About oodia
oodia yoga offers yoga and wellness sessions for all ages and all bodies in the Auckland area. Providing a relaxed, safe space for students to play, discover, connect and relax without fear of judgment. On a physical level, sessions help develop strength and flexibility while providing a framework where we can listen to ourselves, find connection and bring calm to our busy lives.
About Dawn
I started using yoga to help me recover my strength, both physically and emotionally after a period of prolonged illness. Learning to take each day as it comes was a huge challenge and was a lot easier to say than to put into practice. Using yoga and simple mindful focus proved invaluable in my recovery, and prompted a ‘mind-shift’ for me.
The desire to further my knowledge of yoga led me to my first teacher training course and qualification as a Registered Yoga Teacher in 2018. This was such a positive experience for me. I was aided by outstanding facilitators (Sandey Hoskin, Fiona Liu, Kylie Rook) who encouraged and supported students to ‘step into their power’ and embrace their true calling. I began to ease my way through the fear of not being enough and became a Yoga Teacher.
As I took my deep dive into yoga I wished that done so as a young person as I really felt it could have helped me when figuring out ‘who i was’.. So when thinking how I could best share what I had learned, it seemed quite natural to think about teaching kids, and the people who look after the kids – Teachers! This meant additional training in Kids and Family Yoga as well as Teen Yoga. I am also a trained ‘Pause Breathe Smile’ educator (NZ’s school-based mindfulness programme) and I now teach yoga to students from age 2 right up to the twilight years and everything in between.
All Kids and Family sessions are based around fun and connection. These need to be exciting enough to keep young minds engaged and so are a mix of exercise, games, activities and relaxation with the aim to always ‘make it fun’.
My Adult yoga classes draw on numerous genres but whatever the style of yoga class being taught, I focus on balancing physical challenge and mental/emotional focus within a relaxed atmosphere to help each member of the class receive whatever it is that they need from their practice that day.
Since launching myself as a full-time Yoga Teacher I have also trained in Sound Healing, Reiki Healing, Crystal Healing and Thai Yoga Massage – all of which I now use in my practice and teaching.
Yoga provides me with space to disconnect from ‘the busy’ and connect to myself, the opportunity to explore and question what is going on in my body and my headspace. As a teacher, it is a privilege to be able to share that tool with others who are searching for their own ‘clarity’.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find yoga for me and my family?
Family Sessions are held once a term at Om Yoga Studio in Stonefields.
Adult Classes are held at Kohi Yacht Club, Kohimarama on Tuesdays at 6pm.
Can I organise sessions for my business?
Absolutely – it’s a pleasure to bring yoga into the workplace! Ideal to bring your workers:
- Muscular relief
- A sense of calm
- Increased energy levels
- Improved mental focus
I can provide mats and props if necessary, or for something less intensive I can offer Chair Yoga and Meditation/Relaxation.
You can email, call or message me to discuss options and pricing.
Am I too old, unfit, inflexible for yoga?
No! Yoga is for every body. It is a practice that can be made accessible to everyone regardless of age or mobility.
You may not be able to put your leg behind your head but you can still benefit from yoga as long as you modify to suit your own body. This is something I am passionate about offering in my classes so you can expect to be offered many options and always given the opportunity to rest.
Is there a Yoga Teacher qualification?
Yes. Although anyone can set themselves up to teach yoga, there are some assurances you can look for when choosing a teacher.
- A Yoga Alliance qualification – I have a 200hr E-RYT (Experienced Yoga Teacher) certificate and a RCYT certificate in Children’s Yoga. I am also a YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider) which allows me to teach other Teachers.
- Additional training in specific areas of yoga – 100 hrs with Teen Yoga Foundation, 40 hrs with Menopause Yoga, 300 hr training modules: Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Anatomy & Physiology, Philosophy, Psychosomatics, Creative Sequencing.
