Summer Knight

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What are your sun, moon and rising placements?

Sun—Libra. Moon—Gemini. Rising—Scorpio.

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What was the journey to the ‘you of now’?

Potent question. Potent indeed. To prevent falling into a full life story, I would put it most simply: I followed my intuition, whether I liked it or not. Intuition is both the ultimate guide and birthright, but sometimes it gets lost in the mist of self doubt. 

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How would you describe your life force?

Beauty, in all its forms. Beauty in interaction, beauty in the ground beneath which we walk. Beauty in what I see, what I eat—I drink! Beauty is my life force. To create beauty, to share beauty, to live in beauty, is ever-sustaining. Because there is beauty in life and death. Beauty in the cycle of life. 

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What is your favourite practice and why?

I feel this is a fluid question and if you asked me tomorrow, it would be different. But right now. My favourite ritual is practising presence with myself, breathing deeply in the moment that is. I’m writing this in the middle of a wine bar after a long day at work and I am ecstatic, I am alone. With my book, with my wine, with my breath. I need and want not for anything more. 

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What is a current thread of inquiry you’re following? What are you learning?

I am following my lack of permission to rest. Which is ironic as I’m a yin and Yoga Nidra teacher. I’m learning to rest in a society that prioritises continual momentum, and it’s hard to stand still amongst the chaos, but it’s worth it. Rest is regeneration. 

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What is a piece of wisdom guiding you at the moment?

Peace is this moment, without judgement. That is all.

— Words shared through my meditation teacher Tara Brach, written by Dorothy Hunt. 

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Who is someone who has been influential in your life?

There are many. My beautiful friend Kiri Spiotta who showed me my yoga teaching vision could manifest, my beautiful partner who lives and loves seemingly without question, the old geezer in the surf a couple years ago who told me to soften my stance. Influence is everywhere. 

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What is it that you share with the Auckland wellness community? And how can people join in?

I share regular yin and vinyasa classes throughout Auckland, and my home studio is Eastwest (come say hey whenever). I am also sharing monthly Life Drawing sessions at Goblin, follow them or myself to stay in the loop. I am also a painter with a home studio in Riverhead. I sell my work through commission or inquiry. 

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What’s a book that’s had an impact on you and why?

Most recently? Girls That Invest by Simran Kaur has enabled me to start my investing journey to creating my own generational wealth. A complete and palatable game-changer. 

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