commonplace, but Restorative Yoga provides the body with time and space to start a process of release and rejuvenation. How often in our busy schedules can we claim this badge. Restorative Yoga has it’s origins with the work of B.K.S. Iyengar who pioneered the use of props to help support the body in Yoga postures. Props such as blankets, bolsters, chairs, sandbags, eye bags and other devices are used to support the body in this particular yoga practice. Restorative Yoga is the practice of getting into poses where the body and all joints are positioned for complete comfort with the aid of props. Every care is taken to setup these props. This is where the expertise of an experienced teacher like Gabrielle is so invaluable. The props need to be carefully adjusted to fully support the person so that there is absolutely no discomfort in the body. It's only when every joint in the body has received the message that it is fully supported will the body yield, feel safe to relax and soften into the pose. In this profound state of supportiveness can one relax deeply, and be present in each pose. Long comfortable repose in these Restorative postures (some up to 20 minutes ) are preferable to shorter holds of the same pose that are setup to create more strongly-felt sensations. This may seem to contradict all the past lessons of yoga, but Restorative Yoga counters this tendency by moving the practice towards neutral, (rather than a “strong sensation” of stretching and release), all the while observing your breath and how it can vary with each pose.

The Benefits of Restorative Yoga People who practice Restorative Yoga often mention how it has heightened their self awareness, like a long calming meditation practice. They also report feeling fully rejuvenated yet relaxed. Sounds like an oxy moron, but it has to be experienced to be understood. This is not an intellectual practice. This is about moving from Exteroception (outside body/environment) to Proprioception (your body in space) to Interoception (inside your body). Interoception cultivates quality and sensitivity in the mind body connection and is very helpful in managing stress/anxiety, shifting habits, releasing tension, reducing pain and making difficult choices wisely. The benefits of this practice can often last a number of days and include improved powers of concentration, patience, a sense of calm, and deep restful sleep. Neuroscientists are beginning to study the effects of how interoceptive awareness is felt in our brain, in our immune system, and in our emotional lives. If you are seeking an oasis of calm from the crazy of your schedule and stresses of daily life, Just Breathe Yoga runs awesome Restorative Yoga sessions in Grey Lynn and Ponsonby; 90 minute sessions in the evenings during the week, and three hour workshops every month.Just Breathe Yoga practices at the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre at 51 Sussex Street in Grey Lynn / Ponsonby, Auckland.

What in my life feels like a void ?

What am I trying to fill it with?

Will it be filled by more consumption?

The Yoga practice of sitting with our breath brings us to the moment, to experience a fullness, a stillness on the inside that requires nothing from the outside. Simply BEING...taking refuge in a calm centre, opening our hearts in gratitude for what we have The practice of not seeking...

Contentment, This is "Santosha" the second Niyama of the Yogic Path.

The grace of Santosha comes when we melt into the pure awareness that this very breath carries with it all that you need...

You just need to pay attention to it

There is no single product or person that we can consume that will fill us like that. Sustainability is as much on the inside as it is on the outside. One impacts the other. We are so conditioned to believe that more followers, tweets, and likes represents goodness, glory, success... So we struggle on, like myself, attempting to prove "Special-ness", be better and bigger, gaining 1 or 2 more likes to remain in a "tribe" and not get cast aside for average, not notable - deluding ourselves that this is what counts.

At the end we still feel it's not enough, dis-content.... depleted, mentally exhausted this seeking "approval" outside of ourselves.. Where is the Santosha?

The Yogis tell us things are neutral. It is the personal labelling we put on these things that make them appealing or repulsive to us.. continually seeking or avoiding.. This is not sustainability.

There has to be give and take, effort and surrender, falling in love with your life..

So lets ask ourselves, do I need object or activity. ? What am I trying to fill? Who am I both with it and without it..? Will it really improve me,?

Maybe with these questions you will try to shovel less in, and in that you will have more, so much more.. The paradox is you will feel full.

*Notice when you try to fill in a difficult feeling or thought with"stuff"

*Practice "I have enough" each time you reach to buy

that 5th pair of sneakers..or 10th pair of pants...

