I remember my first Thai Massage. I was pretty young and inexperienced with differentiating between modalities of massage, and low on cash. I saw a sign “Thai Massage for Cheap” and jumped at the opportunity to finally have a massage- -yet was really surprised by what happened next. I expected to be “naked” and for oils to be worked into my body, and my back to receive most of the attention. Instead I was fully clothed, walked on, pulled one way then the other (mind you by a relatively smaller human); but I walked away feeling good. Read here to see the benefits of Thai massage and why Koha Yoga uses it as a modality of healing. (Photo taken by www.marikaripke.com)
Why Thai Massage
“Open Your Heart” Partner Asana
It is likely you will hear the phrase “open your heart” during a yoga class. Even for the well-practiced yogi, it is a concept that may be hard to practice, physically and literally.
That is why we love to practice the “open my heart” partner asana. We love this partner asana because Whakapaingia is getting a good stretch in his hamstrings and quads, while Sara is being supported in opening her heart.
Step-by-Step:
•Whakapainiga is in downward dog, with strong arms and stable hands, allowing him to draw energy up through his arms. His heels are falling to the earth, activating the balls of his feet and drawing up energy from the earth.
• Sara steps between his hands (or the outside), placing her hands on either side of the spine. She gently places weight slowly onto Whakpaingia’s back, allowing her arms to open to the side, with her legs straight. (This should feel good, if not adjust until it does).
• Synching the breath, Whakapaingia and Sara take long expansive breathes, together as one.
Make sure you switch so both partners reap the benefits. (Photo taken by www.marikaripke.com)
We Love Montezuma Yoga
Montezuma Yoga–Montezuma, Costa Rica
Montezuma is not the easiest town to get to in Costa Rica, but it is well worth the journey. Montezuma Yoga is the first yoga studio in Montezuma, and has created the strong yoga culture in this area.
Montezuma Yoga is located just outside of town, so there is little traffic noise, only the sounds of monkeys throwing mangos, iguanas running in the trees, and the ocean waves. You must walk through a peaceful mango grove to get to Montezuma Yoga; this short journey provides a wonderful opportunity to calm your mind and set your intention for class.
Montezuma Yoga is an open-air studio, so you feel and see the ocean during class and can sync your ujjayi breath to the 
sound of ocean waves. The teachers are highly qualified and the owner, Dagmar, is filled with love for yoga and all of her students. Everyone in town loves Dagmar and Montezuma Yoga. The people in Montezuma light up at the mention of Dagmar, and proclaim their love for her and how she has changed their lives.
Dagmar has created a platform for people (such as us) from around the world to share their gifts. We had a very successful, “I Can Fly” Retreat at Montezuma Yoga. Even though it was the “green (slow) season” we had a fantastic turnout because the yoga community of Montezuma Yoga is so strong. Montezuma Yoga has had the same schedule had since it opened 10 years ago: 9:30AM (M-F) and 6:00PM (Sunday-Friday). More information can be found at www.montezumayoga.com.
We Love Bamboo Yoga Play
Bamboo Yoga Play~Dominical, Costa Rica
Stepping into Bamboo YogaPlay is like stepping into a healing sanctuary. What better place to do yoga, dance, and receive massages than an open-air studio made of bamboo and surrounded by jungle. (It is very likely you will hear iguanas running on the roof and geckos “chirping” during class).
Bamboo YogaPlay is conveniently located off the main, unpaved street of Dominical. It is easy to find and access. Dominical is a travel-friendly town in which single travelers can easily make new friends. Dominical is home to the annual Envision Festival—showcasing music, art, dance, yoga, permaculture, creativity, and self-expression (www.envisionfestival.com).
Sofiah Thom (co-owner of Bamboo YogaPlay along with husband Brendan Jaffer) is a visionary who leads from her heart 
and inspires others to share their gifts. Her motto, “to live artfully”, is encouraged through her classes, her energy, and in the unique collection of clothing and accessories in her studio’s eclectic boutique. The boutique will change your idea of what “typical” yoga wear is, carrying a variety of eco friendly, playful designs with amazing tribal cuts that are designed for comfort as well as fashion.
The teachers at Bamboo YogaPlay are full of metta, joy, and sharing. We were fortunate to teach and share our gift of Bodywork, flying yoga classes, and host a successful “I Can Fly” retreat at this beautiful studio. For more information on Bamboo YogaPlay please visit www.bambooyogaplay.com
Join the Koha Yoga World Tour
The Koha Yoga Family just finished a 3 day “I Can Fly” Retreat at Montezuma Yoga , check out our pictures here. We want to extend an invitation to you at our current tour spot, Bamboo Yoga Play, Costa Rica. We are teaching weekly Family, Flying, and Flow classes, but we also are having a 3 day retreat, July 8-10th. Read more here.
