Queenstown's new Unity yoga studio is offering free yoga classes until 31 March to give locals an opportunity to rejuvenate their body and sharpen their mind.
Unity will open its doors on Thursday, 15 March (first class at 7am), offering a range of yoga classes to suit everyone from beginners to more advanced students. Child-care is provided for some classes.
Centrally located at 61 Beach Street (opposite Earnslaw Park, level 2) Unity also has community space for hosting events such as art exhibitions and workshops.
Owners and long-time yoga instructors Lisa Sackville and Mike Graney say: "Our approach to teaching is to make sure that everyone leaves feeling better than when they walked in.
"We give people the flexibility to choose what suits their needs and lifestyle best, so we're offering a range of yoga styles - such as Classic Hatha and Flow Yogas - as well as varying levels of difficulty and day/evening session times."
Unity also has classes to suit specific needs, including athletes, men's bodies, pre-season ski conditioning, and restorative classes.
34-year-old Lisa has practised yoga for many years and found it really improved her physical and mental strength when she competed in the world championships for the US whitewater rafting team from 1997 to 2005.
45-year-old Mike originally chose yoga to complement his profession as a mountain and river guide. During his 22 years guiding he led many expeditions, in particular in Peru, Central America and the Himalayas, which combined mountaineering, white water and tramping.
They are quick to point out that over the years yoga has become more than simply a path to better fitness and performance. It enhances quality of life on all levels - body, mind, and spirit.
The basis of yoga is the complete practice of moving (meditation and preventative medicine) to keep the body toned and the mind sharp. It incorporates balance and flexibility, helps relieve stress, strengthen and tones muscles, and improves overall health and vitality.
Mike says: "Many of the poses cleanse organs like the lungs and kidneys, stimulate the metabolic and digestive process, and improve memory and concentration. Yoga also yields excellent results for chronic pain, muscle tension and injuries."
The men's classes that Mike runs are quite physically demanding: "I focus on a lot of strength-based poses, along with simple flexibility and tension release poses that relax the hamstrings, spine and shoulders, and open up the lungs and chest."
People can either pay per class ($20) or choose from a variety of packages including - classes for $90 -or - buy nine classes and get one free.
Lisa says: "The studio has one of the best views in town which makes it perfect for people to pop in for an hour and come out feeling completely rejuvenated."
Class participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and may bring their own yoga mat if they want to. Mats and lockers are available at the studio.