*Give, love your complete attention to someone, a smile. They fill 2 people up, for the price of one! you and the other

And

Fighting stress in the modern world with Yoga

It's not that surprising that in spite of the social and technological progress that humans have made over the past millennia, modern life often has us living in a constant state of stress and often in “fight or flight mode”. Busy schedules and stressful situations often place our bodies in “fight or flight mode”. While we may not be consciously aware of it, stressed bodies will activate the sympathetic nervous system, dumping adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones into the body in anticipation for what might happen next — the digestive system is paused, blood is directed to the arms, upper trunk and legs, and breathing and heart rates increase rapidly. Your body is now ready to fight or run away, it sends a signal of readiness to your brain. The brain perceives that the body is ready, and interprets it as confirmation that there is real danger present, the body gets this signal from the brain. This loop continues, keeping the body in “fight or flight mode”. If we wind the story back slightly: the human nervous system is divided into two systems; the Somatic Nervous System which provides us with conscious control over our bodies for activities such as picking up objects or moving limbs; and the Autonomic Nervous System which is in charge of automatic bodily functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. The Autonomic Nervous System in turn is split into two further parts; the Sympathetic Nervous System which engages the “fight or flight response”, and the Parasympathetic Nervous System that brings the body back to the normal with the “rest and digest mode”. The Vagus Nerve, which is an important organ of the Parasympathetic Nervous System connecting the throat, lungs, heart and abdominal organs to the brain, is a significant part the Parasympathetic Nervous System that yoga practitioners work on to influence the way the body functions. To break out of the “fight or flight response” loop, the Parasympathetic Nervous System needs to activate (the rest-and-digest mode) and there are two ways to do it:

Convince the mind that there is no further danger, orStop the biological stress response so that the body signals the mind that it is no longer in “fight or flight mode”.

The Vagus Nerve which communicates both of those messages, is responsible for transporting most of the Parasympathetic messaging from the brain to the body and vice-versa. The Parasympathetic response which cannot be accessed directly, can be indirectly influenced by stimulating the Vagus Nerve, which is where Yoga is so effective. The Vagus Nerve can be accessed in the following ways:

The vagus nerve connected to the throat, lungs, heart and abdominal organs can be indirectly controlled using depth of breathing (sound familiar?).The vagus nerve connected to the muscles of the larynx (the part of the throat that opens and closes the vocal cords, and controls the pitch of the voice) can be directly controlled with correct breathing.

Making the Parasympathetic Nervous System work for you

While yoga is much more than a stress reduction method, it's probably one of the most effective ways to deal with stress that has ever been devised. Stress affects a wide range of health conditions, including "stress-related," afflictions such as migraines, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome, and also appears to contribute to more serious conditions such as coronary disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Even diseases such as cancer—of which there is little evidence that stress is a contributing factor—is extremely stressful when it has been diagnosed and being treated. Yoga can help improve the quality of life after diagnosis, and also help to diminish the side effects of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other treatments. Yoga may even contribute to increased rates of survival. Make a start with Yoga classes, or get serious with Yoga Therapy. You don't have to have an illness to benefit from Yoga Therapy. Reducing stress (engaging the Parasympathetic Nervous System) is an excellent way to help clear the clutter from your mind, and for you to focus on making your goals happen. Make yoga work for you.

Just Breathe Yoga practices at the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre at 51 Sussex Street in Grey Lynn / Ponsonby, Auckland.

Just Breathe Yoga Restorative classes in Aucklandoffer a healthy way to unwind from the stress of modern life. Held in the evenings, these classes are an excellent prelude to a night of deep, soothing and regenerative sleep. Restorative yoga is the practice of deep relaxation through poses held for long periods of time (some up to 20 minutes) along with some deeply relaxing breathing practices. The poses are supported with blankets, blocks, and various bolsters allowing the body to rest fully without any tensions or strain. While some restorative yoga poses are beneficial to the entire body, others target specific parts of the body. The principle of Restorative Yoga is deceptively simple — “to rest deeply” but in practice often takes time to master the art of a quiet mind and body. Sometimes a restful state of mind comes easily, at other times when we are so often preoccupied, there is more to let go of, if only for the moments you have in class.

