UNikUM – uniquely you – Holistic and individual guidance through Yoga, Ayurveda and Astrology in Wanaka

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Holistic and individual guidance through Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Ayurveda and Astrology in Wanaka

With the offerings at UNikUM we endeavour to share our wealth of experience and vast knowledge in the field of health and wellbeing mainly on a personal basis. Astrology and Ayurveda consultations are always conducted as private meetings. Now we also offer Yoga in its traditional form of a private class. This enables us to work with our clients individually.

Welcome to UNikUM – the brainchild of Swiss-born Doris & Urs Blum

In January 2021 we moved from Hawke’s Bay to Wanaka after having lived in Havelock North for 26 years. The immersion into Yoga since 2000 culminated in the opening and running of our own Yoga studio (breathe) in Havelock North in 2010.

However, as not everybody is able to attend private Yoga sessions, we will also offer group Yoga classes in unique locations in and around Wanaka. Check out the ‘Classes Events Retreats‘ page. Our retreats with specific topics are another way to bring the benefits of Yoga, Ayurveda and Astrology to the community.

Are you keen to be informed about our offerings? Please subscribe on the ‘Get in touch‘ page.

Join us at UNikUM to attain and maintain calmness, balance, strength and flexibility of body, mind and spirit and stretch away your stresses.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is the dance of the breath with the body, and the mind – a moving meditation. Let us share this dynamic and transforming practice with you.

Yoga is a philosophy of life, which also has the potential to create a vibrantly healthy body and mind. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, practised in its correct sequential order, gradually leads the practitioner to rediscovering his or her fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness … physical, psychological and spiritual. Through this practice of correct breathing (Ujjayi Pranayama), Postures (Asanas), and gazing points (Drishtis), we gain control of the senses and a deep awareness of ourselves. By maintaining this discipline with regularity and devotion, one acquires steadiness of body and mind.

Ashtanga literally means eight limbs. They are described by Pantanjali as Yama (Abstinences), Niyama (Observances), Asana (Postures), Pranayama (Breath control), Pratyhara (Sense withdrawal), Dharana (Concentration) Dhyana (Meditation), and Samadhi (Contemplation). These eight branches support each other. Asana practice must be established for the proper practice of Pranayama, and is a key to the development of the Yamas and Niyamas. Once these four externally orientated limbs are firmly rooted, the last four internally orientated limbs will spontaneously evolve over time.

Vinyasa means breath synchronised with movement. The breath is the heart of this discipline and links asanas in a precise order. By synchronising movement with breathing and by practising Mula and Uddiyana Bandhas (locks), an intense internal heat is produced. This heat purifies muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins as well as releasing and circulating beneficial hormones and minerals, which can nourish the body when the sweat is rubbed back in the skin. The breath regulates the Vinyasa and ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is a light, strong physical body. There are three groups of sequences in the Ashtanga system. The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga) integrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility. Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of the asanas is to be meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further.

Breath: The continuity of deep, even breathing cannot be over-emphasised in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga System. When breath feeds action, and action feeds posture, each movement becomes gentle, precise, and perfectly steady. According to the teachings of Shri T. Krishnamacharya, “Breath is Life”.

Sri T Krishnamacharya — Sri T Krishnamacarya in Upward Facing Dog

Breathing is our most fundamental and vital act and holds a divine essence; each exhalation is a movement towards the Divine, and each inhalation is an inspiration from the Divine. Our last action in life is to exhale, which is, in essence, the final and total surrender to the Divine.

Practice: It is said that where there is no effort there is no benefit. Strength, stamina, and sweat are unique aspects of this traditional system of Yoga, seemingly contrary to Western perceptions of Yoga. This demanding practice requires considerable effort and taps into and circulates a vital energy (Prana) throughout the body, strengthening and purifying the nervous system. The mind then becomes lucid, clear and precise.

This is a link to a led class by our teacher John Scott: https://youtu.be/ElvlmtgbnH0

We are teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga either in our 1 on 1 sessions as well as at unique events around Wanaka (Led class or Mysore [self-practice]). Check out our ‘Tailored Sessions’ and the ‘Classes Events Retreats’ pages for regular or one-off classes as well as upcoming events.

If you are keen to joining our regular classes and are new to Ashtanga, we offer you a one intro session (45 mins) at a special rate of $30. This gives us time to explain the practice in more detail and we also get to know you better. And you can check us out too. Additional fee if room hire required.

Yoga classes on video
Do you prefer to practice when you feel like?
We have created several 90 minutes Yoga classes (1 x Ashtanga and 7 x Hatha) that you can download. They are perfect for anyone who prefers to do a home yoga practice. $ 20 / video.

