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Saturday Strechy Yoga
Saturday Mornings. (March 7 & 14th + April 4th)
8 am - 9 am
Online & In person at Pure Yoga Home Studio, Torbay
$25 Casual Classes Only.
NB: Class dates vary from month to month.
Saturday morning stretchy yoga
A gentle and intelligent end-of-week practice designed to help you unwind, release tension, and return to ease.
Saturday Stretchy Yoga is ideal for beginners, those new to practice, or anyone seeking a slower, more supportive class to counterbalance a busy week. The focus is on exploration rather than intensity, creating space in both body and mind.
We work progressively and with care, breaking down postures so they are accessible and well understood. Props are used skillfully to support the body, allowing muscles to soften, joints to feel spacious, and the nervous system to down-regulate safely.
Each class targets common areas of physical and mental tightness — hips, shoulders, back and breath, helping to dissolve accumulated tension and restore steadiness. You will be guided to move with awareness, connect with your breath, and develop a deeper sensitivity to what your body truly needs.
Expect a class that is
Supportive and accessible
Structured yet unhurried
Grounded in clear instruction
Focused on release rather than performance
You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more at home in yourself, ready to step into the weekend with calm and renewed energy.
All equipment is provided
I look forward to your presence
Aum shanti Pragyadhara
Class focuses
Week One
Holistic foundations; alignment in asana & linking with the breath, basic breathing techniques & lengthening the breath. Deep relaxation & stillness.
Week Two
Holistic foundations: Pawanmuktasana series - for healthy joints & myofascial tension release.
Week Three
Digestive health series and expanding breath capacity
Week Four
Shifting blocked energy series and alternate nostril breathing + relaxation & concentration practices.
Week Five
Standing series & spinal health, alternate nostril breathing + relaxation & concentration practices.
Week six
Standing series for strength, mobility & toning. Breathing practices & meditation.
All classes include a balance of practices to compliment the specific focus.
We look forward to your presence
Aum Shanti Pragyadhara
Frequently asked questions
These classes are a holistic blend of postures to destress and unwind. Guided breathing practices for healthy lungs and better breathing habits.
Yoga Nidra - deep relaxation to experience a meditative state which augments healing and rejuvenates the body & mind.
Postures called asanas are made accessible to you by either offering alternatives or supported options. Small class sizes make this an intimate gathering where you can derive from personalised input.
Even if your starting from scratch or returning to the mat after a break these classes will leave you revived and centred for your day ahead.
Thats great that you are thinking to support yourself through this with some gentle and rejuvenating Yoga.
Just let me know in advance of joining of any specific injuries or conditions and I will try my best to adapt and incorporate practices that take this into account. I like to plan ahead, so can offer variations and modifications to suit within the context of the class and its ongoing weekly progression. Consider if you need to start with a one to one first so we can assess where you are at & map a way forward.
At Pure Yoga, our Yoga Nidra training goes beyond just teaching the practice; you will take away a deep understanding of the philosophy and science behind Yoga Nidra, as well as the ability to guide others through the practice with confidence and skill.
You will learn how to create and hold a safe space for your clients, offering them a practice that facilitates deep relaxation, healing & meditation.
Our training focuses on practical applications of this versatile technique & trains you in how to deliver it to foster a meditative state in your students.
Additionally, you will receive ongoing support and resources from our community, enabling you to continue growing and refining your practice long after the training is over.
The home practice component of the Yoga Nidra Teachers' Training with Pure Yoga is designed to deepen your understanding and experience of Yoga Nidra first and foremost.
You will be provided with guided recordings before you begin the training and after the immersion. Integration is an essential component of your learning. Instructing others in Yoga Nidra & receiving personalized feedback from our experienced teachers.
You will develop a strong foundation for personal and professional growth in Yoga Nidra.
This class uses gentle Hatha poses both in a supported way for deeper release and as stand alone asanas.
A series of practices are selected & sequenced for you. The sequences target tight shoulders & neck, weak areas in the body & focus on spinal health & integrated breathing.
Close attention & guidance for using the breath in different ways is taught progressively.
Guided Relaxation is included at the end, sometimes Yoga Nidra for a longer experience. This class is particularly good for busy people who need to let go and find a nurturing space for themselves. Beginners, recovering from injuries, pregnancy, getting back to the mat - this is the one for you.
Yes, for entry level students or newbies this course is recommended.
