Erika josa I grew up in France where I spent most of my childhood in a lovely little village called Lagrasse. It was a wonderful place to grow up - in between nature and medieval architecture. I moved to beautiful New Zealand in 2005 and it was this move that sparked my passion for health and wellbeing. My yoga journey started slowly by attending the occasional class to supplement my other physical exercise. In 2011 I got injured and stopped my regular high intensity activities to practice yoga daily hoping it would help me heal. That regular daily practice during those three months provided me complete injury recovery and it also meant I would not need surgery. However, little did I know that this was also the starting point for my life-long yoga practice that would eventually affect every aspect of my life and transform me as a person. My passion for yoga continued to steadily grow over the following years and I became a qualified Hatha yoga teacher in 2012. I also studied complementary fields of health that have added to my knowledge. These areas include: sports and exercise science, ayurvedic medicine, anatomy, nutrition, sports massage, coaching, and neuro linguistic programming. I have brought all of these disciplines together to form part of my personal and teaching practice for my own yoga journey as well as my students benefit. Then in 2014 I realised my long-term dream. I opened The Yoga Lounge Studio in central Wellington. My vision has always been to own and run my own Shala that has a sense of welcoming and community - as well as provide an open, caring environment for my students. It has required determination and hard work to realise this vision - but I’m so happy with how the community has grown, how good teachers have gravitated to the studio - and how our students have deepened their yoga practice. With the supportive community at the Shala and my own practice, I have developed a distinctive teaching style with my students that's very holistic in its approach. I draw on all my life experience, study and professional background and bring these elements together into my classes and my practice. Working this way requires me to constantly evolve, learn and grow as a student, a yoga practitioner and a teacher. I love the challenge this brings and how it also contributes to my own journey. I am always seeking, looking to grow, and looking for opportunities to learn. It is this same keenness that led me to find Ashtanga Yoga and my dear teacher - Mike Berghan who I'm so thankful for his guidance over the years. I also regularly attend workshops with the amazing Peter Sanson and feel very lucky to have such a knowledgable guru to be studying under in New Zealand. So where to from here?! I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s next for me, my practice, my students, and the Shala. The road I have traveled so far has been very eventful - sometimes difficult and challenging, but also SO very rewarding - and I know there is much more to come. Siri K Pattabhi Jois said ‘practice practice and all is coming’ - and it is absolutely true. I come back to this quote again and again because for me it is what yoga has been and is for me. Do the work - there is no magic pill (thank goodness) - and the rewards will come along the way. What a journey it has been!

Erika josa

I grew up in France where I spent most of my childhood in a lovely little village called Lagrasse. It was a wonderful place to grow up - in between nature and medieval architecture. I moved to beautiful New Zealand in 2005 and it was this move that sparked my passion for health and wellbeing.

My yoga journey started slowly by attending the occasional class to supplement my other physical exercise. In 2011 I got injured and stopped my regular high intensity activities to practice yoga daily hoping it would help me heal. That regular daily practice during those three months provided me complete injury recovery and it also meant I would not need surgery. However, little did I know that this was also the starting point for my life-long yoga practice that would eventually affect every aspect of my life and transform me as a person.

My passion for yoga continued to steadily grow over the following years and I became a qualified Hatha yoga teacher in 2012. I also studied complementary fields of health that have added to my knowledge. These areas include: sports and exercise science, ayurvedic medicine, anatomy, nutrition, sports massage, coaching, and neuro linguistic programming. I have brought all of these disciplines together to form part of my personal and teaching practice for my own yoga journey as well as my students benefit.

Then in 2014 I realised my long-term dream. I opened The Yoga Lounge Studio in central Wellington. My vision has always been to own and run my own Shala that has a sense of welcoming and community - as well as provide an open, caring environment for my students. It has required determination and hard work to realise this vision - but I’m so happy with how the community has grown, how good teachers have gravitated to the studio - and how our students have deepened their yoga practice.