Yoga podcasts with Doris
Yoga for men
Yoga & Anxiety

Interesting Yoga readings – enjoy!
BayBuzz Magazine March/April 2017 p30-38: Yoga in Hawke’s Bay
Yoga: A Beginner’s Guide
Why The Over-50s Are Embracing Yoga
Could You Have Disordered Breathing?
7 Reasons Men Should Do Yoga: Gentlemen Get on Your Mats
Breathe. Exhale. Repeat: The Benefits of Controlled Breathing
Rhythm of Breathing Affects Memory and Fear
Mindfulness May Rival Talk Therapy For A Variety Of Mental Health Issues
Meditation and Breathing Exercises Can Sharpen Your Mind

Ayurveda

“The great thing about Ayurveda is that its treatment always yields side benefits and not side effects”. Shubhra Krishan

In 2007 I (Doris) started studying Ayurveda Medicine (sister science of Yoga), which resulted in my graduation from Wellpark College in Auckland with a Diploma in Ayurvedic Lifestyle Management in 2009. Since then I offer regular consultations for health and well-being according to this ancient science of life.

Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that originated in India several thousand years ago. Unique in its approach by assessing and treating each individual body-type, it is a highly personalized system based on natural principles. Our lifestyle, environment, work, diet and daily activities can create good health and happiness, or they can cause imbalances that lead to disease. Ayurveda emphasizes the prevention of disease and the rejuvenation of our body systems.

The theoretical side of Ayurveda provides insights into how to live one’s life in harmony with nature and the natural laws and rhythms. Its practical side gives guidelines for an intelligently regulated diet and daily routine, techniques for stress management and exercises for increased fitness and alertness to control our lives and develop radiant health.

An Ayurvedic consultation with me analyses your current state of health. It empowers and supports you to take charge of your life the way it should be; free of dis-ease and disturbances. The key is to understand your Self in relation to nature and all that which surrounds you. I guide, instruct and support you to attain this understanding and to develop a lifestyle that is curative and supportive to your needs. Happiness is a birth right whether we realize it or not, we all seek it.

Zoom sessions have become very popular world-wide.

Are you in need for balance? Please call me (021 146 0199) for an appointment or with any questions you might have.

Ayurveda podcasts with Doris
Doris and Christina Richter talk about Ayurveda
Ayurveda preventive care – the path to good health
Ayurveda & menopause 1
Ayurveda & menopause 2

Interesting Ayurveda reading – enjoy!
Premodern Yoga Traditions and Ayurveda: Preliminary Remarks on Shared Terminology, Theory, and Praxis

Astrology

Astrology provides us with enriching tools to understand ourselves, others and the world around us. It offers a window into each individual and its unique potentials. Clarity is found where questions arise related to work, partnership, health, finances, etc. Let me guide you on your path through the mysteries of life illuminated by a road-map of stars.

Astrology is the practice of determining information about the nature and course of a person’s life based on the study of the positions of the planets at the moment a person is born. If you are in need of direction, a chart reading will be an enlightening experience for clarity and insights into your life. The stars and the planets are our greatest navigation tools. Let me be your guide.

Since April 2022 I work closely with Lauren Roxburgh from Aligned Life Studio and create their monthly Astrology newsletter / blog (see below for details & links).

What do I need from you?
I require your precise birth time, birth date and birth place in order to find out where the planets were at the time you were born. The birth time is a crucial piece of information. Most people know their birth details, so this usually is not an issue.

What if you don’t know your birth time?
– Ask your parents or family
– Look in your Plunket book (usually, if your parents kept a Plunket book, the time is recorded in there)
– Check your birth certificate
– See a Homeopath for muscle testing. This is a good option if you have a rough idea at what time you were born

Zoom sessions have become very popular world-wide.

For face-to-face consultation, a digital recording is also provided.

Do you need clarity in any area of your life? Please call me (021 146 0199) for an appointment or for any questions you might have.

2024: Insights into the cosmos monthly
https://mailchi.mp/21278a176626/insights-into-the-cosmos-for-january-2024

If you like what you read in my monthly ‘Rendez-vous with the Stars’, you might like an astrological reading with me, or gift one to a loved one. It can be a general reading or I can look at the new year ahead of one’s birthday, called a Solar birth chart. Astrology provides anybody with enriching tools to understand oneself, others and the world around you. It offers a window into each individual’s personality and its unique potentials. If you are in need of direction, the reading of your birth chart is an enlightening experience for clarity and insights into your life affairs and into yourself. As the sky speaks to you, I am here to understand its language and guide you.

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