Restorative classes typically include an internalisation sequence that develops the skill of being able to consciously relax & let go. The sequence can be learned & eventually embodied through direct experience. The class also includes supported Hatha poses which are held longer creating space for the breath to work its way through tight muscles & tissues. Breath awareness is an essential component of these classes and various techniques are included designed for effects such as tranquilizing, altering brain wave activity and building alertness whilst relaxed. A perfect wind down after a busy day setting you up for the best sleep ever!
Yoga Nidra is an ancient & profound form of relaxation derived from the body of Tantra (The parent science of Yoga). Yoga Nidra is a systematic progressive technique that is safe and highly effective at inducing deep relaxation. The deeper stages of the practice are designed to bring out the root causes of tension and build a specific skillset that helps to release & eventually let go of them.
Once you enrol in the training you will be provided with audio recordings for the practice to use on a daily basis. This will embed the practice at an experiential level which is a critical factor when it comes to conveying the practice to others.
It is highly recommended that you join an existing Yoga Nidra course being taught by Pure Yoga building up practice experience and keeping a journal of your insights & learning.
Recommended readings will be provided in the info booklet.
Pure Yoga is based on the North Shore in Auckland & teaches local and online classes via zoom, with access to recordings for registered students.
Yes, this course is registered with Yoga Alliance under my YCEP profile
No problem if you are prepared to bridge yourself into the Bihar Yoga methods & techniques and would like to deepen into more of the energetics of practice & lifestyle integration tools.
Joining a block of Pure Yoga courses either online or in person over a 6 - 12 mth period would prepare you for the training.
Yes, if you are sincere in your approach to learning Yoga & building towards personal practice integration then you can apply. Joining a Pure Yoga online or in person course over a period of 6 - 12 mths would be a good preparation.
Ideally you are familiar with the main methods and techniques of the Bihar Yoga Tradition. A classical yoga based system with an emphasis on cultivating a meditative awareness in practice and extending practice into sadhana & yogic lifestyle applications.
Joining a block of Pure Yoga courses either online or in person over a 6 - 12 mth period would prepare you for the training.
Yes, you can if you are able to bridge across to the Bihar Yoga methods & techniques for grounding into them. After completing 6 - 12 mths of courses & training with Pure Yoga you will be well prepared to join us.
Yes, Pure Yoga offers local and online beginner yoga courses for those new to Yoga. Courses focus on building foundational skills in alignment and conscious breathing. Courses are designed for newcomers over a series of weeks which allows for individual attention and practices that build confidence, flexibility, mobility and strength. These courses will set you up to progress further into the Hatha system and to be able to continue at home if that is your goal. For entry level students the Restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra courses are the best fit.
Each class is holistic in nature including physical postures (Asana), guided breathing (Pranayama) & Meditation components. Pure Yoga is passionate about supporting people to integrate Yoga into daily life so shares tips and resources to help you build sustainable tools.
Yes, Pure Yoga has been training teachers for the last 10 years in the classical based Hatha, Raja, Mantra, Bhakti Yoga systems, mentoring students and is currently the Program Advisor for Kawai Purapura Yoga School (RYS), 200 Hr & 500 Hr Programs.
Yes, Pure Yoga travels to locations around NZ bringing speciality workshops, masterclasses & yogic lifestyle events to communities, Yoga studios & corporate settings.
These are mini immersion experiences designed to introduce and deepen connection with the ancient wisdom of mantra yoga. Using sound and vibration as the main mediums of relaxation and turning inwards they include learning a few mantras, pronunciation of sanskrit, naada yoga, kirtan and how to weave mantra into your yoga practice.
Focused on experiential learning and cultivating self-reflective awareness throughout the day. These are suitable for both beginners and those building more mantra elements into their practice.
Thats a great question and many people are discovering the profound effects that the vibrations of chanting mantra creates. Mantras hold a particular frequency and at our most subtle experience we are composed of different vibrational patterns. When the purity of the mantra vibration interacts with our own a cascade of health promoting waves are generated. This helps us to heal, addresses fragmentation and imbalances and provides mental relaxation.
Yoga is a very broad science and originally a lifestyle. Different practices evolved which included tuning into nature and different frequencies using sound. Singing and chanting are part of many ancient cultures. These form a bridge between a person's material existence and the subtle, non material or spiritual world. There were many methods in which to withdraw the mind and turn inwards and mantras have been used in Yoga as a practice to achieve these higher states.
Mantras are revealed sounds that hold a particularly potent vibration. Chanting mantras were considered as an essential part of any undertaking with a desired intent. Mantras as conduits of energy are used to affect our own energy field and also the environment around us. Of, course its an experiential science so dive in and give it a go.
Getting to know the instrument of the voice helps to understand how sound is produced and what mechanics of voice you can use to strengthen your instrument.