With the supportive community at the Shala and my own practice, I have developed a distinctive teaching style with my students that's very holistic in its approach. I draw on all my life experience, study and professional background and bring these elements together into my classes and my practice. Working this way requires me to constantly evolve, learn and grow as a student, a yoga practitioner and a teacher. I love the challenge this brings and how it also contributes to my own journey. I am always seeking, looking to grow, and looking for opportunities to learn.

It is this same keenness that led me to find Ashtanga Yoga and my dear teacher - Mike Berghan who I'm so thankful for his guidance over the years. I also regularly attend workshops with the amazing Peter Sanson and feel very lucky to have such a knowledgable guru to be studying under in New Zealand.

So where to from here?! I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s next for me, my practice, my students, and the Shala. The road I have traveled so far has been very eventful - sometimes difficult and challenging, but also SO very rewarding - and I know there is much more to come. Siri K Pattabhi Jois said ‘practice practice and all is coming’ - and it is absolutely true. I come back to this quote again and again because for me it is what yoga has been and is for me. Do the work - there is no magic pill (thank goodness) - and the rewards will come along the way. What a journey it has been!

Julia Maria Seemann I was born in Germany where I spent a happy childhood with my parents and two sisters in a little village near Frankfurt. When I was 18 I left home and moved to Ireland where I studied and lived for 4 years. Love and a scholarship brought me all the way to New Zealand where my journey with yoga began. In 2006 I started taking classes with Kelly Mara and Peter Henneveld at Yoga Central and I realised how great my body felt after the practise. As my practice grew, I was drawn to Astangha Yoga and begun to practice at Te Aro Asthanga with Mike Berghan. What I love about Ashtanga is its continuous flow of movement and breath which creates a deeply meditative state. Sometimes it is hard to calm the mind, especially after a working day or any day in this busy corporate world. The counting of the breath that is particular to Ashtanga is a very great tool, it allows us to think ‘nothing but the breath’ and focus on what is going on the inside. The energetic flow of movements creates a great amount of sweat and internal heat that helps purify the body and increase the flow of prana. Some people say Ashtanga is just for flexible people but I would rather say it is for people who would like to increase their flexibility and strength. I was very stiff when I started to practise and I suffered quite a lot of back pain due to scoliosis. A regular yoga practise has resolved all these issues, my back is fine also because it has become so much stronger. I completed my 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training in 2010 in Byron Bay, Australia. In 2013 I went to Mysore, India, to train for two months with Sharath Jois at the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. My practice and teaching is also indebted and inspired by the amazing teachers and yogis Peter Sanson and John Scott. Yoga has changed my life. Not only in terms of a strong, flexible and healthy body but also in terms of being able to use the tools of yoga in my daily life. The practise makes me calm and centred. It is much easier to meet the challenges of daily life with a focused mind and a happy heart. I love sharing yoga with other people. It is like when you find the greatest imaginable treasure. All you want is to share this joy with everyone else.

Julia Maria Seemann

I was born in Germany where I spent a happy childhood with my parents and two sisters in a little village near Frankfurt. When I was 18 I left home and moved to Ireland where I studied and lived for 4 years. Love and a scholarship brought me all the way to New Zealand where my journey with yoga began.

In 2006 I started taking classes with Kelly Mara and Peter Henneveld at Yoga Central and I realised how great my body felt after the practise. As my practice grew, I was drawn to Astangha Yoga and begun to practice at Te Aro Asthanga with Mike Berghan.

What I love about Ashtanga is its continuous flow of movement and breath which creates a deeply meditative state.
Sometimes it is hard to calm the mind, especially after a working day or any day in this busy corporate world. The counting of the breath that is particular to Ashtanga is a very great tool, it allows us to think ‘nothing but the breath’ and focus on what is going on the inside.
The energetic flow of movements creates a great amount of sweat and internal heat that helps purify the body and increase the flow of prana.

