Welcome to Chandananda Yoga, a Yoga studio located in Guildford, New Zealand, led by Michelle Chand, a dedicated Yoga practitioner with over thirty years of experience. Michelle's classes are deeply rooted in yoga philosophy and are suitable for all individuals who are ready to embark on a journey of personal growth and transformation.
Yoga is not just about physical movement; it is a way of finding peace and encompasses philosophy, breath awareness, mindfulness, and relaxation. With consistent practise, you will not only become more flexible and gain strength but also experience pain relief, balance your mood, build resilience, and improve your quality of sleep. Regardless of your current fitness level or lifestyle, stepping onto your yoga mat is an opportunity to meet yourself as you are, with acceptance and without any judgement or expectations.
At Chandananda Yoga, Michelle aims to make yoga accessible to people of all abilities, including those with illnesses or injuries, both physical and emotional. She teaches in a creative, inclusive, and empowering way, working with individual challenges to help students navigate their yoga practise.
When asked about what kind of yoga she teaches, Michelle explains that Chandananda Yoga is a blend of different styles, incorporating the strengths of each. The practise combines precision of alignment, physical intensity, discipline, intelligent sequencing, and techniques to aid relaxation and the release of long-held tensions.
Michelle's personal journey with yoga has been a constant source of support through various life transitions, including battling addiction and body image issues during her twenties, adapting her practise around pregnancy and becoming a single parent, experiencing marriage, divorce, illness, and injury. Yoga has also provided solace during times of loss and helped her manage depression and anxiety.
As a lifelong learner, Michelle believes that effective teaching requires continuous learning and staying informed about new developments and techniques. She has studied for two and a half years to become a teacher, trained under Julia Wheatley and at Yoga Campus in London. Additionally, she has completed intensive education periods on Yoga Therapy and Restorative Yoga and continues to attend workshops, deepen her knowledge, and explore her own practise.
Michelle understands the challenges faced by individuals with “normal” bodies, ones that may creak, click, and feel resistant to certain movements. Therefore, her teaching approach seeks to strike a balance between strength and flexibility, rather than solely focusing on achieving advanced poses. The goal is to empower students to build functional strength and increase flexibility in a way that supports their overall well-being.
Whether you are new to yoga or returning after a break, Chandananda Yoga warmly welcomes you to join their classes and begin your own transformative journey.