Taking the time to break down sounds and learn the sanskrit vowels and consonants.
You are definitely in the right place as singing kirtan is not about what your voice sounds like, rather its about letting go. Mantras when sung have a therapeutic effect on our cells, organs and tissues. It has been proven by science that sound waves affect and influence matter. Mantras are made up of sound waves and generate different frequencies. The vibrational affects of singing mantras can help heal and balance discordance within our own energetic field.
The Early Bird Mantra & Hatha class is a unique fusion vibration, classical Hatha which works with the energy system. It is designed to awaken subtle energy and deepen your personal practice. Starting with mantra chanting, the class creates a potent vibrational field that clears mental clutter, uplifts your mood and mindset, and brings a sense of equilibrium for the day. This is followed by classical Hatha Yoga practices that work with its original intentions of this system for balancing ida and pingala nadis and awakening sushumna.
For experienced practitioners and yoga teachers, this class offers a refreshing return to the traditional roots of Yoga. A space to refine inner focus, build energetic awareness, and reconnect with the intentions of the classical systems. It's especially valuable for those looking to integrate mantra, pranayama and subtle practices into their daily sadhana. Whether you're expanding your teaching toolkit or seeking to enrich your own inner work, this class provides a grounded, authentic, and enriching way to start your day.
Each class is holistic in nature including physical postures (Asana), guided breathing (Pranayama) & Meditation components. The classes also include mantra chanting which can be incorporated into a regular practice. Pure Yoga is passionate about supporting people to integrate Yoga into daily life so shares tips and resources to help you build sustainable life tools.
Thats a great question!
Hatha Yoga when practiced as a progressive system gradually introduces more energy based elements. Once body awareness is built up in a way that the awareness becomes highly tuned to sensations and the individual effects of each asana, then breath and eventually mental & psychic awareness (Chakras) is added.
The masterclasses are longer involving longer holds & more challenging asanas. Awareness is guided to connect more clearly and precisely with the pranic & mental bodies. As tensions held at these levels are released the ability to see these objectively is developed. Lifestyle connections are weaved into each session sowing positive seeds of change.
Ideally the weekly classes supplement your own personal practice and desire to penetrate this amazing system further.
Absolutely! Everyone can benefit from generating more awareness of the breath, their unique patterns of breathing and from exploring the links between body, mind and breath.
Breathe easy you can join!
Shallow breathing is often linked to underlying stress & its activation of the fight/flight/freeze mechanism which prepares the body/mind to address a threat to its survival. This system is protective in nature and helpful in times of real danger, however, if it is constantly running in the background it can deplete nervous energy and with it our level of vitality. knowing how to hit 'pause' & reset this aspect of our internal system is essential to managing this type of breathing. Techniques such as abdominal breathing or natural breath awareness support this.
Even though the meditation sittings are about an hour long each there will be plenty of props to make sitting accessible and easier for you. The morning Hatha Yoga classes are aimed at loosening and preparing the body for stillness, easing out muscular tension especially in the postural muscles. Yoga Nidra - the deeply restorative practice will also help balance out the sitting aswell as taking a walk in the surrounding nature. You will be well looked after in this.
Swami Anandakumar is steeped in meditation for decades and expertly guides according to the level of the group. His cuing and intimate understanding of the mind enable you to fully engage with the instructions.
The meditations are derived from the ancient body of techniques related to Tantra, Vedanta and the Upanishads, preserved and transmitted through the ages from Teacher to student. Sometimes the medium of breath and energy are the focus and sometimes strengthening of the quality of the 'witness or drashta' is developed & used to access a deeper experience.
You can opt to rest in the afternoon time.
Taking a walk in the surrounding nature, enjoy a spa or sauna to decompress and relax.
Finding a quiet place to journal in the garden seats or sunny deck areas.
No problem, just tell us before-hand what these are in the enrolment form and we will do our best to adjust and include food that is suitable. The catering is done onsite so if you have particular ingredients you need to have these can be included for those with special requirements.
Pure Yoga offers a range of speciality workshops that provide the time and space for going deeper into different practice elements. Bihar Yoga is a very broad and comprehensive approach which seeks to integrate all aspects of our personality. A range of educational resources are provided and most days include plant based catered lunch and chai.
Some workshops are in collaboration with other Yoga Teachers with specialty areas of expertise like Sanskrit, mantra chanting or Ayurveda making these a premium experience for those who join us.
The length of the workshops varies but most are either a day or half day long, usually 9 - 5 pm in various locations that are handpicked for their ambience, simplicity and connection with nature. You can also customise your own length in a collaboration with Pure Yoga.
