Nicky's life experience led her to embrace yoga and all its practices
“I teach yoga because having experienced myself the incredible benefits and changes that a regular practice can impart on your life, I absolutely believe in the possibility of every person, no matter their age or health condition, enjoying their own practice and improving their own wellbeing – and then relishing the widespread impact on those around them.”
In my early thirties I had three large, healthy, bouncing baby boys. I needed some “time out” and to learn to “relax and breathe”.
A caring and well informed friend suggested I join a yoga class. So there I was at 7 o’clock on a Saturday morning driving half way across town to the ‘recommended’ class. Some thought I was nuts – but I was soon hooked. The benefits I felt were unmistakable – a much more relaxed mind helped with clarity of thought for organising and planning our busy, expanding family; having a calmer demeanour created a more peaceful home environment and greatly contributed to the happier person I was becoming; I felt stronger and more capable physically and a totally unexpected side effect I had not counted on was the aching lower back pain I had suffered from for years slowly but eventually, completely disappeared.
Major life changes saw me enrol in the one year full time Yoga Diploma course at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies. Their courses are internationally recognised (IAYT, Yoga Alliance and NZQA-approved).
I undertook the course purely for my own benefit. I had no intention to actually teach. But after a year of studying anatomy and physiology, philosophy, Ayurveda, yoga practices, teaching skills and the clinical application of yoga as well as experiencing the benefits of a regular practice first hand – I simply could not just keep this life changing knowledge to myself.
I started with a small studio at home teaching friends and as the space became too small for the numbers interested in learning and practicing for themselves, I moved to local venues around Auckland.
I am constantly soaking up new ideas and practices to try and to implement into my own practice and share through my classes. I had heard of Yogalates and after investigating the concept and programme I decided to commit to the course run only in Australia. Going with a somewhat hesitant view that it could surpass a ‘pure’ yoga practice, I was blown away. The quality of the research, the programme, the training, the incredibly comprehensive detail and commitment to nothing short of excellence in the presentation, delivery, teaching and sharing of this thorough exercise practice.
I now teach a full yogalates practice in my community classes - to the enjoyment and benefit of all my regular class participants.
In 2014 I undertook a 6 month full time course, again at Wellpark College and qualified as a Relaxation Massage Therapist. I also have level 1, 2 and 3 Reiki Masters certificate.
I find the practices I have learnt complementary to one another, and beneficial for me as a teacher, enabling me to really help clients address issues as they arise in life.
I love what I do and am motivated to help others, inspired by seeing the positive results we can create.