2024 Kundalini Yoga Classes
Join Nicky’s new 10-week Kundalini Yoga Course ‘Awakening to Your Ten Bodies’ in person in Witherlea, Blenheim, Marlborough or Online. Book now by choosing your preferred time slot below.
There are three different class times offered. Tuesday mornings, Wednesday evenings or Thursday evenings. Classes are 90 minutes long and include breathing, movement, meditation, relaxation, and mantra. Classes are small and always fill up so book early if you are keen to join.
“Nicky does not offer bulk cookie cutter classes. There is real care in you, an experienced practitioner, genuine warmth and heart. Nicky also provides follow up material. Nicky invests a lot of her personal time over and above the time you spend in class.”
Karen, Yoga & Breathing Student
Thursday evening’s class is a hybrid class. There are 8 places in-person in class OR you can join via Zoom online from the comfort of your home. For added flexibility you can choose to join this class online if you miss class on Tuesday or Wednesday for any reason. The online class is recorded so using the replay at your convenience is another option if you miss class any week.
No meditation or yoga experience is required to join. Some students have been coming for years and some will be coming along for the first time. Everyone is welcome!
Classes are small, relaxed and friendly. The yoga room is open 30 minutes before class if you would like to come and do your own practice or relax or read. Tea is served after class if you have time to stay or want to ask questions or connect with others in the classes.
“Yoga with Nicky has been incredibly positive and uplifting…. I’ve met some amazing people and Nicky has created a very supportive environment. Thank you.”
Erica, Yoga Student
FAQ
Do I need to have any previous Yoga or Meditation experience to join this course?
No this is not necessary. Classes are suitable for those new to yoga and for more experienced practitioners. Each person can practice at their own pace and depth.
How much is the series and how do I pay? Do you have a payment plan option?
The cost for the 10-week series is $250. You can pay directly via the Booking Platform (using a credit card) or use the code ‘Discount’ when booking to make the value $0 and pay direct to Nicky’s bank account (only if in New Zealand). Your place is confirmed once payment is received. For those wishing to pay by cash or TPR or to arrange a payment plan please reach out to Nicky to arrange this.
Can I come along for a single ‘Drop-in’ Class?
Dropping in for a single class is sometimes an option (subject to availability as classes are small and often fully subscribed). If there is a drop-in space available you can join a single class for $35. Payment in advance is required to hold the place for you. Joining for the series is better value and if you are away any week, you can join the online class on Thursday evening or request a recording of that class.
How long is each class?
Each class is 90 minutes in length. The classroom is open 30 minutes before class starts if you would like to come earlier and relax, do a personal practice, or read, and there is tea served after class if you would like to stay and enjoy this.
What can I expect from a Kundalini Yoga Class?
Kundalini Yoga brings together different aspects of yoga: regulation of prana through the control and manipulation of breath (pranayama), posture (asanas), hand or body positions or gestures (mudras), exercise sets (kriyas), sound (mantra), body locks (bandha), relaxation, and meditation.
This type of yoga was designed for the householder (rather than for monks and yogis who withdrew from the world), and is known as a technology of awareness. Knowledge only becomes real wisdom when you experience it for yourself, when it becomes your own personal experience. This experience comes through regular practice. All you need is already with you. The teacher is within.
Do I need to be fit or flexible to start classes?
Not at all! You can participate at whatever level you feel comfortable to without feeling self conscious, it’s a very safe and accepting space. Not only do we all have different needs, we also feel different on different days and respecting our own needs in the moment is part of the practice. Classes have an emphasis on moving with focussed breath and with awareness on the flow of energy rather than on perfecting postures.
They are not intended as fitness classes, they are more focused on personal growth. Some classes may be mainly seated. Other classes can involve standing or postures on the back or stomach or with arms overhead. There is usually an active practice of 1 or more minutes followed by a passive observation of the flow of energy for another minute or more. A series of such practices would typically make up a Kriya.
Relaxation, breathing, and meditation are all important parts of a Kundalini Yoga practice.
What are the mantras used in Kundalini Yoga?
Mantras involve the use of sound and vibration. They are usually chanted in a monotone voice and sometimes in a more singing manner. The sound of your own voice is said to be the most healing of sounds for you.
Mantras are used to stimulate the flow of energy and still the mind. Meridian points are activated as the tongue hits the roof of the mouth and these can have a powerful effect on the brain and master glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal.
Mantras may be repeated out loud, in a whisper, or silently. Most students love the sensation of using their voice as part of their practice even if they have never repeated mantras in this way before. You can also opt just to listen if you prefer, and feel the sensation of sound.
“Every thought has impact and results. To break old patterns, you must take the support of a thunderbolt—a mantra to cut to the core of your negative thoughts and turn their energy to positive. ” Kundalini Yoga Teacher’s Level 1 Manual.
What are the Ten Bodies?
Sometimes we think of ourselves as just a body and a mind. However Kundalini Yoga states that we have ten bodies! They are the Soul Body, the Negative Mind, the Positive Mind, the Neutral Mind, the Physical Body, the Arcline, the Aura, the Pranic Body, the Subtle Body, and the Radiant Body.
Understanding and balancing the ten bodies can help to tap into our dormant potential and better understand the purpose of our birth and life. Each week we will practice a different Kriya and Meditation related to each of these bodies.
Got more questions?
Want to check in with me before you make the decision to sign up? No problem, I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Email me at nicky@yogamarlborough.nz or send me a DM on Instagram @yogamarlborough or text me on What’s App +64 21 0259 2428
2024 Breathing Classes
Join Nicky for a 4-week, 5 session small group Buteyko & Pranayama Breathing Course starting in late February 2024. One course is held in-person in Witherlea, Blenheim and the second course is held Online on Zoom (with replays).