Some people say Ashtanga is just for flexible people but I would rather say it is for people who would like to increase their flexibility and strength. I was very stiff when I started to practise and I suffered quite a lot of back pain due to scoliosis. A regular yoga practise has resolved all these issues, my back is fine also because it has become so much stronger.

I completed my 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training in 2010 in Byron Bay, Australia.
In 2013 I went to Mysore, India, to train for two months with Sharath Jois at the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. My practice and teaching is also indebted and inspired by the amazing teachers and yogis Peter Sanson and John Scott.

Yoga has changed my life. Not only in terms of a strong, flexible and healthy body but also in terms of being able to use the tools of yoga in my daily life. The practise makes me calm and centred. It is much easier to meet the challenges of daily life with a focused mind and a happy heart.

I love sharing yoga with other people. It is like when you find the greatest imaginable treasure. All you want is to share this joy with everyone else.

Stephanie Middleton I believe that ultimately, we become our own best teachers and there is nothing more motivating than immersing oneself into a journey of self-discipline that is infinitely interesting and challenging for body, mind & spirit. This age-old practice offers so many health benefits and assists us to become much more in tune with ourselves. I first began practicing yoga in 2013 while experimenting with ways to incorporate more stretching into my daily routine. My first vinyasa class struck several chords (and muscles) and I was hooked instantly. The magic of yoga had sparked within me and there was no looking back. Apart from being immersed in the rich tapestry of life that comes with nurturing three beautiful children through their formative years, growing up in the bush-clad hills and beaches of Eastbourne has certainly had an influence on my love of the outdoors. Being a self-confessed exercise addict, whether training for half-marathons, tramping, horse-riding or skiing, remaining still has never come naturally. After sustaining a couple of fractured ribs in 2015, I was fortunate in being introduced to my instructor and mentor, Erika Francesca Josa, founder of The Yoga Lounge, who offers along with her team of talent, a well-rounded range of tailored classes. Apart from healing my physical body, my training and studies in yoga with Erika has shaped and reconditioned the way I make choices. It is a powerful tool that everyone can tap into themselves. I love yoga and am discovering that I love teaching yoga mainly because I want my students to feel as energised and grounded and as I do through daily practice, whether it be a dynamic power class or a gentle flow. Also, knowing that they are in a safe-haven for all levels and abilities and can apply the skills and challenges we experience on the mat out into our everyday life. ‘Practicing yoga does not eliminate life’s challenges, and neither does it provide us with a convenient trap-door to escape from life’s distractions. Instead, Yoga gives us the skills to meet life head-on with dignity and poise’. Quote by Donna Farhi .

Stephanie Middleton

I believe that ultimately, we become our own best teachers and there is nothing more motivating than immersing oneself into a journey of self-discipline that is infinitely interesting and challenging for body, mind & spirit. This age-old practice offers so many health benefits and assists us to become much more in tune with ourselves.
I first began practicing yoga in 2013 while experimenting with ways to incorporate more stretching into my daily routine. My first vinyasa class struck several chords (and muscles) and I was hooked instantly. The magic of yoga had sparked within me and there was no looking back.

Apart from being immersed in the rich tapestry of life that comes with nurturing three beautiful children through their formative years, growing up in the bush-clad hills and beaches of Eastbourne has certainly had an influence on my love of the outdoors. Being a self-confessed exercise addict, whether training for half-marathons, tramping, horse-riding or skiing, remaining still has never come naturally.

After sustaining a couple of fractured ribs in 2015, I was fortunate in being introduced to my instructor and mentor, Erika Francesca Josa, founder of The Yoga Lounge, who offers along with her team of talent, a well-rounded range of tailored classes.

Apart from healing my physical body, my training and studies
in yoga with Erika has shaped and reconditioned the way I make choices. It is a powerful tool that everyone can tap into themselves.

I love yoga and am discovering that I love teaching yoga mainly because I want my students to feel as energised and grounded and as I do through daily practice, whether it be a dynamic power class or a gentle flow.