Health Benefits of Restorative Yoga

Stress can and does make you sick. A regular practice of Restorative Yoga helps to significantly reduce these effects in direct contrast to the usual muscular yoga practices. The idea is to support the entire body frame as comfortably as possible so that the process of relaxation and regeneration can occur; with the least amount of resistance from the forces of physics and wayward body parts, limbs, spine and hips. People who practice Restorative Yoga often say how it has cultivated their self awareness and introspection, like a long calming meditation practice. They report feeling rejuvenated, more balanced... and not on edge. The follow-on benefits often last several days and include improved powers of concentration, patience and sense of calm. Just Breathe Yoga offers classes that are completely dedicated to Restorative Yoga. Combine our restorative yoga classes with Hatha Vinyasa or Yoga Fit classes for a balanced program of yoga for a healthy mind and healthy body. Over time and with practice, restorative yoga will reward you with the ability to quickly drop into a place of stillness. Just Breathe Restorative yoga classes in Auckland are all about soothing our fidgety bodies and putting our wandering minds into neutral so that we can rest quietly in the moment. Reset your system and take a Restorative Yoga Class or two for a test drive. Book your class now and be prepared for a wonderfully enlightening experience.MONTHLY RESTORATIVE SESSION 2.5 hrs of bliss

With double the time we drop into resting longer and deeper. You will leave feeling your energy levels restored, a calm and peaceful mind with a delicious sense of lightness and ease in your body. A fantastic monthly practice that reminds us we need to slow down...and enjoy the simple things in life... the sun, the rain, the smell of a flower, the laughter of a child...

Just Breathe Yoga practices at the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre at 51 Sussex Street in Grey Lynn / Ponsonby, Auckland.

Questions about Yoga Therapy

What is yoga therapy, is it like yoga classes, only more intense?Yoga Therapy is nothing like a Yoga Class. Yoga Therapy takes a holistic and integrative approach to dealing with a persons condition. It's about addressing the personal needs of an individual. So to address the various levels of healing of the whole person to achieve balance. This is at the heart of Yoga therapy.How does yoga therapy address specific health issues? This very much depends what the health issue is. Each person is different and requires a different plan for therapy. Yoga therapy uses all the tools of Yoga not just asana (poses).First, there is an initial consultation that takes roughly 90 minutes, which is then followed up with a minimum of 3 appointments. Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of Yoga. For people to be self-empowered and have a more active roll in their self-care. Clients are guided towards their own understanding of themselves and their bodies. Practices within a plan can include: poses, meditation, mantra diet, to other forms of exercise from the yoga toolbox.Can Yoga Therapy work alongside conventional medical treatments? Yoga Therapy works very well alongside most medical treatments, and is rarely contraindicated.How will yoga therapy help reduce my stress levels? Yoga Therapy looks at your lifestyle, what is happening currently in your life, as often stress is acute. In this particular instance how you breathe, would get a major look at. As would what you get stressed about what your levels like and how you currently manage them. For each person these are very different, what stresses one person may not affect another person at all. We also look at where you can slot into your life daily yogic practices to significantly reduce or even eliminate stress.How long do I have to wait to see results? It depends on your condition, but often straight away there is a shift of some kind, be that a physical or mental shift. For more information please visit our Yoga Therapy section or call Gabrielle to book an initial appointment.

Just Breathe Yoga practices at the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre at 51 Sussex Street in Grey Lynn / Ponsonby, Auckland.

