Yoga with Melissa Gardiner
Yoga is a deep and insightful practice that brings One many Joys, and an embodied experience of Being.
At its most basic, it helps balance your nervous system so you can cope more easily with everyday life pressures and stress.
The beauty is it can be practiced by anyone. You don’t need to be flexible or be a particular age, size or shape to enjoy and grow through the practice of Yoga.
Classes Offered
Beginners – not currently on offer
Suitable for those who haven’t practiced Yoga before, or for those who haven’t practiced for some time. This is a slow paced course with focus on the basic skills for standing postures, forward bends, twists, back bending and sun salutations.
Time will be spent feeling into the body, working closely with your breath and posture. People leave this course feeling a greater sense of connection to their body & Self and a confidence to continue on their Yoga journey.
Level 1
These classes do vary each week and may include gentle warming practices, somatic movements, various Yoga asanas (postures) and sequences, sun salutations, meditations, iRest® Yoga Nidra, breathing practices and restorative postures.
Level 2
These classes include the same variety as mentioned above and are generally of a higher intensity than a Level 1 class and include inversions.
If you’re unsure which class is right for you, please reach out to Melissa.
Restorative
These classes include gentle warming movements, somatics, pranayama (breathing practices), chanting, meditation, iRest ® Yoga Nidra and of course our restorative poses.
With restorative poses the body is completely supported with blankets and bolsters, in comfortable positions, and the poses are held for 10-20 minutes. These classes are wonderful for restoring the body to its natural and calm state of being, and for building energy. A deeply nourishing class.
To attend the Restorative classes online it is helpful to have at least one bolster at home to support you with setting up for the restorative positions. However, I have had people make do with blankets, pillows and cushions. In this situation you need to be prepared to take the time to figure out how to set up, so the body is completely supported so you can enter deep states of relaxation and rest.
“Restorative Yoga is one of my favourite practices. Life is busy and at times stressful – numerous details, endless lists – always doing! I love letting this busyness go, releasing into the support of the props, the mind becoming quiet and relaxed, allowing myself to simply be. A sense of being nurtured, a strong feeling of coming home and a resulting rejuvenation on many levels.”
~ Melissa Gardiner
Private Tuition
A private Yoga session is exactly that… private, so it means that the session is based completely around YOU and your needs. I’m happy to work with whatever is arising for you and what you need support with.
Creating the space and time to commit to a package of one-on-one sessions allows you to:
- dive deeply into the pratice of Yoga
- provides time to practice at home between sessions and return with any questions
- allows time for integration and embodiment
Energy Exchange
3 x 1 hour sessions: $270
5 x 1 hour sessions: $400
NB: This includes detailed notes or video footage to support your practice at home.
Teaching Schedule 2025
Please note:
Melissa is walking Te Araroa from November – April 2026.
Recorded classes will be available for Term 4, 2025 and Term 1, 2026.
See the Bookings page for details.
Bookings for Term 4 must be received by October 5, and for Term 1 by October 25 so I can email you the links to the recordings before I leave home.
MONDAY
Level 1 Yoga
9.30-10.45am
Online
Feb 3 – Mar 31
Apr 28 – Jun 23
Jul 14 – Sep 15
WEDNESDAY
Restorative Yoga
7-8.15pm
Online
Feb 5 – Apr 2
Apr 30 – Jun 18
Jul 16 – Sep 17
THURSDAY
Level 2 Yoga
5.45-7pm
In-person & Online
Feb 6 – Apr 3
May 1 – Jun 19
Jul 17 – Sep 18
TESTIMONIALS
Happy Clients
“Kindly and mindfully Melissa is always in tune with her class and each individual.”
“I value that Melissa is able to work with all levels and bodies to give us, her students a great Yoga experience. Kindly and mindfully she is always in tune with her class and individual students, getting us to be in the “now” with our experience while maintaining breathing and moving our bodies with awareness. The longer I am in Melissa’s classes the more value I gain. She is a wonderful teacher with an awesome personality that cares for us all.”
Kathy Guard
“Melissa came to our home to teach us the basics of Yoga. Her expertise gave us the confidence to venture forward and join a group class. She was especially helpful in giving us alternative poses and sequences to work around previous injuries and to suit our abilities. We always looked forward to seeing Melissa’s friendly face at our door!”
Jaimie & Leanne Wright
“Melissa has helped me to transform my life after having an awful time going through breast cancer treatments. I have learnt to trust in my body, how to use my breath to help ease movements that otherwise I would not be able to do without tension and pain. The knowledge I have gained will help me through future surgeries and has provided me with tools to get back to optimum health at a much faster rate. Thank you.”
Sarah McKelvey
“The online classes are professionally conducted and enjoyable. Melissa is very skilled and shows that she has a great understanding of our needs and abilities, and also offers variations. Sessions flow beautifully and we get to work with different parts of our bodies which I enjoy. The online classes make it so easy and convenient to join from home. Highly recommend.”
“Melissa is so warm, welcoming and down to earth! My Yoga experience with her has been amazing and has helped me to negotiate life in a more grounded way….for that thank you many times over Melissa!”
Michelle Ramsay
” Three years ago I had a stroke and was left paralysed on my right side. Eighteen months ago I started Yoga at home with Melissa and it has made a considerable difference in my recovery. She helps me to achieve greater movement and a deeper connection with my body and breathing. My body is much stronger and more balanced for it. Thank you for your kindness, patience and knowledge.“
Judy Bruerton
“I can honestly say I have learned more in the past 9 weeks of doing the Beginners Course with Melissa then I have in the last 9 years of doing Yoga. The most important thing I learned was not to push it.”
Jeanette Adriatico
“I have attended many of Melissa’s online classes. While I like in person classes best, she does a wonderful job of connecting with us during online classes too and is still able to give supportive, helpful feedback.”
“Manaia is a space of safety, sanctuary, deep relaxation and consequent growth and replenishment. Become acquainted with your body and the wisdom it holds through Yoga classes and healing bodywork with Melissa. Your body, mind & Soul will thank you for it.”
Jill Montgomery
“Melissa is a very knowledgeable and took the time to help everyone individually if they were struggling with anything. You helped me a lot with my back… more than any chiropractor or physio has in regards to keeping it healthy long term. Melissa is a warm, calm and respectful teacher who has inspired me to continue with regular Yoga practice both at home and at Manaia.”
Nicola Surtees