In these small classes you will learn how to breathe better, to recognise and correct dysfunctional breathing patterns (which are very common), and to understand the connection between the way you breathe and your mental and physical wellbeing.
Through simple regular practices in class and during your day throughout the duration of the course, you will be able to make changes to your habitual and automatic breathing patterns; not just while you practice, but all the time.
“Nicky is an excellent teacher of breathing techniques that supported my turning a significant corner in recovery from chronic fatigue. I cannot recommend Yoga Marlborough enough if wanting to deepen wellness by tuning into more awareness of ones physical state. It’s so hard to do this stuff on your own. The classes help immensely.”
G.B Breathing Student
These are very practical and accessible classes that are suited to all. The practices can help you with symptoms of breathing dysfunction such as asthma, allergies, insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety, high stress, racing mind, PTSD, trauma and a range of chronic conditions. They will also help with improving concentration, attention span, focus, fitness, endurance, and energy levels.
Classes combine the wisdom of Yoga Pranayama (Yoga Breathing to help control the thoughts, and to distribute and retain Prana or Life) and the Buteyko Method (a technique introduced by Russian Doctor Konstantin Buteyko in the 1950s) to provide you with a comprehensive understanding and practical tools to make permanent, profound, and positive changes to your wellbeing, personal growth, and happiness.
Gift Vouchers are available and valid for Breathing Courses throughout 2024.
“Amazing session with Nicky today. Sessions are full of information to support breathing exercises to support understanding how the body responds to stress. So lucky to have her as our teacher.”
Fiona, Yoga & Breathing student
Book now for small group courses starting in late February 2024 (in person in Blenheim or Online)
FAQ
Who are these Breathing Classes for?
Classes are for anyone wanting to improve their health, focus, sleep, and fitness by harnessing the power of their breath. The emphasis in these classes is on functional breathing and improving any dysfunctional breathing patterns. These are extremely common and affect nearly all of us.
The timing doesn’t work for my schedule or time zone, how can I still join?
You can opt to follow the small group course via the recorded replays (just sign up for the Online Course option). Or you can organise to work privately with Nicky as an individual, family, friend group, or similar. This can be arranged in person, in company, or Online.
Why improve my breathing, isn’t is automatic?
Yes, breathing does take place automatically and many of us give the way we breathe little thought, we just take it for granted. However, many people ‘over-breathe’ and this has become a widespread phenomenon that is negatively impacting our health as a population.
In these classes we will use simple and effective techniques using the Buteyko Method to make permanent positive changes to our breathing patterns so that we breathe better all the time, even while we sleep!
What is the Buteyko Method?
The Buteyko Method was introduced in the 1950s by Russian Dr Konstantin Buteyko. He had observed how his patients breathing became harder, faster, and more shallow as they got sicker, and introduce techniques to restore breathing to be softer, quieter, more regular, deeper, and lighter. He also healed his own health conditions by improving his own breathing.
Nicky studied with Patrick McKeown of the International Buteyko Clinic in Ireland. Patrick is the world’s leading authority on the Buteyko Method, and studied with Dr Buteyko in Russia. Over the past 20 years Patrick has focused on sharing the techniques with adults and children, and training practitioners all around the world. He has also introduced the Oxygen Advantage using breathing techniques focused more on healthy people wishing to optimise their fitness and performance.
Conditions that has been effectively treated with the Buteyko Method include asthma, allergies, insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety, stress, trauma, PTSD, racing mind, and many chronic conditions. It is also an effective technique to develop more mindfulness, presence, and awareness.
What is Pranayama?
Pranayama is Yoga Breathing. The term translates to English as the management or control of Prana or Life. Prana is absorbed through the breath, the food we eat, and the energy of the sun. Pranayama deals with the most immediate way we can absorb, distribute, and retain Prana, through the breath.
Typically Pranayama practices are introduced very gradually under the guidance of an experienced teacher over a number of years. In these classes Nicky uses her many years of experience with Pranayama to explain and introduce some preliminary Pranayama practices.
How much time do I need to devote to classes and practice over the 4 weeks?
Each class includes both theory and practice. You will learn relaxation and breathing techniques and will then have home practices to do each day between classes. These are designed to fit into your life-style and to suit your needs so that you can start to feel positive changes right from the first week of the course.
The theory shared will help you to understand what the practices are doing and how the changes will affect you.
Classes are up to 75 minutes in length and allow time for asking questions and sharing experiences. We often learn from others questions and experiences and this is a valuable advantage of practising in a small group.
Got more questions?
Want to check in with me before you make the decision to sign up? No problem, I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Email me at nicky@yogamarlborough.nz or send me a DM on Instagram @yogamarlborough or text me on What’s App +64 21 0259 2428
Client Testimonial
I can’t emphasise enough how beneficial this has been through pregnancy, labour and even during post-partum.
Nicky really adapted her techniques to my specific needs at the time and gave me a daily breathing plan which allowed me to relax and take myself
in a safe place. It helped me having an enjoyable and serene first pregnancy experience while working in a stressful job until my baby arrived.
It also truly made a difference during labour. Indeed a regular practice of my customised breathing plan enhanced my focus capacity and allowed me
to have the most perfect labour journey, naturally while managing contractions in a serene way.
Now in post-partum, it helps me dealing with the mental and physical challenges of post-partum and the life changes of maternity.
I am sure it helps me finding the better version of myself for these first weeks with my baby.
Thank you for your unconditional support Nicky, I am very grateful.
