Jo Woolley Yoga

05/09/2026

A lovely afternoon of yoga with the OUSA - Otago University Students' Association community! 🧘‍♀️💜

We were looking forward to practising on Union Lawn, but a rain squall came through just before we began, so we moved inside to the Main Common Room and found a beautiful spot in the atrium. The natural light and trees created such a calm setting for our session.

Our group of eight students came from as far afield as Rwanda, Zimbabwe, India, Ohio and Melbourne and other countries. For many, it was their very first yoga experience!

I loved sharing my tradition of yoga: taking things one step at a time, with a focus on alignment, strength, suppleness and balance. Everyone worked at their own pace, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm.

Thank you to OUSA Executive Rihana for inviting me to be part of their Mid-Sem Wellness initiative, and to these lovely students for joining me! 💜

I love these pop-up classes! Looking forward to another one on the lawn soon, hopefully with some sunshine! ☀️🧘‍♀️

21/08/2026

Back on the mat! 🧘‍♀️🌴

My studio classes are back, and if you’re new to Jo Woolley Yoga, next week is a great time to come and join us.

The studio is an inner-city sanctuary on George Street, with beautiful kauri floors, large windows and an uplifting, calm ambience. And at Monday’s 7am women’s class, the changing colours of the sunrise become part of our practice. 🌅

Coming home from 10 fabulous days exploring Tanna, Santo and Efate in Vanuatu, I’ve been reminded just how special sunrise yoga can be.

There was swimming, snorkelling coral reefs, jungle hiking, blue holes, beaches, a volcano — and, of course, yoga at sunrise! 🌺🌊

My first sunrise yoga was at Matevulu Lodge, with the Riri Blue Hole within swimming distance, and my last morning at Turtle Cove Villas, where turtles swam by and curious eagle rays came to check me out.

We were warmly welcomed everywhere we went, and I’m so grateful for the wonderful experiences, people and memories. 🙏

View the timetable and book your class:
www.jowoolleyyoga.co.nz/timetable

19/08/2026

Back on the mat! 🧘🌴

After 10 fabulous days exploring the islands of Tanna, Santo and Efate in Vanuatu, I’ve come home feeling re-energised and very happy to be back on the mat.

Swimming in tropical waters, snorkelling coral reefs, jungle hiking, blue holes, beaches, a volcano, and, of course, yoga at sunrise! My first morning yoga was at Matevulu Lodge with the Riri Blue Hole within swimming distance, and my last morning at Turtle Cove Villas where turtles swam by and curious eagle rays came to check me out. 🌺🐠🌊

We were warmly welcomed everywhere we went, and I’m so grateful for the wonderful experiences and memories. 🙏

It’s been lovely having everyone back in class this week, I’ve definitely missed you! 💛

I can’t wait to see my Thursday students tomorrow.

If you’ve been meaning to get back on the mat after a winter break, you’re very welcome to join us. All studio classes are also livestreamed via Zoom, so you can join from wherever you are. 🧘‍♀️

See the full class timetable and book your place at www.jowoolleyyoga.co.nz/timetable

24/07/2026

❄️🩵 Stillness Meets the Chillness – Just 2 Days to Go

This Sunday I'll be taking the plunge in my second annual Otago Ice Bath Challenge to raise funds for Otago Community Hospice!

This photo was taken during one of our Winter Wellness mornings last June, when our Sunrise Yoga group headed into the ocean after beach yoga, followed by a warming sauna with Oranga Saunas 🔥 This weekend, I'll be swapping the sea for an ice bath!

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. Together we've raised $280 towards my $500 goal, so I'm now just $220 away.

If you've been meaning to donate, this is your last chance before the challenge. Every donation, no matter the size, helps Otago Community Hospice continue the incredible care and support they provide to local people and their families.

Thank you so much for helping me get closer to my goal 💙

If you’d like to support my Ice Bath Challenge for Otago Community Hospice, you can donate here 👉 https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/stillness-meets-the-chillness-taking-the-plunge

18/07/2026

Yoga Is About So Much More Than Touching Your Toes 💛

This week, to celebrate my birthday, my Wednesday 10.15am yoga class joined me for a delicious lunch at Taste Nature Cafe

I was completely spoiled with a beautiful card and a set of herbs for my sunroom windowsill, gosh, they know me so well! 🌿

One of the unexpected joys of being a yoga teacher isn’t just teaching yoga, it’s the wonderful community that grows around it.

Over the years, I’ve watched friendships form, confidence grow, and people discover that yoga is not about how flexible you are. It’s about feeling stronger, more mobile and more connected.

Thank you to my lovely Wednesday morning yogis for making my birthday so special. 💚

22/06/2026

✨ International Yoga Day ✨

A wonderful morning of yoga with six students in the studio and three joining online.

Together we explored core strength, balance, strong legs and glutes, and mobility through the hips and hamstrings, all helping to support a healthy back.

Oops — I forgot to take a photo of the class! So instead, here’s a Warrior III shot from a photoshoot a couple of years ago. This is one of the postures we worked towards yesterday, first using shelf support, before exploring the full balance.

A lovely reminder that yoga is about the journey of building strength, stability and understanding, not just the final pose.

And a special treat: a new student discovered she was in the front row of the photo on our yoga wall, together with my regular students from the record-breaking New Zealand Festival of Nature NatureDome yoga event at Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2025! What a small world, and what a lovely connection to share 🙏

06/06/2026

Stillness Meets the Chillness – I’m Taking the Plunge Again! 🩵🧘

I’m taking on the Otago Ice Bath Challenge again this year, joining a larger BNI Dunedin team to raise funds for Otago Community Hospice.

Hospice provides compassionate care, dignity, and support to people and families in our community when it matters most.

On challenge day, I’ll be stepping into an ice bath for up to 5 minutes 🥶 — a real practice in breath, presence, and staying calm under pressure.

As a yoga teacher, I’ll be preparing in the lead up with plenty of cold showers.

If you’d like to support this cause, you can donate here:
👉 https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/stillness-meets-the-chillness-taking-the-plunge

Every donation is deeply appreciated 💙

03/06/2026

Winter Wellness Sunrise Yoga at St Clair Beach 🌊☀️

What a beautiful way to spend a winter morning.

As the sun rose over the ocean, we gathered for yoga on the beach, enjoying calm seas, early morning light, and the company of a very special pakake (New Zealand sea lion) who settled nearby during our practice.

We maintained a respectful distance and simply shared the beach while the sea lion rested nearby.

A local resident captured the moment and later shared it with the What's News Dunedin community, bringing smiles to hundreds of people across Dunedin.

Thank you to everyone who joined me for this special morning 💙

Keep an eye on this page for future Winter Wellness Sunrise Yoga sessions at St Clair Beach. I'll announce each event a few days beforehand when the forecast looks calm, crisp and sunny 🦭🌊☀️🧘‍♀️

16/04/2026