Design your own blissful yoga retreat

Spring that stress out of your life with a variety of yoga forms offered at Mount Maunganui. Photo/Emily from Wild & Grace

A three-day yoga event is being held at Mount Maunganui this weekend to celebrate the arrival of spring.

During the event, participants get to design their own weekend of relaxation and bliss by choosing as many classes as they feel like, says organiser Emily Mowbray-Marks. Rather than being a full-on big festival, "it's more about being heartfelt - of giving people an opportunity to practise and come together", she says.

"The classes are shorter than usual as I don't want newcomers to feel daunted if they're doing it for the first time."

Emily is not a yoga teacher, but has been practising for decades, and she has organised the festival to support the many yoga teachers in the area. "Many years ago I was looking at classes for a friend, and was blown away by the number of beautifully skilled teachers in the Bay."

She says the benefits of yoga practice are many, but personally, "it's like going on a small holiday for an hour", as the many stresses and panicked behaviours of life melt away.

With 23 classes on offer, and 16 teachers coming from down the road or across New Zealand, this is the perfect way for you to pack winter away and put your get-up-and-go-gear on.

Headlining the festival is Yoga Rhythms on Saturday night and on Sunday a Rise and Shine daybreak dance party is being held. Both events are at the Mauao Performing Arts Centre, while all others will be held at the Banks Hall.

As well as traditional yoga forms, the festival offers others, including "punked-up" yoga with circus roots, and laughing yoga for all the family.

"Whether you're looking for some time out just for you, a way to make new friends, a date-day with your partner or a way to spend quality time with the tamariki, this is the festival you've been waiting for," says Emily.

For more information go to: www.littleyogafestival.com

the fine print
What: Little Yoga Festival
Where: Banks Hall and Mauao Performing Arts Centre, Mount Maunganui
When: September 18-20
Tickets: www.littleyogafestival.com