Also, knowing that they are in a safe-haven for all levels and abilities and can apply the skills and challenges we experience on the mat out into our everyday life.

‘Practicing yoga does not eliminate life’s challenges, and neither does it provide us with a convenient trap-door to escape from life’s distractions. Instead, Yoga gives us the skills to meet life head-on with dignity and poise’.
Quote by Donna Farhi

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Ari Goldstone Yoga has been a meaningful part of my life for almost twenty years. I started practicing Ashtanga yoga in 2000 when I was living in Auckland. I subsequently moved to New York for six years and Sydney for three years before settling in Wellington in 2013. During those years, I was fortunate to experience the teachings of many great yogis including the late Sri K.Pattabi Jois, Manju Jois, Greg Tebb, Eddie Stern, David Swenson, David Roche and Dena Kingsberg. I currently practice daily under the guidance of Stewart Harris, as well as regularly attend Peter Sanson's workshops. Yoga has given me a sense of wellbeing. It assisted me managing stress when I was working in a busy corporate office and helped me through the pregnancies and births of three daughters. I'm also grateful to have met a large number of wonderful people in the yoga community. It is such a joy to share what I've learned through yoga and I'm appreciative of Erika for giving me an opportunity to teach at Hot Yoga Lounge. .

Ari Goldstone

Yoga has been a meaningful part of my life for almost twenty years.
I started practicing Ashtanga yoga in 2000 when I was living in Auckland. I subsequently moved to New York for six years and Sydney for three years before settling in Wellington in 2013. During those years, I was fortunate to experience the teachings of many great yogis including the late Sri K.Pattabi Jois, Manju Jois, Greg Tebb, Eddie Stern, David Swenson, David Roche and Dena Kingsberg. I currently practice daily under the guidance of Stewart Harris, as well as regularly attend Peter Sanson's workshops.

Yoga has given me a sense of wellbeing. It assisted me managing stress when I was working in a busy corporate office and helped me through the pregnancies and births of three daughters. I'm also grateful to have met a large number of wonderful people in the yoga community. It is such a joy to share what I've learned through yoga and I'm appreciative of Erika for giving me an opportunity to teach at Hot Yoga Lounge.

.

Lindsey Corbett When I was nineteen, I completed my yoga teacher training with my teacher, Hilaire Lockwood, in my hometown in the United States.  Since then, I have felt profoundly lucky to have had my yoga practice as a constant source of support. Not only has my mat provided a literal bed over countless layovers in airports all over the world, but it has been my foundation in the figurative sense. Yoga, after all, is simply learning how to fall; my yoga mat has caught me when I have fallen (often) in the States, Europe, Southeast and East Asia, India, and now New Zealand.  In a culture that feels increasingly commercial, studying Sanskrit and embracing yoga as it is traditionally taught in India have been ways to preserve my integrity as a yoga teacher. This is at least in part what informs my interest in studying ashtanga yoga: I am grateful for an opportunity to navigate my own yoga practice within a lineage of remarkable teachers. As a teacher myself, I feel immensely privileged to share a practice that carries such a profound power for guiding healing, finding peace, and enacting change.

Lindsey Corbett

When I was nineteen, I completed my yoga teacher training with my teacher, Hilaire Lockwood, in my hometown in the United States. 

Since then, I have felt profoundly lucky to have had my yoga practice as a constant source of support. Not only has my mat provided a literal bed over countless layovers in airports all over the world, but it has been my foundation in the figurative sense. Yoga, after all, is simply learning how to fall; my yoga mat has caught me when I have fallen (often) in the States, Europe, Southeast and East Asia, India, and now New Zealand. 

In a culture that feels increasingly commercial, studying Sanskrit and embracing yoga as it is traditionally taught in India have been ways to preserve my integrity as a yoga teacher. This is at least in part what informs my interest in studying ashtanga yoga: I am grateful for an opportunity to navigate my own yoga practice within a lineage of remarkable teachers. As a teacher myself, I feel immensely privileged to share a practice that carries such a profound power for guiding healing, finding peace, and enacting change.