The retreats tend to run from 3 - 5 days structured as a complete reset and get away time to focus on yourself and let go of tension and blockages. These are run at various locations in and around Auckland but sometimes the Bay of Plenty, Sth Island and places that offer sanctuary and peace.
The Yoga training for Teachers & steady practitioners is configured differently each year. Sometimes as weekend immersions or as a residential immersion. In 2025 this training will run over 7 months and includes 13 immersion days.
One of the unique aspects of Bihar Yoga is that it is highly adaptable and designed for every level of practitioner. In practical yoga sessions modifications and alternatives are provided. Pragyadhara will respond directly to your registration asking a few basic health and injury questions so options can be prepared in advance.
Pure Yoga is grounded in years of meditation practice and training in the classical forms of meditation that are aimed at building the specific skills of meditation and extending these into everyday life so that transformation occurs in a gradual yet lasting way.
The techniques include both dynamic and static forms of meditation that prepare the body and mind for inner work. Specific techniques that help to embody relaxation, stillness, witnessing the mind, utilizing breath and energy include; Yoga Nidra, Body stillness, Steady Gazing (Trataka), Inner silence (Antar Mouna). How to use a mala for meditation and gaining a clear understanding of different energy systems and its influence on mental patterns (Vrittis, Samskaras).
The classes begin & end with centering in the present moment. Yoga Nidra a deep relaxation practice and one that embeds the essential skills of meditation is used to release tension. A seated meditation practice follows which builds and hones awareness from the gross (body) to more subtle layers of your being (mind, prana & subtle bodies).
The essential skills of meditation are highlighted in these courses, working to build up from simple to more complex. These skills are broken down each week and linked with lifestyle integration.
The techniques are the building blocks of these skills and vary from Yoga Nidra to body based meditation. Some techniques include breath & energy as the main focus. More advanced practices work more directly with the mind & psychic bodies.
Pure Yoga Home studio (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-36.6899178,174.7535413/pure+yoga/@-36.6899317,174.7512419,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d0d3bf0a290e741:0x6a64c8afaac2bfe5!2m2!1d174.7535537!2d-36.6899456)is located in Torbay, Long Bay on the North Shore of Auckland.
It is a fully equipped studio space next to the ocean with high quality Manduka Yoga Mats, custom hand-made bolsters, blankets & meditation cushions. Pure Yoga strives to source eco friendly, natural based products and support local businesses.
Yes, Pure Yoga has experience working with clients with health challenges, psycho-somatic based imbalances, anxiety, depression, common injuries, beginners through to advanced practitioners. I have trained Yoga teachers since 2009. I combine my vast yogic knowledge and experience plus 20 years of dedicated practice and yogic living to create a session that works for you.
Thats a great question. If you have an established yoga practice you would well know the benefits that they bring however have you considered what more you could derive from your practice in terms of the energetic, mental or psychic effects. I can guide you to that deeper level of experience.
Pure Yoga is a home based studio on the clifftops in Torbay with the most expansive views. A dedicated studio space, fully equipped with natural and locally sourced products. A community space that invites the senses to slow down and for you to nurture yourself. I teach community classes here, regular events and one to one programs.
The range of practices includes yogic hygiene practices, lifestyle consultations, postures for general health & wellbeing, a curated sequence to address a particular health issue like digestive issues, insomnia, anxiety, postural imbalances etc.
The classes are generally holistic in nature including a balanced program of postures, breathing techniques and/or guided meditations/relaxation. You can select to include more or less of the different elements which can then be sequenced for optimal effect.
The range of practices includes yogic hygiene practices, lifestyle consultations, restorative poses for deeper release of muscular and mental tension. Correction of faulty breathing or mouth breathing which can contribute to poor sleep. Deep relaxation tools to learn how to consciously relax and set yourself up for the best sleep.
What CLIENTS Say
I have been a student of yoga & meditation for many, many years and a teacher now for the last 7 years. I've been blessed with the most amazing teachers from various traditions who have each given me special gifts. I was so lucky to begin my 500 hour teaching journey with Pragyadhara this January in a restorative yoga, breathing and yoga nidra course at Kawai Purapura. This and the proceeding study have provided the gateway to the most phenomenal shift in my personal practice and teaching.
Pragyadhara embodies yoga for me. A font of traditional wisdom imparted with deep humility and expertise.
I am grateful for the opportunity I had in working with Pragyadhara. I will be back for more. You should too.
Kate McLeay (Hawkes Bay)
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