Over the past few years, Hayley Holland has developed a warm yoga community in Castlecliff with classes in the picturesque beachfront Duncan Pavilion.
Now Hayley has stopped running the classes, but Simone Summer Higgie is continuing them and keeping them affordable and accessible, thanks to the support of Progress Castlecliff.
After 10 years in Australia, Simone has recently moved back to hometown Whanganui, to live in Castlecliff with her partner Ivan Vostinar.
"I am thrilled to become part of this wonderful community and to contribute to it by nurturing people's yoga practice. The physical movement, breathing, and meditation aspects of yoga can enhance health and well-being, for example by improving the immune and digestive systems, soothing the nervous system, and by increasing mental clarity," says Simone.
She began learning the basics of yoga movements and breathing in Whanganui 12 years ago. Since then, yoga has helped her stretch, relax, and recover from the stress of her postgraduate study at the University of Queensland and from the physical exertion of her rock-climbing hobby.