Chantal Lynne Chantal views health from a holistic standpoint, with the strong belief that the benefits of practicing yoga can transform the physical and mental body. She teaches in a way that cultivates a comfortable environment, gives students the opportunity to go inward throughout their practice, using their breath to facilitate centering. Chantal teaches with a focus on alignment and the use of props, working to increase strength, mobility and flexibility in the body, while creating a space for ease and personal growth through developing a mind body connection. Chantal studied her 200hr and 300hr advanced yoga training in Indonesia from a Vancouver based Hatha-Vinyasa school, where she deeper explored her passion for exercise physiology, yoga philosophy, and meditation. She creates a welcoming space that allows yoga practitioners to embrace their practice no matter their level, and to work towards exploring how yoga resonates uniquely within them. With a background in Primary School Education, Chantal’s love of yoga has led to her bringing movement and mindfulness programs into schools to manage anxiety and emotion control, foster children’s understanding of self love and individuality, and to encourage healthy bodies, minds, and feelings from a young age.

Chantal Lynne

Chantal views health from a holistic standpoint, with the strong belief that the benefits of practicing yoga can transform the physical and mental body. She teaches in a way that cultivates a comfortable environment, gives students the opportunity to go inward throughout their practice, using their breath to facilitate centering. Chantal teaches with a focus on alignment and the use of props, working to increase strength, mobility and flexibility in the body, while creating a space for ease and personal growth through developing a mind body connection.

Chantal studied her 200hr and 300hr advanced yoga training in Indonesia from a Vancouver based Hatha-Vinyasa school, where she deeper explored her passion for exercise physiology, yoga philosophy, and meditation. She creates a welcoming space that allows yoga practitioners to embrace their practice no matter their level, and to work towards exploring how yoga resonates uniquely within them.

With a background in Primary School Education, Chantal’s love of yoga has led to her bringing movement and mindfulness programs into schools to manage anxiety and emotion control, foster children’s understanding of self love and individuality, and to encourage healthy bodies, minds, and feelings from a young age.

 
Kasey Oomen Kasey first found Yoga in 2011 but it wasn’t until 2012 when she really needed the practice that she realized its power. Originally having begun Yoga for its physical benefits, namely injury prevention and management; through practice she started to notice that the benefits of Yoga were far reaching, beyond the asana. Yoga is a transformative experience. It is through Yoga that I have learnt to be grounded, patient and at peace within myself. It has helped me overcome many of my anxieties, and it has helped me realise realistic expectations. You can exist in Yoga and it’s enough; you don’t need to be an acrobat or a gymnast. Your practice is your own. Kasey has studied Exercise Science, Pilates, meditation and Yoga. She currently teaches: Pilates, Hatha, Yin, and Vinyasa alongside her other commitments in competitive pole dancing, and studying the Earth and Environment. Prior to her Yoga teachings she was: a Group Fitness Instructor in Pilates (mat and reformer), Pump, Spin, Swissball, Step, and various other classes; a Wellbeing Consultant, and a Personal Trainer.

Kasey Oomen

Kasey first found Yoga in 2011 but it wasn’t until 2012 when she really needed the practice that she realized its power. Originally having begun Yoga for its physical benefits, namely injury prevention and management; through practice she started to notice that the benefits of Yoga were far reaching, beyond the asana.

Yoga is a transformative experience. It is through Yoga that I have learnt to be grounded, patient and at peace within myself. It has helped me overcome many of my anxieties, and it has helped me realise realistic expectations. You can exist in Yoga and it’s enough; you don’t need to be an acrobat or a gymnast. Your practice is your own.

Kasey has studied Exercise Science, Pilates, meditation and Yoga. She currently teaches: Pilates, Hatha, Yin, and Vinyasa alongside her other commitments in competitive pole dancing, and studying the Earth and Environment. Prior to her Yoga teachings she was: a Group Fitness Instructor in Pilates (mat and reformer), Pump, Spin, Swissball, Step, and various other classes; a Wellbeing Consultant, and a Personal Trainer.

