Yoga for Matariki involves reflection, grounding, opening the heart space, reaching to the Matariki Stars and our Higher Self.

Matariki a time of connecting, renewing and growth. Traditional cultures and many African, Indian people have to live in the moment, in the now, to survive, we as a developed society, are trying to relearn this – reconnecting with ourselves, with other people on a deeper level, with nature, earth /whenua, with our spirit/wairua.

Yoga in Sanskrit means yoke – connecting/ uniting  with ourselves, the different aspects of our being – mind, body, spirit and with our own nature,  and with the nature of mother earth.

Grounding involves bringing our scattered thoughts and thinking mind down into our bodies, being more present, being. To be grounded is to be embodied – listening to the intelligence of the body -mind, breath, body in the same place at the same time.

The simplicity of connecting to the earth and nature, bowing to the earth, knowing we are part of something bigger than ourselves – strong earth, flowing rivers, tall mountains, stormy seas, stardust in the sky.

Awareness of the Earth element gives stability, strength, security, tapping into the calmness of the earth, feeling we are a part of the earth which feeds and shelters us, we feel a secure heaviness but also it is energising – we can draw energy up from the earth through our body, and also send excess energy down. ‘Let the natural expression of the Earth rise up through the body’

Connecting with our roots – family , friends, morals. Renewing our sense of standing our ground, being down to earth, steady. We bring our awareness to Foundation poses, rooting down to rise up, finding stability.

Opening our hearts, sharing, giving, finding gratitude with what we have and what we have to give- yoga helps bring our awareness to these intentions during Matariki.

At Matariki time, an ancient tradition of yoga is the Havan or Fire Ceremony . It has many deep symbolic meanings including the burning off of impurities (tapas), the transformative energy of fire/agni, the sacrifice of goodwill/yajna. Fire ceremonies remove negativity, purify the atmosphere and bring prosperity and good fortune. It is a lovely time to celebrate with family and friends around a Havan.

Also, a time for story telling, reflection, revisiting Samskaras / past actions. Yoga helps us allow or let go some of these.

Matariki heralds the beginning of a new life cycle and celebrating our unique place in the world.  We celebrate the stars, return of the sun, bringing light, Father Sky / Ranginui and give respect to the whenua on which we live, gratitude to our mother earth, Papatūānuku.