“How you do anything is how you do everything.”– Unknown
Well hello autumn,
Along with the change of seasons also comes a change in energy, seasonal colds and maybe a feeling of sluggishness or a dip in mood. This is definitely a time to stay off social media, connect with friends and family and wrap yourself up in the warmth of community.
And I gotta say we have a beautiful warm and inviting community at The Yoga Pantry.
I have been covering the Yin classes for Cami over the past two weeks and Yin, being a rather prop-heavy practice that also blankets you in a cosy relaxing cocoon of bliss always reminds me of the importance to be present and take time to slow down.
You know that delicious, floaty feeling you get at the end of a really good yoga class? That spaciousness in your mind, the lightness in your body, the kind of peace that feels like it’s dripping into your bones?
It’s pure magic, right?
And yet… how quickly we rush away from it. I see it all the time (ahem yin yoga classes): the moment Savasana ends, we’re up, rolling up the mat, grabbing our stuff, checking the phone, already halfway into the next thing on the calendar. Or there’s a bit of a scramble to be the first to pack props away—as if yoga were some sort of race we were trying to win. Sometimes we're already rolling up our props during the relaxation portion of the class!
But here’s the thing I want to gently remind us all that Yoga doesn’t end when the teacher says “Namaste” or closes the class with a mantra. That post-class glow? That sense of calm and presence? That is the yoga doing its deeper work. And it deserves space to land.
The Afterglow Matters
What we do in those few minutes after class is sacred. It’s the moment where your nervous system is finally calm, your mind is quiet, and your heart might just be whispering things you don’t normally hear above the noise. If we rush out the door or start tidying up like we’re being timed, we miss the most nourishing part - the integration.
It’s like pulling a cake out of the oven and cutting into it straight away. You can do it… but it’s going to fall apart and burn your mouth. Or like watering a plant and then immediately yanking it out of the soil—nothing has time to settle.
So next time you finish a class, give yourself permission to linger. Sit for a few breaths. Move slowly. Stay in that beautiful stillness just a little longer. Let the yoga seep into your cells.
The yoga needs time to settle, to cool, to anchor itself in your body, mind, and energy.
Mindful Moments with Your Props
There’s also something to be said for the way we put our props away. It might seem small and insignificant, but it’s actually an extension of the practice and of the way you approach the world. When we fold blankets with care, stack bolsters mindfully, and return blocks gently, we’re practising Ahimsa - non-harming, respect for others and the space we share. We’re also practising Santosha - contentment, presence, the art of not rushing through the moment to get to the next one. We’re showing respect for the shared space, for our fellow students, and for the practice itself.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s just about being present. A little more gentle. A little more aware. Thoughtful. Grounded. These small actions reflect the energy we bring into the rest of our lives.
Why We Leave Our Shoes at the Door
While we’re on the subject of mindfulness, I wanted to gently touch on another often-overlooked part of the practice: removing our shoes before entering the studio space.
This isn’t just a practical thing (though it does help keep our floors clean!). It’s also deeply symbolic. Removing your shoes before stepping into the studio is a small ritual of respect for the space, for the practice, for me and for the community we share it with.
Our feet are our connection to the earth, and in yoga, barefoot practice helps us stay grounded, stable, and attuned to our bodies. It brings a sense of presence and reverence to the mat. Walking in with shoes on, even just a few steps, can disrupt the energy of the space, it’s like tracking the outside world into our little sanctuary.
So next time you arrive, take a quiet moment at the door. Slip off your shoes with intention. Let it be your first step into presence. Into sacred space.
Letting the Yoga Do Its Work
Next time you finish a class, whether it’s at The Yoga Pantry or in your own lounge, give yourself permission to pause. Stay in your bubble of peace a little longer. Sit in stillness. Take a few deep breaths. Soak it in. Let it stick.
The magic of yoga is not just in the shapes we make or the hour we spend on the mat. It’s in how it spills into the spaces between things, how it softens our edges, slows our steps, deepens our breath, and helps us remember who we really are.
And the more we let the practice settle, the more it stays with us. The more we carry that “zen zone” into our conversations, our to-do lists, our relationships, our lives.
