Our life journey, just like our New Zealand journey, is all about sharing. When one shares it allows others to share their gifts. Koha Yoga’s adventure unfolded as we trekked along the south island of New Zealand. Our only plan while being here was to share our Koha Yoga gifts at the Circulation Festival on November 11, 2011. At the festival we met Dan and Logan, the producers of this event, they shared their gift of organizing which allowed hundreds to shine, connect, and share. Circulation Festival brought together so many amazing beings and till this current moment, we are still reaping the benefits of being part of this Festival. Lots of performers and circus folk from around the world were gathered to learn and share. Two of our favorite teachers who shared their gifts with us were the Twisty Twins. The Twisty Twins were such inspiring teachers and we were lucky enough to share our gift of Koha Flying Yoga with them.
We met Helen, a new friend, at the Festival while she shared her gift of cooking, organizing, and just being plan amazing. She ended up hosting us in Wanaka (a beautiful little resort town we could never traditionally afford to stay in). Helen’s gift was to create a place for us to ground and reconnect with our propose of sharing our gifts. We hiked, made sushi, flew and healed lots while in Wanaka.
As we headed North we trekked along the famous West Coast of New Zealand we hoped that our gifts (not money) would provide us with everything we needed. We camped in epic areas and saw the Fox Glaciers, got attacked by keas in Arthur’s pass and found a fantastic opportunity in Greymouth, NZ. We used helpx.net to find a place for us to exchange our gifts for a place to stay and food. “Cha-ching” we found it. Sara got to teach yoga every morning and Whaka got to do bodywork for the family, as well as feeding the chickens and pigs, mowing the orchard etc. We both got to teach flying yoga and inspire the family with the gift that just keeps on giving, flying yoga. We got blessed with a gorgeous place to stay, amazing food, and the satisfaction of giving from the heart.
The HelpX family got to share their gift of knowledge, kindness, openness, and two tickets to the Toni Childs concert (it was Sara’s birthday present). We were graced by Toni Childs’ gift of singing, self expression, and the ability to be audaciously human. She shared with an open heart which paved the way for us toshare our gifts yet again. As soon as the concert ended Whaka asked Toni, “Do you want to fly?” she emphatically said, “yes!”. In front of lots of her fans, Toni took her first flight. Whaka ended up flying the entire band and it landed us into the private after party.
As we headed north again, we camped next to the Nelson Lakes and literally were graced (aka got attacked) by the infamous sand flies of the West Coast, New Zealand. The sandflies quickly inspired us to go further North with perfect timing. We were reunited with another Circulation Festival friend, “Fireman Dan”. When we reunited him in Motueaka, Tasman, New Zealand he asked if we were ready to go on a “mission” to the northern west coast. We of course said “yes”. We quickly became realized that we were with” family” that we never knew before and landed in a beautiful setting (but of course it was infested with sand flies). Our new family shared their gifts of fishing, cooking, tramping, and having fun. We taught our new “family” that they can fly too and we turned this mission into a impromptu Koha Flying Yoga retreat. After this epic 3 night “retreat” we choose to end it with a sauna.
The sauna was just outside Takaka at The Sandcastle Accommodation, Golden Bay,North Coast, New Zealand. “Fireman Dan” kept telling us we needed to meet these people and he was certain we could do a workshop at this place. Towards the end of our sauna we met Shakti, an amazing woman and spirit, and she informed us that she was sharing her gifts of Kundalini Yoga the next day and and we were invited to come. We told her that we needed a place to stay and we would be more than happy. Within moments we flew the owner of Sandcastle and we were invited to stay and teach an “I can fly” workshop the next day as well as attending the Kundalini Retreat. The Sandcastle and all the folks there created the conditions for people like us to share our gifts. If you are ever near Takaka in the Golden Bay, please visit the Sandcastle and maybe a stay a night or two.
One of our students at the Sandcastle workshop, happened to be the 2nd baby born (he is now in his mid-late twenties) at the Tui Community . As a community they create their gifts of Tui Balms (sold almost everywhere throughout NZ). The Tui Balms were the gift that we needed to help heal from all the sandfly bites we got from camping. We in return taught flew a few Tui folk.
We share these stories with you, because we want to remind you to share your gifts, when we share ours we get exactly what we need. Also, when we share our gifts, we create the conditions for others to share their gifts. Therefore creating an even better world, where everyone is getting exactly what they need. Keep sharing your gifts.
Floor cleaner: Combine ¼ cup white vinegar with 10 drops lemon oil and 4 drops oregano oil. Add to a bucket of water. For extra cleaning power, add several drops of dish soap but follow with a clean – water mop so floors aren’t slippery.
Window cleaner: In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup white vinegar, 10-15 drops lemon oil and 1 cut water. Shake well before each use. In summer, repel flies by wiping windows with a cloth dampened with 2 ounces water and 10 drops lavender or lemongrass essential oils.
Air Freshener: To keep indoor air smelling fresh, mix 8 drops of essential oil with 2 ½ cups warm water. (Use a single scent or 8 drops of this combination: 5 drops bergamot, 10 drops lavender, 5 drops cinnamon, 10 drops lemon, 10 drops citronella.) Store in a spray bottle and shake well before use.
Surface Cleaner: Add 7 drops lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), cinnamon, clove, thyme, pine, grapefruit or oregano oil to 2 cups of water. Add a few drops of liquid soap to emulsify the oils in the water.Spray on surfaces.