FREE ONLINE Resilience & Balance Class
2025-07-31 18:00 - 19:30 (Pacific/Auckland)
Join Swami Karma Karuna for this FREE ONLINE intro class to explore regulation of your nervous system, building resilience and finding more balance.

What are your core nervous system patterns?
Why is regulation important?
Experience simple practices that can help with better sleep, mood and life balance.
Including:
Restorative practices
Breathing technique
Yoga Nidra and a Somatic Trauma Hack
Please register here to receive the ZOOM link.
And if you are interested in exploring more, Swami Karma Karuna will be offering her next intake of the 6-week ONLINE Nervous System Reset starting 10th August or if you are in Australia you may wish to join her for a day of Resilience & Reset workshops and event in BRISBANE in September
Teacher

Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati is an engaging, intuitive yoga and meditation teacher, inspirational speaker, writer and IAYT certified Yoga Therapist with 30 years of experience in the yoga field including significant training in Nepal and India and ongoing training in the ashram with her teachers.
She is also certified by Yoga Alliance and is a senior teacher of Yoga Australia/New Zealand. A Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communications with a minor in Psychology determined an early interest in working with groups and individuals. Swami Karma Karuna specialises in a range or areas such as Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Prana, Chakras, Yoga Psychology and Women’s Health. She is also a co-founder and director of Anahata Yoga Retreat, New Zealand and travels throughout the world, leading workshops, training yoga teachers, presenting at international events, guiding spiritual sadhana retreats and offering therapeutic one to one yoga sessions.
Swami Karma Karuna is passionate about sharing an authentic and down to earth approach, weaving together the ancient practices with a touch of psychology and brain science aimed at motivating people to live their yoga here and now.

Private Sessions

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations & Community Working Bee
2025-08-16 09:00 - 20:30
An invitation to our local Sangha to join us in celebrating Krishna’s birthday and come together for a community working bee to support Anahata Yoga Retreat before Swami Karma Karuna goes to India
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Ashtami is a day of divine connection & personal transformation. It is significant day in India as it indicates a perfect balance between the seen and the unseen aspects of reality – the visible material world and the invisible spiritual realm.
Krishna’s birth on Ashtami signifies his mastery of both the spiritual and material worlds. He is a great teacher and a spiritual inspiration as well as the consummate politician. On one hand, he is Yogeshwara (the Lord of Yoga – the state which every yogi aspires), while on the other, he is a mischievous thief. The most authentic way to celebrate Janmashtami is to know that you have to play a dual role – of being a responsible human being on the planet, and at the same time to realize that you are above all events.
Come join us for a day of seva, selfless service to tidy up the grounds of Anahata to prepare for Spring, followed by a gentle Hatha Yoga Class, Yoga Nidra, Havan & Kirtan and shared potluck dinner. Optional wood-fired sauna available after dinner.
If you are unable to join us physically, there is an option to join us ONLINE for Hatha Yoga Class, Yoga Nidra & Havan by donation.

All welcome for some or part of the schedule.

The Schedule
Working Bee

09:00am – 12:30pm Working bee projects (gardening, wood stacking, cleaning, wastewater system tasks, etc.)
12:30pm – 1:30pm Shared lunch (potluck style or bring your own)
1:30pm – 3:30pm Working bee projects continue

Yoga Buffet

3:30pm – 5:00pm Gentle Hatha Yoga Class & Yoga Nidra (ONLINE option available)
5:00pm – 7:00pm Havan Fire Ceremony & Kirtan (ONLINE option available)
7:00pm – 8:30pm Shared Dinner followed by Sauna

Additional Information

Energy Exchange

Full Yoga Buffet $25
Havan & Kirtan by Donation
Please email us at yoga@anahata-retreat.org.nz to let us know you are coming. Or to join us ONLINE please register here:
You can donate below to The Heart Chakra Fund or you can make your cash donations & payment on the day.

For more info about our Yoga Buffet, see event listing here
Accommodation
A few huts may be available if anyone needs/wants to stay Saturday night (please enquire if needed).

The Heart Chakra Fund

If you are unable to contribute to the Community Working Bee, you can also support Anahata Yoga Retreat during this transitional phase by making a donation to The Heart Chakra Fund.

