Te Whare Tapa Whaa is a profound model of wellbeing that many are familiar with here in Aotearoa. We believe it is incredibly important to bring in models and wisdom from our own culture into our Yoga practice whilst still honouring the roots and wisdom of Yoga and various other ancient teachings from all over the world, combining the teachings of our ancestors and those before us.

Pillars of Te Whare Tapa Whaa:

TINANA ( Physical Health)
Through intentional, inclusive, somatic & trauma sensitive movement and deep rest; We create the possibilities to find balance and harmony within the physical body. This includes but is not limited to nervous system health, musculoskeletal health, respiratory health, and immune health. The body does not operate in isolation, so taking a whole body holistic approach is essential.

HINENGARO (Mental & Emotional Health)
Through developing loving awareness and increasing your capacity to feel in time you begin to know yourself more intimately and meet yourself with tenderness, understanding, and gratitude. Naturally you begin to widen your window of tolerance for pendulating between the whole spectrum of human thoughts and emotions with equanimity and resilience.

WHAANAU (Family & Social Connection)
Humans need connection, a sense of belonging, and to feel nurtured, supported, and cared for. From both a mental/emotional AND physical point of view. Here at Maarama Wellness Studio we believe in creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming community with opportunities to help one another out, connect, laugh, cry, and encourage. A space to call “ours”.

WAIRUA (Spirituality)
Spirituality can feel and look different from one person to the next. There is no ““right” way to be spiritual. We like to think of wairua as having a deep and loving connection to Self. The Self resides within each and everyone one of us as a pure and untouched source of wisdom, love, and light; your true nature. Yoga can deepen and strengthen this relationship with Self but ALSO any chosen faith.

WHENUA (The land on which you stand)
Whenua connects us to the land on which we dwell recognising that it is a source of nourishment and sustaining life. It also describes our sense of belonging through social groups, communities, and the ancestors before us. We practice this pillar/pou in Yoga by having a deep connection to the earth and its ability to ground and hold us as we are (all parts welcome). Grounding inot the earth is an imperative part of every practice.