Summer Faulkner Summer first started attending yoga classes while living in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Being a very active person she came to yoga purely for the physical benefits and as a way to meet people in a new city. Summer then moved to Borneo, where she met her yoga teacher Jani Jaatinen and her real yoga journey began. Jani encouraged her to take responsibility for her own practice and to explore yoga, beyond just asana practice. He slowly helped her to build a dedicated daily practice and introduced her to pranayama, meditation and yoga philosophy. At the start of 2016 Summer completed her Hatha Yoga teacher training course in Bali with Jani. Summer sees yoga as a constant balance, between strength and softness. Her enthusiasm for yoga continues to grow as she observes the benefits it has on her physical body, mind and entire lifestyle. Summer also works full time as a water engineer, so yoga provides a nice balance to that part of her life. She is super excited to now be able to share what she has learnt along her own journey with others. Summer believes that yoga is for everyone who is willing to give and that the depth of your yoga practice is not proportional to the level of your asana practice.

Summer Faulkner

Summer first started attending yoga classes while living in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Being a very active person she came to yoga purely for the physical benefits and as a way to meet people in a new city. Summer then moved to Borneo, where she met her yoga teacher Jani Jaatinen and her real yoga journey began.

Jani encouraged her to take responsibility for her own practice and to explore yoga, beyond just asana practice. He slowly helped her to build a dedicated daily practice and introduced her to pranayama, meditation and yoga philosophy.

At the start of 2016 Summer completed her Hatha Yoga teacher training course in Bali with Jani.

Summer sees yoga as a constant balance, between strength and softness. Her enthusiasm for yoga continues to grow as she observes the benefits it has on her physical body, mind and entire lifestyle.

Summer also works full time as a water engineer, so yoga provides a nice balance to that part of her life.

She is super excited to now be able to share what she has learnt along her own journey with others. Summer believes that yoga is for everyone who is willing to give and that the depth of your yoga practice is not proportional to the level of your asana practice.

Jana Grossmannova My love for yoga began 7 years ago after I’ve “coincidentally” completed a Hata Yoga Teacher Training in India. Since than through regular practice I’ve started to develop deep connection, understanding and love for my physical body, which lead me on a path of becoming a nutritionist, medicinal herbalist and holistic health practicioner. A few years back I’ve developped a carpal tunnel syndrome which didn’t allow me to continue my power vinyasa practice so I’ve  stared To practice yin yoga instead. I’ve realised that regular yin yoga practice is an inevitable part of maintaining a balance and connection in life. This led me to complete a Yin yoga Teacher training in November 2017 with Joe Barnett which deepened my passion, understanding and importance of yin yoga practice in our lives and realised the desire to share my passion.  I’m very grateful for each and every moment in this wondrous journey of life and grateful to Erika for providing me the opportunity to teach in her wonderful studio.    Blessings Jana   

Jana Grossmannova

My love for yoga began 7 years ago after I’ve “coincidentally” completed a Hata Yoga Teacher Training in India. Since than through regular practice I’ve started to develop deep connection, understanding and love for my physical body, which lead me on a path of becoming a nutritionist, medicinal herbalist and holistic health practicioner.

A few years back I’ve developped a carpal tunnel syndrome which didn’t allow me to continue my power vinyasa practice so I’ve  stared To practice yin yoga instead. I’ve realised that regular yin yoga practice is an inevitable part of maintaining a balance and connection in life. This led me to complete a Yin yoga Teacher training in November 2017 with Joe Barnett which deepened my passion, understanding and importance of yin yoga practice in our lives and realised the desire to share my passion. 

I’m very grateful for each and every moment in this wondrous journey of life and grateful to Erika for providing me the opportunity to teach in her wonderful studio. 

 

Blessings

Jana