Donate here

RESILIENCE & RESET - A day of events - BRISBANE
2025-09-06 09:00 - 19:00
Join Swami Karma Karuna for a full day of events at Yoga in Daily Life in BRISBANE.
With Express & Balance – Navigating the Nervous System you will discover the power of resilience and learn how to reset your nervous system in this transformative morning session. In Relax & Nourish – Cultivating the Relaxation Response, give yourself the gift of deep rest & rejuvenation in this nourishing afternoon session. And come together with Sacred Connection for an evening of Satsang, Havan & Kirtan
Welcome to one workshop, both or all events.
And, learn more about our FREE ONLINE Resilience & Balance taster Class here
Express & Balance
In Express & Balance, you’ll dive into understanding the nervous system, with a focus on expression and equilibrium. Explore the polyvagal theory, learn practices to stimulate the vagus nerve (including AUM chanting, movement, and sound), and experience Hatha Yoga and Pranayama to harmonize your mind and emotions. What You’ll Gain:

Deeper awareness of how your nervous system shapes emotional and mental well-being
Tools to balance and reset through movement, sound, and breath
Practical techniques to integrate into everyday life

This morning session is ideal for anyone seeking self-awareness, emotional balance, and resilience.
Reserve your place and begin your day with empowerment and clarity.
The Workshop includes a tea break and is followed by a light lunch and community connection.
Relax & Nourish
In Relax & Nourish, you’ll explore calming breathing techniques, Yoga Nidra, and Restorative Yoga practices designed to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and invite profound inner peace. What You’ll Gain:

Techniques to calm and nourish the nervous system
A deeper sense of peace, rest, and emotional renewal
Simple practices to support ongoing stress relief

This session is perfect for anyone seeking to unwind, replenish, and reconnect with stillness.
Join us and experience a deep exhale from the demands of daily life.
The Workshop includes a tea break and is followed by a light dinner and community connection.
Sacred Connection

Conclude your day with Sacred Connection and a heart-centered, soul-nourishing experience. The evening program offers a sacred space to come together in community and deepen your inner journey through powerful spiritual practices.

Including Satsang, a time for reflection, discussion, and spiritual inspiration rooted in yogic wisdom. Participate in a Havan, a traditional Vedic fire ceremony that purifies and uplifts, creating a sense of renewal and intention. Open your heart through Kirtan, the joyful and meditative chanting of mantras that invites inner stillness and collective unity.
This evening gathering is an opportunity to integrate the day’s practices, reconnect with your true self, and share in the uplifting energy of group connection and devotion. All are welcome—no prior experience needed.
The event is free, donations welcome.

Additional Information
Welcome to one, both or all events!
Resilience & Reset: A Nervous System Wellness Retreat

9am-12pm | Express & Balance – Navigating the Nervous System
Lunch
1:30-4:30 | Relax & Nourish – Cultivating the Relaxation Response
Dinner
5:30-7pm | Sacred Connection – Satsang, Havan, and Kirtan – by donation

Discover the power of resilience and learn how to reset your nervous system in our transformative urban retreat. Whether you choose to attend the full day or individual sessions, you’ll walk away with practical tools and insights to enhance your well-being.
Prices:

One Workshop – $69 / $55 conc. (includes tea break and light lunch/dinner)
Two Workshops – $120 (includes tea breaks and light lunch & dinner)
Evening Satsang – by donation

Teacher

Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati is an engaging, intuitive yoga and meditation teacher, inspirational speaker, writer and IAYT certified Yoga Therapist with 30 years of experience in the yoga field including significant training in Nepal and India and ongoing training in the ashram with her teachers.
She is also certified by Yoga Alliance and is a senior teacher of Yoga Australia/New Zealand. A Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communications with a minor in Psychology determined an early interest in working with groups and individuals. Swami Karma Karuna specialises in a range or areas such as Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Prana, Chakras, Yoga Psychology and Women’s Health. She is also a co-founder and director of Anahata Yoga Retreat, New Zealand and travels throughout the world, leading workshops, training yoga teachers, presenting at international events, guiding spiritual sadhana retreats and offering therapeutic one to one yoga sessions.
Swami Karma Karuna is passionate about sharing an authentic and down to earth approach, weaving together the ancient practices with a touch of psychology and brain science aimed at motivating people to live their yoga here and now.

Private Sessions

Embracing Transformation: The New Moon & Inner Resilience FREE ONLINE CLASS
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:00
Join Swami Karma Karuna for an enlightening FREE ONLINE session that intertwines the spiritual energies of the New Moon, transformation and resilience.
We will use the archetype of Durga, the embodiment of strength and the power of overcoming obstacles to explore ways to face life challenges with strength and creativity for personal growth and wellness. Includes theory, accessible postures, breathing practices, mudra and a short meditation, providing you with insights and tools to navigate life with more grace and positivity.
Teacher

Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati is an engaging, intuitive yoga and meditation teacher, inspirational speaker, writer and IAYT certified Yoga Therapist with 30 years of experience in the yoga field including significant training in Nepal and India and ongoing training in the ashram with her teachers.
She is also certified by Yoga Alliance and is a senior teacher of Yoga Australia/New Zealand. A Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communications with a minor in Psychology determined an early interest in working with groups and individuals. Swami Karma Karuna specialises in a range or areas such as Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Prana, Chakras, Yoga Psychology and Women’s Health. She is also a co-founder and director of Anahata Yoga Retreat, New Zealand and travels throughout the world, leading workshops, training yoga teachers, presenting at international events, guiding spiritual sadhana retreats and offering therapeutic one to one yoga sessions.
Swami Karma Karuna is passionate about sharing an authentic and down to earth approach, weaving together the ancient practices with a touch of psychology and brain science aimed at motivating people to live their yoga here and now.