Because that’s the point, isn’t it? Yoga isn’t something we do. It’s something we live.
So let’s finish class with the same grace and mindfulness we bring to the mat. Every little bit counts. 🌿
I also would love to give a little shout-out to Kris, Michelle and Rusell who have generously spent their own time and energy after class, time and again, on ensuring the props area is neat and tidy for the next class to enjoy, let's all be more like them :)
What's happening in The Pantry? 🧘♀️
Restorative Yoga Workshop
Your beloved 2 hours of restorative yoga is back at the end of both April and June on the last Sunday of those months at 5pm.
Restorative yoga is a completely different experience than most other styles of yoga. Restorative yoga is a restful practice that is all about slowing down and opening your body through passive stretching. If you take a restorative class, you may hardly move at all, doing just a few postures over the course of the session. It is a practice of deep relaxation that emphasizes the meditative aspect of yoga, the union of body and mind. Through the use of props for support, many of the postures are held almost effortlessly.
Head here to book your sessions and join me, Tash, for a restful evening of deep relaxation.
Our Amazing 8-Week Introduction To Yoga
This is a fantastic course that I have honed over a decade of teaching it to hundreds of new yoga enthusiasts. I love teaching it. I love sharing it and I love seeing the results the students get from just eight 90-minute sessions each week.
It really is a fantastic course to upskill, hone, or start your yoga journey, and we have plenty of people take it as a refresher every year or so as well as bringing their friends and family along to introduce them to the joys of Yoga :)
If you need a refresher or just want to ease back into your practice join us either on a Monday or Thursday evening and bring a friend ;)
SIGN UP TODAY and enjoy the myriad benefits of a regular yoga practice, plus be part of the best darn beginner yoga course in town.
Beginner Plus
We have just 2 Beginner Plus courses scheduled this year the first one starts in June so get your name on the list and join me on a Monday evening for some excellent pranayama, asana, mudras and bandhas along with some deeper yogic philosophies thrown in the mix.
Sign Up Here
Sound Bath!
Yup, that's back too. May 25th is not just my dad's birthday but also a day for you to immerse yourself in a luxurious sound experience. Soak in the tones of Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, rain sticks, wind chimes, hand drums and gongs.
Check out our Workshop page to get more information and to register for this healing event.
Head here to book all your regular yoga classes
Remember you can join us online from anywhere in the world, live or at a time that suits you with our instant 14-day on-demand Zoom recording!
Don't forget you can also join us for a FREE meditation session every Saturday morning, and even if you can't you can book in via Zoom and do the meditation later in the day :)
Get To Know Your Teacher Series
Me, Tash :)
Professional Background
What inspired you to start teaching yoga? Some of my friends started doing their Yoga Teacher training certification, people I never even knew had an interest in yoga and at the same time I used to run my own vintage dance school and I wanted to find ways to help keep my dancers fit and healthy, plus years ago my mum had shared a cool yoga sequence with me called The Cosmic Fountain of Youth, so my interest was piqued and it all just fell into place.
How long have you been practising and teaching yoga? I've been practising on and off since my early 20s with a VHS tape of Kathy Smith (a fitness guru of the 90s)and Rod Stryker (a prominent yoga teacher in the USA at the time) that I found in a bargain bin at a supermarket. Then I followed that up with The Cosmic Fountain of Youth sequence that was actually taught on an audio cassette tape :D. I've been teaching for over a decade now.
What styles of yoga do you teach or love practising the most? If you've been to any of my classes you'll know I have no style preference, I love incorporating new ideas and techniques into the traditional Hatha Yoga teachings. Basically I am game for anything that is not ego or guru-driven. That means I don't prescribe to any so-called branded styles of yoga but look for approaches that will benefit the mind, body and soul.
What’s your teaching philosophy or approach to yoga?
My approach and philosophy is to always be open to learning new things and ways of doing and being. Be adaptable, be open and be kind to yourself, always.
What’s your favourite yoga pose and why? Hmmm, I guess it must be cat/cow - Majariasana because I pretty much put that into almost every single class I teach. It's a wonderful preparatory pose that opens up the spine and strengthens the wrists, core, arms and legs. And you can do it on all fours, seated or even standing!
