Yogatherapyworks

Yogatherapyworks Yoga therapist, Christchurch NZ
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There's something quite magical about the impact of combined therapies to target client's specific needs and allow optim...
05/06/2026

There's something quite magical about the impact of combined therapies to target client's specific needs and allow optimal movement to be accessible, and more easeful

When soft and connective tissue tension is present (for all sorts of simple, and complex reasons) it can be challenging to move in functional ways that are needed to break cycles of compensatory muscle, fascia and lymphatic congestion & allow the experience of pain free movement to land in these body-minds we're in..especially after injury..and longer term recovery when things might have been ignored a little, or placed in the it'l come right box of wishful thinking..anticipatory tension really is a thing...and so hard to prevent when our nervous systems are hard-wired to avoid danger, and protect us from harm

The neuro-muscular responses to injury and impaired movement are complex, and can take some unravelling to find the space and capacity for restoration and full recovery

I always feel incredibly privileged to be able to utilise a wide range of manual therapy options to facilitate movement and the path for self-care recovery and rehabilitative movement

Whether hands-on soft tissue work is provided by me, or in collaboration with other practitioners I liaise with - the most important person is the client, and their unique expertise in what they're experiencing

No-one else knows what that feels like

This is where we start

www.yogatherapyworks.as.me to book

Why does a yoga therapist teach one-to-one and group pilates?Skip to the end...it works!If you're background curious, I ...
01/06/2026

Why does a yoga therapist teach one-to-one and group pilates?
Skip to the end...it works!

If you're background curious, I started teaching at Movementor Pilates Pilates before I did my first yoga teacher training as its foundational principles create the possibility for somatic, physiological, and functional movement that can support health, body-mind awareness and longevity.
Whilst I moved away from regular class teaching for many years as I immersed in advanced yoga teacher and yoga therapy training I maintained a personal practice and have always used foundational pilates with one to one client work - particularly for back pain, pelvic floor, breath, and spinal health support.

There's a lot of presence and maybe a little hype about reformer pilates at the moment
I stand as firmly as I ever have in my belief that mat based pilates is a wonderfully challenging and enjoyable body-mind practice that helps so many people gain agency, strength, stability and greater mobility

Whether you seek a home-based personal practice, or the camaraderie of a group class - give it a go
A good pilates teacher will help you to discover how to move your body and gain the balance of stability and mobility that's right for you

It's not an either, or with yoga and pilates - I love them both!

Our next Diamond Harbour pilates class is full but if you have some experience PM me for potential casual class attendance (2 June - 7 July 6.10pm)

For other class options see Movementor Pilates Pilates in Beckenham

For personalised practice sessions go to https://Yogatherapyworks.as.me/121pilates

29/05/2026

Join the waitlist function now available in my booking system 👏🏼
If there's a specific slot, or range of dates that you'd like an appointment that aren't available when you hop on to book "Join the waitlist" allows you to select a particular day / time, or range of dates so that you're automatically contacted by text / email if a cancellation slot pops up that might suit you

No pressure - add, remove, or adjust your place on the waitlist at any point with no obligation to take a slot if one comes up
..should be a whole lot more efficient than me texting around & waiting for responses to juggle session availability at late notice

Let's see how it goes!!

thank you Scheduling

Understanding the key features of scoliosis:*back pain*movement restriction*compensation*muscular & fascial tensionWhils...
19/05/2026

Understanding the key features of scoliosis:
*back pain
*movement restriction
*compensation
*muscular & fascial tension

Whilst it's functional and helpful to have curvature of the spine in forwards and backwards directions (like an S curve viewed side on), the side to side curvature of scoliosis is a clinical condition that impairs movement of the spine in its usual planes.

Rotation (or twisting) becomes easy to one side, and restricted, and even painful in the other.

The same is true in side bending patterns (lateral flexion).

Head, neck, and shoulder movements can be affected as the spine rotates on itself and structures realign around the midline that keeps us upright and mobile.

This can all affect the health and function of the thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and pelvic positioning - thus affecting whole body movement patterns and habitual ways of moving, and doing things.

People are not always aware that they have scoliosis as the changes creep in and feel 'normal'

Yet pain tends to also creep in
Sometimes people just get used to being uncomfortable, having back pain, or finding certain things difficult, or impossible to do...

There is another way though!

Yoga therapy offers detailed structural and functional assessment, movement repatterning guidance, and self care movement and/or breath practice..

We can change how you move, limit or reverse curvature progression, relieve pain and discomfort, and make more things possible!