Private Sessions

Yoga Buffet - A Celebration of Abundance
2025-09-27 15:30 - 20:30
All welcome to join the Anahata Team for a special Yoga Buffet to celebrate abundance during Navaratri.
Twice a year around the Equinoxes, a 9-day practice called Navaratri is held. To learn more about this auspicious time, visit our Blog here.
This yoga buffet will have a focus on honouring the divine form of abundance, Lakshmi and we will chant two malas during havan; our regular healing mantra and one to Lakshmi.
No previous experience is required, all are welcome!
The Schedule

3:30pm – 5:00pm Gentle Hatha Yoga Class & Yoga Nidra
5:00pm – 7:00pm Havan Fire Ceremony & Kirtan
7:00pm – 8:30pm Shared Dinner followed by Sauna

Welcome to join for some or all of the sessions.
Additional Information
Energy Exchange

Full Yoga Buffet $25
Havan & Kirtan by Donation
Please email us at yoga@anahata-retreat.org.nz to let us know you are coming.
You can donate below to The Heart Chakra Fund or you can make your cash donations & payment on the day.

For more info about our Yoga Buffet, see event listing here
The Heart Chakra Fund

If you are unable to contribute to the Community Working Bee, you can also support Anahata Yoga Retreat during this transitional phase by making a donation to The Heart Chakra Fund.

Donate Here

India Retreat 2025
2025-09-29 - 2025-10-31
Embark on a Transformative Journey to India with Swami Karma Karuna…

OPTION 1: Tattwa Shuddhi Chakra Sadhana Retreat, Diwali & Ashram Life
16th – 31st October 2025 (15 Nights)
Rikhiapeeth Ashram, India
Immerse yourself in a profound meditation experience during our Tattwa Shuddhi & Chakra Sadhana Retreat, nestled in the serene landscapes of India. This dynamic sadhana, deeply rooted in the Tantric Tradition, is designed to purify and harmonize the tattwas or elements within your being. By weaving together the transformative powers of Tattwa Shuddhi and Chakra Sadhana, you will embark on an enlightening journey of self-discovery and balance. Explore the Core of Your Being:
A holistic approach integrates asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), chakras (energy centers), mantras (sacred vibrations), yantras (geometric forms), and meditation, coupled with enriching theoretical insights. Together, these practices offer a comprehensive pathway to cleanse your inner elements and unlock practical applications for vibrant daily living. Unveiling Your Essence:
The retreat invites you to explore and refine the elements within. The five fundamental tattwas—Earth (Prithvi), Water (Apas), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), and Ether/Space (Akasha)—are harmonized with the profound energy work of the chakras. ‘Tattwa’ embodies the various principles shaping our existence, while ‘Shuddhi’ signifies a profound purification, an exploration into revealing our true Essence. Journey Through the Chakras:
Incorporating Chakra Sadhana, participants will deepen their understanding of the energy centers, learning how to balance, activate, and align them with the elements. This integration cultivates a state of inner stillness, mental clarity, and heightened receptivity, empowering you to tap into your fullest potential. A Traditional Ashram Experience:
Held within the nurturing ambience of a traditional ashram, the retreat offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in ashram life, participating in special rituals, chanting, and seva (selfless service). This enriching environment fosters a sense of community and supports your transformational journey. Diwali – The Festival of Light:
Diwali, celebrating the Hindu New Year, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Honoring Lakshmi, the Goddess of Abundance, this festival is a time of sharing, giving, and celebrating life’s sweetness. Through Havan and Pooja, we embrace the grace of giving and receiving, fostering selflessness and dedicating our actions to the greater good.
On Diwali eve, our Ashram glows with thousands of candles, symbolizing how our inner light shines brighter within a supportive community. Join us in celebrating Diwali, where we unite to amplify our inner light and spread joy and hope. Tattwa Shuddhi Chakra Sadhana Retreat, Diwali & Ashram Life
USD$1780 All inclusive of food, accommodation, travel and courses within India
OPTION 2: Includes all aspects of Option 1 PLUS Bihar School of Yoga Immersion
29th September – 31st October 2025 (32 Nights)

We will travel together to Munger to join the Hatha Yoga-Karma Yoga Training and delve into ashram life in an authentic ashram. After settling into ashram life, we join the Hatha Yoga-Karma Yoga course from the 3rd to 11th October 2025 and after completing the course, spend some time integrating the experiences with an ashram life stay.

