October 2026 Newsletter

October 2026 Newsletter

Kia Ora Connect Yoga Whānau,

Please take the time to read our October Newsletter.

Classes resume next week (Week of 5 October)

Classes resume next week, 5th of October. Please note that Ed will be covering Jill's Monday evening class on the 5th and Jill's Friday class (on the 9th of October) will be cancelled, as Jill is taking a much needed escape to Fiji for the week.

Please also note that there will be no class on Labour Day, Monday 26th of October.

A message from Ed 

A Month of Gratitude

September has been a month of gratitude, and I have certainly had plenty to be grateful for.

I’m so grateful that I had the time and ability to fly across the world and spend some precious time with my father in Cape Town — taking him for ice creams, cold beers and enjoying all the simple things in life was beautiful.

Returning to the shores of Aotearoa and stepping straight back into our Connect Yoga community has been special. I love turning up on a Wednesday and Thursday, seeing the familiar faces and sharing our practice together. That first week back, being able to thank you all as a community, was phenomenal.

Throughout the month we’ve explored gratitude through our practice — beginning with gratitude for our community, pushing ourselves with Camel Pose, and then turning our attention to our marvellous bodies. We focused on strengthening our shoulders, with Eagle Pose as our peak pose.

Yoga is such a wonderful reminder that there is so much to be grateful for in our bodies: the ability to move, breathe, stretch, balance and simply practise together.

A Thank You to My Yin Yogis

A special thank you to my Thursday night Yin yogis for understanding the need to book into class at least 24 hours beforehand. If we don't have five people booked, we can cancel the hall without having to pay for an unused space.

I really do appreciate your understanding, and as I have mentioned, Thursday evenings are a highlight for me.

Welcome, ClassPass!

We’re excited to announce that Connect Yoga is partnering with ClassPass!

A certain number of spaces in our classes will now be available for ClassPass members to book. This is a great opportunity to spread our wings, introduce more people to yoga and hopefully welcome some new faces into our wonderful community. This also means that it is important to book your space in advance to ensure we have enough space and props available. 

Our Hall Refurbishment

Finally, our hall is getting refurbished, and it is going to be beautiful!

Work begins on 14 December, so our last class before the Christmas break will be 11 December. We’ll also have our farewell drinks on Monday 7 December, so save the date!

The refurbishment is expected to run until after Waitangi weekend. During this time, we’ll hopefully be taking some classes outside, with locations to be confirmed.

Thank you, as always, for being part of Connect Yoga.

Come to class, get on your mat, take a breath, and enjoy.

With gratitude,
Ed

A message from Jill

A Month of Gratitude

 

There have been plenty of challenges, and once again I’ve found myself thinking, surely things will slow down soon! Yet somehow, the busyness of life continues — work, family, commitments, and all the little pressures that seem to fill our days.

Through it all, I’ve found myself returning again and again to my yoga practice. More than anything, I’m grateful for the grounding and steadiness it offers me. It is one constant I know I can always return to, no matter what is happening around me.

I’ve also been making a conscious effort to cultivate gratitude each day. Sometimes that looks like writing down what I’m grateful for, sometimes it’s sharing something around the dinner table with my family, and sometimes it’s simply taking a quiet moment at the end of my own practice. And when I invite you, as a class, to pause and bring something to mind that you’re grateful for, I make sure I take that moment too.

Life will always have its ups and downs, but this month has reminded me that gratitude doesn’t mean everything has to be easy. It’s about noticing the good that exists alongside the challenges.

And for that, I am deeply grateful for my practice, and especially for the wonderful Connect Yoga community we are creating together.

Mental Health Awareness Week 12-18 October

October 12-18 is Mental Health Awareness Week in NZ. This year's theme is 'Belonging Matters,' a very powerful and fitting theme. Connection and the sense of belonging fosters our mental health and overall sense of wellbeing. For more information be sure to check out the Mental Health Foundation Website.

With Gratitude,

Jill

Thank you all for being part of our wonderful yoga community. We are grateful for each and everyone of you. We cannot wait to welcome you onto your mat.

Namaste,

Ed & Jill

 

 

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