Broga: Yoga for men at new studio

 

Mangawhai has a new space for yogis with the opening of Tara Retreat Yoga Studio.

Yoga Alliance accredited yoga teacher Glen Crofskey was stoked to finish his new studio on Tara Road recently and says he is keen to use this dedicated yoga place to pass on his knowledge to residents and visitors alike. Glen has been practicing yoga for over eight years and knows from experience how yoga can heal the body.

“When I first started yoga classes I couldn’t touch my knees. I had lost a lot of feeling on one side of my body and was in chronic pain after dislocating my neck and back in a near-death mountaineering accident in the Southern Alps.

“Yoga helped me recover by slowly realigning my spine and increasing my flexibility.”

Glen hopes his classes will benefit everybody, from practicing yogis to those who are interested in giving it a go for the first time.

“If you can breathe, you can do yoga. There are many misconceptions about yoga being an austere spiritual practice or involving extreme bodily contortions, when really it is simply about raising your awareness by challenging past tendencies or habits.”

Glen takes an integrated approach to yoga that fuses As-tanga, Iyengar and Tibetan forms. He says there is no absolute “right” way of doing yoga, but what is important is that it is appropriate for each individual.

On Wednesday evenings from 6pm he will be running “Broga” – yoga classes tailored for men. Glen says the emphasis for blokes will be on easing into becoming more flexible, fun strength work such as arm balances and destressing through introducing mindfulness in a relaxed environment.

On Saturday mornings there are two open classes that aim to give you an energy boost by combining vinyasa (flowing movements synchronised to breath) with asana (postures).

Glen is currently undertaking a six week course at Kawai Purapura in Albany on inversions – or turning yourself upside down through head, forearm, shoulder and head stands.

You are welcome to email Glen with any questions or to register your interest at tarare-treat@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/tararetreatyoga

AWARENESS: Local yoga teacher Glen Crofskey and daughter Matisse (6) overlooking Mangawhai Estuary.

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