Getting the most out of yoga in Auckland

Deciding where to do yoga in Auckland can be daunting with the choice of studios. All have pranayama (breath work) and asana (pose) in common, but there are a number of variations on the styles that are offered and how the breath and pose are put together. Just Breathe Yoga is a unique Yoga Studio that operates within the Ananda Marga Ashram (Yoga and Meditation Centre) at 51 Sussex Street, Grey Lynn, Ponsonby fringe. The environment is welcoming, friendly, and personal. At Just Breathe Yoga we emphasise how you can use your Breath to carry you through your entire yoga practice. When we use our Breath during class, not only do we focus on how we can use Breath on a physical level, but also the mental, emotional and spiritual areas of our lives too. TKV Desikkachar offers a wonderful encapsulation of this idea “However beautifully we carry out a pose, however flexible our body may be, if we do not achieve the integration of body, breath and mind we can hardly claim that what we are doing is Yoga.”

Small Classes, Attentive Yoga Teacher

Classes are lead by Yoga Teacher, Gabrielle Matches, an experienced Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist who is passionate about making Yoga accessible to all levels. Gabrielle will frequently modify poses for individuals to suit their body type and level of flexibility. The studio accommodates up to 10 students, which ensures that anyone who attends is provided with appropriate guidance, and kept free from injury. At some yoga classes held in Auckland city gyms with larger classes of thirty or more people, the chances of injury is considerably higher. It can take a lot of courage to go from sitting on your couch and thinking about yoga to actually rolling out a mat and doing a class. Be kind to yourself and take the next step with Yoga classes at Just Breathe Yoga. You can participate in any two taster classes for only $30. This is yoga in Auckland that everyone can do.

Just Breathe Yoga runs yoga classes in Auckland that will suit anyone with a genuine interest in improving their health and fitness with a Yoga practice. Unlike some of the larger Yoga classes that run in many of the popular gyms in Auckland, Just Breathe Yoga is a boutique studio with smaller classes enabling a safer and more tailored learning environment. The studio is roomy enough to accommodate 8-10 students which allows Just Breathe Yoga teacher, Gabrielle Matches to have the ability to observe everyone in their poses offering help and assistance when required. either by request or through her observation that its needed. Gabrielle is a champion at meeting you, where you are at in your yoga practice, and working from there. Just Breathe Yoga has yoga classes on both ends of the energy exertion spectrum. For an active class the Hatha Vinyasa classes are perfect for building strength, flexibility and general fitness and the Restorative Yoga for deep relaxation.

Hatha Vinyasa

These yoga classes are run as an 8 week course. Just Breathe Yoga provides classes that are not just good for general fitness and flexibility, but also provides a focus of self-inquiry. Benefits from this approach include:

more balanced body chemistryenhanced motor controlincreased kinesthetic acuity.

You are learning to awaken different sensations in your body through the poses, but keep in mind you are not striving for a particular body shape, but using the poses to heighten your ability to sense and receive information from your body, via your muscles, nervous system, and breath. The last two weeks of this course are used to embody and consolidate the lessons learnt over the previous six weeks, integrating this experience into one that is a more felt process (of the body) than a cognitive, language-based learning.

Yoga Fit

Just Breathe Yoga Yoga Fit classes balance of a number of Yogic components. The Just Breathe Yoga, Yoga Fit — 20/20/20 class is excellent for yoga enthusiasts who are looking for a class that allows you to focus on your particular requirements, whether its strength, flexibility, or both. If you are new or old to yoga, have more strength than flexibility, or more flexibility than strength, then this class maybe perfect for you. Precisely one hour; with 20 minutes warm up, 20 minutes working your needs, and 20 minutes winding down and meditation.

Restorative Yoga

The restorative yoga classes run by Just Breathe Yoga are all about easing your body and mind into a state of mindful relaxation where your body can be in the right state to rejuvenate and repair itself. If you lead a busy lifestyle and need a moment to block out the chaos from the working week, you'll find a session of restorative yoga a surprisingly welcome respite; the perfect way to drop into a state of restful calm. Over time and with practice, you'll be able to switch into that neutral mind state like a master, and enjoy what these amazing supportive poses can do for you. Take a look at the weekly schedule of the Just Breathe Yoga Restorative Yoga classes or upsize your relaxing repose with the Monthly Bliss Restorative. If you're looking for a safe class and a teacher that is able to be attentive to your needs, then Just Breathe Yoga classes in Auckland are something you need to try. You can take a sampler of any two classes for $30. We're looking forward to seeing you.Just Breathe Yoga practices at the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre at 51 Sussex Street in Grey Lynn / Ponsonby, Auckland.