What’s the one thing you want students to take away from your classes? I want them to leave feeling more themselves.
Personal Insights
What’s something unique about your yoga journey or practice? Until I did my Yoga teacher training I'd never gone to a "real" yoga class/studio, I was self-taught via VHS, Cassette and DVDs (before Youtube was a thing ahem.) :D I've still probably only ever done 2 classes in someone else's studio.
What are your go-to ways to unwind outside of yoga?
Ideally, it would be doing something creative like painting or drawing but I haven't managed to find the inspiration for that lately so it's audiobooks, fantasy, historical romance, magic and anything that takes me into a different world.
Do you have a morning or evening routine that keeps you grounded? No, is that bad? Probably, but I like sleeping in and I like listening to my books to fall asleep, although sometimes they are too engrossing and I find I forget to sleep lol. In an ideal world, it would be to spend 20 minutes at sunrise meditating and 20 minutes at night journaling, doing face yoga and gua sha. But realistically that only happens once in a blue moon, even though I feel awesome when I do it!
What’s your favourite way to incorporate mindfulness into daily life? Hanging out with my cat and tending to my plants.
Fun & Quirky
If you could invite any 3 people (alive or historical) to a yoga class, who would they be and why? Kristin McGee, another of my DVD yoga "gurus" (MTV yoga of all things). I follow her on Instagram and she even follows me, even though I never post any more! I've chatted with her there too and she's lovely, inspiring and super knowledgeable.
Yoda because he can teach us all how to tap into our prana and use the force. Also, he's a master at non-attachment.
My mum because she used to love coming to my classes and I miss her.
What’s the most unexpected thing in your yoga bag? Oh there's so many random things in my yoga bag right now.
Hmm, a silver sharpie...I don't know why. There's usually always chocolate, my Yoda usb and some sour lollies :) Oh and two sets of wireless microphone recording gadgets.
Describe yourself in three words! Stubborn, creative, unsatisfied.
Do you have a favourite mantra, quote, or affirmation you live by? The first time I ever really thought about even having a favourite quote was during my Yoga teacher training and I discovered Hafiz for a class assignment.
The Sun never says to the Earth, "You owe me." Look What happens With a love like that, It lights the whole sky.” ― Hafiz
It has stuck with me ever since, it's the first one that springs to mind every single time.
Favourite mantra - Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings in all worlds be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess? I worked as a science facilitator in KLCC Twin Towers in Malaysia for a few years. I also acted in numerous Teledramas in Malaysia. Oh and I shook Prince (King) Charles's hand dressed as Schnitzel Von Krum.
Studio Connection
What do you love most about teaching at The Yoga Pantry? The people, you are what makes me keep doing what I do. Thank you for creating such a warm and welcoming community and helping us maintain such a beautiful safe and sacred space for people to just be.
What’s your favourite thing about The Yoga Pantry community? Same as above. I'm so grateful for the energy that our community generates, it's vibrant and joyful and always willing to hold space for others. Plus the morning after-class coffee chats are great :)
What makes your classes unique or special? Me lol. But seriously, it's hard to stand out in a crowd so we specialise in offering something a little different. Like Yoga on a wheel, or Yin with Singing bowls, or weekly Yoga Nidra, or somatic or facia-focused classes or our dancey style Rhythm Flow class. We also have kept the hybrid style of classes which many studios have moved away from since the lockdowns ended.
Quickfire Round
Favourite yoga prop: Currently it's the gardening knee pads
Favourite yoga playlist vibe: I have so many - can't choose
Tea or coffee?: Herbal tea
Favourite local spot to relax: Long Bay beach
One thing you can’t live without: Being Creative
Tash teaches a wide variety of classes :)
Join me in person in our beautiful studio in Mt Eden or from the cosy comfort of your own home.
Book one of Natasya's Classes and enjoy a smorgasbord of delights to nourish your mind, body and soul.
See you on the mat my awesome friend!
With love, mindfulness, and neatly folded blankets ;)
Tash x
P.P.S Don’t forget to share your Yoga insights on social media with the hashtag #TheYogaPantryLife #Yogaislife
Let’s spread the yoga love far and wide!
I see you, and I appreciate you, you are awesome x