Check out Www.yogatherapyworks.co.nz or Www.yogatherapyworks.as.me for info and appointment scheduling
😃

Sometimes my work seems to follow themes - like a week of clients with hip, lower back, or leg pain related to sacro-ili...
08/05/2026

Sometimes my work seems to follow themes - like a week of clients with hip, lower back, or leg pain related to sacro-iliac, or other pelvic structural anomalies that have arisen from injury, repetitive movement, underlying vulnerability, or muscular spasm (invariably occurring due to one of the aforementioned 3)

Appropriate structural alignment of the 3 major bones in the pelvis is critical to facilitate movement of the 2 pelvic halves in opposite, yet simultaneous directions around the sacrum

This sacro-iliac joint forms the platform to support the whole spine, and movement / or lack of movement within it affects the angle of the pelvis and activation of supporting muscles for the pelvis, hips, lower and mid back

When the SI joint gets stuck or restricted the discomfort or pain triggers a 'lock down' response to surrounding muscles which is the opposite of helpful in these situation
Muscle spasm and contraction further reduce joint mobility - triggering more pain...and another spasm shut down response that no amount of stretching or massage will relieve for long

Typical symptoms are:
~ difficulty lifting the hips or buttocks to turn over in bed
~ pain and reluctance to bend down, or get back up again without leaning on / pushing off your thighs
~ sacral pain
~ lower back tension
~ difficulty weight bearing through one leg
~ difficulty climbing stairs
~ uncomfortable to painful sensation when walking
~ pain when sitting and / or trying to get up from sitting

Adjusting the boney alignment without also tending to muscular and fascial tension may only relieve the discomfort for a short time as muscles re-spasm

A gentle pelvic reset with manual therapy + learning individualised release movement practices and repatterning are my strategy for long lasting relief and recovery

It works!
It helps
It empowers clients to self care & learn to prevent recurrence

What people say about Abhyanga - traditional Ayurvedic warm oil massageAbhyanga focuses on the body areas where marma po...
02/05/2026

What people say about Abhyanga - traditional Ayurvedic warm oil massage
Abhyanga focuses on the body areas where marma points are most present and significant
These energetic acupressure points have incredible potential to harmonise body-mind states into deep relaxation and subconscious awareness
Whether you choose head, face, feet, hand , or a magical combination massage - you'll experience a deep sense of self and what it's like to rest into being

For all ayurvedic treatment options click here https://Yogatherapyworks.as.me/ayurveda

Or read more here https://yogatherapyworks.co.nz/bodywork/ayurvedic-massage

Mother's day gift ideas?Ayurvedic massage treatments are a great option as a therapeutic treat for someone important in ...
24/04/2026

Mother's day gift ideas?

Ayurvedic massage treatments are a great option as a therapeutic treat for someone important in your life ~ and something that we might be less likely to book for ourselves

Gift vouchers are available for all Ayurvedic treatments and yoga therapy sessions here https://tinyurl.com/YTWgift

Select from:
~ 40 minute Head, Foot, or Face
~ 75 minute Head and Foot, or Face and Foot combo
~ 15 minute add on hand massage
~ 45 minute hand and arm massage & tuition package for self care guidance

~ 45, 60 and 90 minute yoga therapy consult & treatment

🥰

Redeemable at at the Tannery & Pura Bay, Diamond Harbour

see https://yogatherapyworks.co.nz/ for all services

I've been waiting for this one!Super happy that this incredible product is now available from Shakti Mat I'm privileged ...
20/04/2026

I've been waiting for this one!
Super happy that this incredible product is now available from Shakti Mat
I'm privileged to be part of the pool of product evaluation professionals for Shakti (based here in Christchurch) & got to test and feedback on the recently released back and belly band.
It's so useful - with and without the acupressure spike pad for:
*Sacroiliac support and pain relief
*Lower back pain
*Reduction in protective, yet unhelpful muscle spasms in back, pelvic, and hip pain or injury recovery
*Menstrual cramps
*Bloating and IBS relief
*Back body breathing
*Pelvic prolapse and post operative support
*Abdominal and pelvic lymphatic drainage

Highly recommended for self care, support and maintenance
For more details check out https://www.shaktimat.co.nz/products/acupress-back-and-belly-band

Most of the clients I've loaned mine to have loved it & will be stoked to be able to buy their own now
At $129 it's a great long-term investment

Thank you Shakti Mat
🙏

Address

The Well Whole Body Studios/The Tannery, Woolston + Purau Bay, Diamond Harbour
Christchurch

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 6:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 6:30pm

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