Following the successful launch of Hindi Classes in Rotorua on 2 October 2021, Hindu Council of New Zealand is now launching Free Yoga and Dance Fitness Classes for the public of Rotorua with the support from Movewithmonz from Sunday, 14 November.

Movewithmonz is organising six free sessions every Sunday (4.30 pm to 6.00 pm) from 14 November at Playtopia Educare, 2 Ti Street, Rotorua. It includes 45 minutes of dance fitness and 45 minutes of basic yoga sessions. The program is open for all ages. These yoga and dance fitness classes will be conducted by Monika Bansal, yoga instructor who organised Health for Humanity Yogathon in Rotorua.

“Initially, we aim to register around 25 people for these free sessions. There is a lot of interest and over 15 people have already registered. The sessions will be full of fun and encouragement,” said Monika Bansal.

“I enjoy teaching and sharing the joy of dance and yoga to public. That is my contribution to the community. So, spend your Sunday afternoons at Playtopia Educare from 16:30 to 18:00 to re-energize yourself for the new week,” she added.

Playtopia Educare’s vision is Community Development through Childcare Education. Recently, Playtopia Educare celebrated Mindfulness week. Mindfulness is the highest level of awareness of being in the present moment without predicament in a focused manner. Studies have shown that children practicing mindfulness are observed to have improved Executive Function skills that shows improvement in focus, impulse control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and emotion regulation.

Some countries (e.g., United Kingdom) have introduced mindfulness as a subject and students from over 370 schools in UK are practicing mindfulness to improve their mental health. In recent years, many schools and organisations in New Zealand are practicing mindfulness and have noted that this has increased the number of achieving students.

Mindfulness techniques are not only making them feel better in the short-term but also better equips these children for the long-term. It helps build resilience, ability to cope under pressure and remain calm regardless of what is happening around them.

Yoga brings together the wellness of body and mind. Yoga and mindfulness can help people achieve a stress free and peaceful mind. These free yoga sessions are a step towards enabling the community/public of Rotorua to learn basic yoga which they can continue practicing in their homes, with their whanau.

“I am very thankful to Playtopia Educare OSCAR programme for providing the space for this community program,” Monika Bansal said.

We have limited space available. For registration, email [email protected] or [email protected].

Please bring your own:

• Water bottles
• Yoga mat/any sheet/towel for the yoga class

All Covid-19 Alert Level protocols as set by the government will be observed at these sessions.

For more information, please contact:

Prof Guna Magesan, +64 21 034 5621

General Secretary, Hindu Council of New Zealand