Fly with your entire Family at Haleybird Studios, Wauwatosa, WI
- Friday, July 29 | Family Flying Demo | 6-7PM
- Tuesdays, Aug 2, 9, 16 |10-11AM | Family Yoga Series
- Saturday, Aug 20 | 1-2PM | Family Flying Workshop
Please let all your friends and family in Wisconsin that Koha Yoga is on there way there. Please rsvp by emailing us @ kohayoga@gmail.com
Koha Yoga Wants Everyone to Experience the Gift of Flight
“To create family, strength, love and to give things takes trust. In order for you to be in the place to give a gift, you need to trust yourself and others” This basic Flying Yoga flow is a place to start being in a place to trust. Come learn how to fly with us down in Costa Rica. If you can’t make it to our workshop, June 10-12th, we will be teaching weekly classes at Bamboo Yoga Play in Dominical, Costa Rica and also a retreat July 8-10th.
Koha Yoga at Bamboo Yoga Play
From June 13- July 20, 2011, Koha Yoga will be planted at Bamboo Yoga Play in Dominical, Costa Rica. We will be teaching weekly Polyensian Power Yoga Classes, Family Yoga Classes and of Course Flying Yoga. we will also have a “I CAN FLY” Koha Flying Yoga Retreat, July 8th-10th. During our time there Whakapaingia will be offereing his bodywork sessions and private classes for flying. Bamboo Yoga Play, is an eco-lodge, and you will stay in the highest end shipping conatiner in all of Dominical.
Let us know if we can help you find your way to play with us at Bamboo Yoga Play.
Koha Yoga’s Last Class in Venice | May 15 @ Noon
Five years ago Whakapaingia Luke welcomed the adventure that a plane ticket from New Zealand to Los Angeles would bring. Sara Laimon has practiced Yoga since the age of 18. A natural born leader and teacher, she loves to play and have fun. After the first time of finding herself on top of someone’s feet, flying, her life had never been the same. Sara became a certified Yoga teacher and Thai Yoga practitioner to share the gift that she had found. After missing a flight to set out on an international adventure of her own, Sara headed to Venice Beach and caught eyes with Whakapaingia. After asking Whakapaingia “Do you want to play?” an instantaneous partnership and Koha Flying Yoga were created.
Now after 5 years of being in Los Angeles our last class will be held at Surya Yoga in Venice Beach (only two blocks away from the hostel that Whakapaingia started his journey in LA) just off Winward Circle. We want to fill the room with love, joy, and balance. Please come play with the Koha Family and take the play we create and spread all around Los Angeles. Send us off to spread the gift of play around the wold.
Thai Me Up at Lighting in the Bottle
Koha Yoga will be at Lighting in the Bottle this year, teaching a Flying Yoga Workshop ,”Thai Me Up”.
Experience the gift of flying, which is the gift that keeps on giving. Come and learn a flying yoga thai sequence (suitable for all levels of flyers and bases) that invites prana, healing, and joy to all parts of the body. We will work as a community to learn how to open, connect, heal, relax and support through partner stretches, Thai Yoga Massage sequence, and Flying Yoga Thai Sequence.
“Lightning in a Bottle’s mission is to create an experience that is both immediate and far-reaching, both temporary and enduring… and always unforgettable. By setting amazing music and performance, inspiring works of art, educational workshops, and enlightening discussions against a backdrop of natural beauty and wonder, LIB aims to devise an alternate reality where all have the opportunity to connect, to interact, and to create for themselves.” Read more here.
Pure Souls Experience Flying Yoga with Whakapaingia
Flying With Whakapainga from Pure Souls on Vimeo.
Koha Flying Yoga is a gift. Whakapaingia shared this gift to Ian and Josie the PURE SOULS founders in Costa Rica. Like most people flown by Whakpaingia (or Sara or anyone) they want to give back, as Josie and Ian’s gift they created this video. Once you are given the gift of flying it is almost immediate that you want to learn how to fly others. As the Koha Yoga Family travels we hope to encounter more humans that want to open themselves to this trusting gift and then learn to share this gift to others. So, if you see us in your “neck of the woods” (we are going to be in Boise from April 4-6) make sure you ask us for the gift of flight and learn how to do it when you finish.