Experience Transformative Yoga at the Bihar School of Yoga:
Join us at the esteemed Bihar School of Yoga under the guidance of Swami Niranjananda for an enriching journey where tradition meets transformation. This immersive experience delves into the Yoga Chakra, or the Wheel of Yoga, seamlessly integrating the powerful practices of Hatha Yoga and Karma Yoga.

Hatha & Karma Yoga: A Harmonious Union
In this program, Hatha Yoga serves as the practice-oriented spoke of the wheel, offering physical postures, pranayama, mudra and bandha that leads to profound inner awareness. This newfound understanding and experience are then channeled through Karma Yoga, inviting participants to express this wisdom in thought, word, and action throughout the day.

Holistic Purification & Ashram Lifestyle:
Together, these two branches focus on purifying the body, mind, and self, fostering a balanced and harmonious existence. Embrace the authentic Ashram Lifestyle, which includes seva (selfless service), mantra meditation, and communal living, as you engage with like-minded souls in a nurturing environment.

Come be part of this unique opportunity to align your inner and outer worlds, gain deeper insights into your practice, and live yoga in every moment.
The official Anahata program ends on the 31st of October 2025. We will be happy to help facilitate the below opportunities and it is likely that one of the retreat leaders will be present over the Yajna timeframe.

Hatha Yoga-Karma Yoga Training, Tattwa Shuddhi Chakra Sadhana, Diwali & Ashram Life at Bihar School of Yoga and Rikhia Peeth
USD $2,720 All inclusive of food, accommodation, travel to and between the ashrams and courses within India

BOOKINGS CLOSE 31st May 2025 for this option
ADD ONS by donation
Ashram Life 1 – 20th November 2025
Integrate the experience of Tattwa Shuddhi and Chakra Sadhana by immersing yourself in the daily activities of the ashram, by practicing Karma Yoga / Seva alongside the ashram residents. The basis of ashram life is selfless service. The ashram lifestyle reveals to us how to become free from the dictates of the mind and regain control over our life. In today’s day and age this has become most relevant, as the ashram lifestyle makes us aware of our immense potential and enables us to give that a constructive direction. We learn to direct and expand the mind by adopting the spirit of selfless service, which in turn blossoms in our life as creativity and excellence in thought, word, and deed.
“Yajnas confer peace, plenty and prosperity through the medium of divine energy that is invoked by mantra and ritual… It is not asana or pranayama or Dhyana…this is yajna, where the mind, intellect and intelligence have no role to play. In this situation child-like innocence and spontaneity pay higher dividends than intellect.” Swami Satsangi
Immerse in sacred celebrations at Rikhia Peeth Ashram 21 – 25th November 2025 Sat Chandi Mahayajna:
This is a grand yajna celebrating the Divine Mother in her many forms. This sacred ritual invokes her blessings of compassion, strength, and wisdom. Through powerful chants, sacred offerings, and heartfelt devotion, participants will honor the nurturing and transformative energy of the Divine Feminine. 30th Nov – 4th December 2025 Yoga Purnima:
This marks the celebration of luminous spiritual energy dedicated to deepening our yoga practice and connecting with universal consciousness as represented by Shiva.
Experience the unique atmosphere of the ashram, where each moment is infused with devotion, learning, community spirit and the qualities of serve, love and give are expressed. Join fellow seekers in celebrating these profound events that support spiritual enrichment and an expanded heart.
India Practice & Presentation Sessions

Join Swami Karma Karuna to find out more about the upcoming journey to India with Hatha Yoga, Slideshow Presentation with Q & A.
Feeling the call to journey to India? Come with your questions and curiosity.
Session 1: Sunday 27th April 1-2:30pm NZT,11-12:30 AEST, 6pm PDT
Session 2: Wednesday, 21st May 7-8:30pm NZT, 5pm AEST, 9am CEST
Session 3: Wednesday, 18th June 7-8:30pm NZT, 5pm AEST, 9am CEST
Session 4: Sat 12th July 12pm NZT, 10am AEST, 5pm Fri PDT, 8pm EDT
Please register here
Bookings
Does this sound like an adventure for you?
Please register your interest via email: indiaretreat@anahata-retreat.org.nz
EARLY BIRD: 10% Discount: Ends 31st May 2025
OPTION 2 BOOKINGS CLOSE: 31st May 2025
A limited number of partial Scholarships are available. Please contact us for more information and an application.
View the Itinerary Options and Inclusions HERE
*All participants are responsible for international flights to/from India, any solo travel while in India, and return travel plans upon exiting the Ashram.
