Letter from our Yoga New Zealand – Council Chair Heather Robinson

Kia ora koutou

On behalf of Yoga New Zealand, I want to personally reach out and check in with you in these very unpredictable times and, importantly, let you know we are here to help! Our sympathies are with studios and teachers in Auckland as they are still unable to safely teach in person at this time.

We are so pleased Yoga Studios located in new level 2 lockdown are (or will be) able to open, despite calls from some high profile epidemiologists calling for all exercise facilities to close during Level 2. We appreciate this comes with challenging restrictions regarding distancing, using the covid tracer app, mask wearing. What you may not be aware of, however, is the advocacy work from our parent organisation ExerciseNZ, which ensured Yoga Studios could reopen and, just as importantly, ensured those who wish to practice yoga can do so safely together in their community. Click Here to listen to ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie interview on Magic radio, an example of how we challenged the rhetoric around ‘exercise’ venues being unsafe – this is why we believe having a New Zealand based body such as Yoga New Zealand is so important.

You can find more about our work at Yoga New Zealand including free CV-19 resources a detailed framework that outlines mask policies, distancing rules and answers lots of detailed questions about operating a yoga studio/class at the new Level 2.

For those that would like to know more about Yoga New Zealand, I invite you to explore the website where you can read about our vision (we are dedicated to the development, nurturing, and support of the yoga profession in Aotearoa) and our values. You can also find out more about the people behind Yoga New Zealand and our Yoga New Zealand Council. We are made of people just like you – Studio owners, Yoga teachers, and Yoga Therapists.

In recognition of these challenging times, we would like to invite those who are not yet members of Yoga New Zealand to join. To help, we are waiving all joining fees till the 1st October, so feel free to pass this on to your teachers. Membership information (use a Yoga New Zealand coupon code: JOINTODAY).
Finally a reminder we are here to support you, reach out if we can help in these challenging times.

He waka eke noa (A canoe which we are all in, with no exception)

Heather Robinson
Council Chair
Yoga New Zealand
Noho ora mai, Stay well