Just Breathe Yoga is an Auckland Yoga Studio that offers small and friendly classes in Hatha / Vinyasa, Restorative Yoga and Yoga Therapy. The Just Breathe Yoga space is led by Gabrielle Matches, a very experienced and respected yoga teacher. She brings to the classes a great eye for observation and a friendly and easy manner that makes Yoga approachable for beginners, and helps keep experienced yogis alert and attentive to their practice. Gabrielle offers private yoga sessions for individuals who have specific requirements that cannot be addressed during class, and also for individuals wanting private lessons. Gabrielle also specialises in Yoga Therapy Consultations.

Yoga Therapy in Auckland

Yoga Therapy sessions can be used to manage a spectrum of conditions and are a way to help individuals address and manage their particular health requirements through a personal Yoga Program that addresses not just the physical, but the mental, emotional and spiritual components as well. Yoga Therapy looks at the whole person. It aims to help you manage your condition(s), reduce or even eliminate symptoms, restore balance, increase vitality, through a personalised Yoga Therapy Program. Yoga Therapy Programs can:

Support your recovery from a chronic or acute health conditionRestore structure, balance and harmony in your lifeBring a practice of Yogic principles to your day-to-day living

In a Yoga Therapy program we bring greater integration to the physical body with yoga asanas and to the breath body with yogic breathing or pranayama. As the flow of vital energy is freed up in the physical body and breath body, this in turn creates greater vitality and integration in our mental-emotional body. This is why many people find that practicing yoga for depression often improves their mood and well-being considerably over time. Yoga Therapy can be used to help treat a range of conditions from depression, high blood pressure, asthma, stress, childbirth angst, or individuals who are looking for a way to heal after cancer treatments. A health professional trained in Yoga Therapy can offer options far beyond what a typical yoga teacher is able to offer. Depending on your requirements our Auckland Yoga Studio may just be what you've been looking for. Come and tryout any 2 Just Breathe Yoga taster classes for $30, or call Gabrielle to arrange an initial Yoga Therapy consultation.

Auckland Yoga Classes with a difference

If you are looking for a boutique yoga offering in the Auckland yoga scene then Just Breathe Yoga might the perfect choice for you. The classes are small and the vibe is friendly. If you're looking for a yoga class where you can move with a smaller group, and have an attentive teacher, then Just Breathe Yoga will be your match. Yoga tights and yoga bodies are not a prerequisite for entry, just a desire to practice yoga. To learn the basics to the more complex; how your body works, how to breathe better, to embrace who you are, and where you are starting from. Prepare to have your notions of what yoga is all about be challenged at Just Breathe Yoga. You will push and stretch yourself in these classes, perhaps to a level of discomfort, the choice is yours. However, you are encouraged to work at a level that is respectful of your body and its current abilities. There is no power yoga here, strength-building is part of the classes, as is working on your flexibility and awareness.

Just Breathe Yoga In all Just Breathe Yoga classes, workshops and Yoga Therapy sessions there is an emphasis on your breath and breathing practices so you are not only engaging your body in movement and poses, but also becoming aware how your breathing impacts your poses. Everything is purposeful, and the awareness of your breathing is the key to it all. Whichever class you take, by the end of it you'll feel any tension and stress you've been holding in your body will have slipped away. With expert guidance from a teacher who observes as much as she teaches, you get much more from Just Breathe Yoga than a workout. You learn how to “work-in” connecting your mind and your body to the soul inside... This is Auckland yoga that is respectful of everyone's abilities and requirements, from beginners to accomplished yogis. Come and find out what Just Breathe Yoga can do for you, your body, and mind at one of our taster classes. The Just Breathe Yoga studio is located within the Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre at 51 Sussex Street, Grey Lynn / Ponsonby, Auckland, with plenty of free parking nearby.