Trudy - grateful - it’s been a privilege

There’s a perception from the misinformed or non-yoga critics that the 5000 year discipline from India is for those who are aligned with a close-knit group of a community who are familiar with vernacular such as ‘core’ and ‘downward dog’ as Labour is with cost of living and inflation.

Let me tell you, this writer had that same perception with all things dog and Lycra clad when I encountered the Spring Creek community hall and ‘The Yoga Room’ recently. The hall is a wee haven and gem in the Blenheim wellbeing landscape. There is no ‘should’ in the class. The beauty of yoga is that ‘we are all individuals’ and indeed there is no ‘one size fits all.’Phew!

nity. Picton, Rarangi, Grovetown and on first impressions, is a welcoming, friendly, tranquil environment and is open to all.

The regular classes of 12-15 people, suit ‘students’ of all ages, levels and abilities. No need to touch your toes, if you can’t, Trudy reiterates.

Trudy says her joy and passion is connecting with people from all walks of life - supporting and encouraging their own personal yoga journey in the most nurturing way possible.

Nurturing and encouraging are apt words as she peruses the class with a watchful eye to make sure they all feel safe and within their own physical limits.

“It has to come from the heart,” she says, when asked what makes an effective yoga teacher. “I have a personal relationship with everyone that walks through my door and I know all their names. They mean something to me. The personal journey with each student is not a mechanical one, I know the abilities of every person and how far to encourage them. All of that has to come into the teaching.”

Cue (nearly) 70-years young Trudy Hennessy.

A registered yoga teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance (sounds like something from a Star Wars anthology) who teaches a combination of Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga styles - there goes that vernacular again - blending safe alignment with flowing sequences while specialising in back care.

Bend your knees, not your back. I’ve heard that somewhere before.

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means “union” or “to join” and can be traced back to northern India over 5,000 years ago. History states Indian monks spread their knowledge of yoga in the West during the late 1890s with modern yoga teachings becoming widely popular in Western countries by the 1970s.

What started in the Spring Creek church hall with four people has grown into a wee holistic beehive. Trudy’s classes include people from all walks of the wider Marlborough commu-

Trudy says Covid meant her yoga classes and planning had to be flexible with ‘reconnecting’ and ‘grounding’ by simply breathing. She says reading a person on any given day is vital and having the ability to adapt based on their respective ‘current wellbeing’.

“The feedback I get is that people are attracted to the classes because of my life experiences and yoga knowledge,” she says. “Training in India with the greatest, Iyengar (founder and style of yoga, considered the guru) and learning with him was life changing. I look back with such gratitude.”

She reflects there has been numerous funny or light-hearted moments in class and infers that ‘farting is allowed’ adding ‘they get permission from me’. Bless.

Her own yoga journey began over 30 years in Christchurch with the well-respected Iyengar Yoga teacher Wendy Brown. At the time, Trudy was challenged with ‘back issues’ which later led to spinal surgery. She is adamant the holistic benefits of yoga have been life-changing and says she is passionate about sharing the gift of yoga with everyone.

Having said that, ironically Trudy says there is never a day when she comes to the mat and thinks that she ‘is good enough’. She confesses she doesn’t do it for the money and ‘charging’ $13 per class (she whispers this) as opposed to higher rates in ‘other yoga classes’ reflects the ‘heart’ behind the discipline and business. “Yoga should be attainable for everybody,” she says. “If anybody turned up to my door and didn’t have money they are welcome.”

“I am immensely grateful for the support and encouragement of many Yoga teachers both in New Zealand and around the world including BKS Iyengar (India), Nicky Knoff and James Byron (Australia). These teachers have supported me in my own practice with their knowledge and wisdom, and have greatly influenced my teaching.”

The savasana was a personal favourite

(meaning corpse) where one is in the lie down, relaxation pose and typically practised at the end of a yoga class - why aren’t more people doing this in the office environment?

Trudy has four weeks left in the role. Her house is sold and will be leaving Blenheim to be closer to her family on the Gold Coast in Australia.

So what’s been the best part of the past 16 years?

“I’ve had the privilege of sharing something so amazing with people. It’s never felt a burden or a chore. Do you know what it’s going to feel for me, I said to one of classes recently? Getting up every morning and my purpose is gone.”

And yet, there is and will be a new-found purpose for Trudy.

“I can’t wait to see my three grandchildren over there. Taking care and cooking for the family. Being the best Mum I can be.” Namaste.

Marlborough secures road recovery funding Take care on shared paths

Marlborough District Council has been successful in its bid to gain further central Government funding to help repair its stormdamaged roads. Two heavy rain events in July 2021 and August 2022 caused extensive damage across its network running into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Last week the Waka Kotahi board agreed to fund 95 per cent of $52.39M, or $49.77M. The Council would provide the remaining five per cent, or $2.62M.

“This is fantastic news and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this outcome,” Mayor Nadine Taylor said.

“Thanks in particular to Waka Kotahi for agreeing to the financial assistance rate (FAR) of 95%. I understand and appreciate the Government is under significant pressure and facing funding requests from North Island regions for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery and rebuild.”

The new funding enables Awatere Valley, Northbank and Waihopai Valley road repairs to be completed, as well as a one-year extension of barge and water taxi subsidies in the Marlborough Sounds. The new money also includes funding for design for repairing high priority sites on Queen Charlotte Drive, and costs for some repairs in the Sounds that are necessary to maintain access, prior to the outcome of the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study.

“This is great news for our communities. There is however some way to go with the next round of public engagement Council is conducting on the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study coming up at the end of this month, when we will be seeking public feedback on the ‘emerging preferred option’ for each of the five damaged areas in the Sounds.”

For further information on the Study and the drop-in and online meetings taking place from 20 to 28 June, go to: www. marlborough.govt.nz/services/roads-andtransport/marlborough-sounds-futureaccess-study/2023-public-consultationmsfas

Previous funding allocations of $85.3M and $3.45M were provided at a 95% FAR by Waka Kotahi, bringing Marlborough’s total storm recovery funding to date to $141.14M.

With more users on shared pathways in Marlborough, it’s timely to remind people of etiquette to ensure a good experience for everyone, Road Safety Co-ordinator Robyn Blackburn said.

“The Taylor River is a good example of a shared pathway regularly used by cyclists, pedestrians, dog walkers and others,” she said. “Etiquette boards along the river explain the rules – keep left, move off the path when stopped and if on a bike, warn others when approaching.”

Shared paths such as the Taylor River pathway and the Marina to Marina Track are designed for slower and more relaxed travel. While there are no speed limits in place, it is not safe for cyclists or those on mobility scooters or e scooters to ride quickly.

“If you’re riding an e-bike you should be in a low power setting at a speed that doesn’t put other users at risk. All cyclists must warn slower users they are approaching from behind to avoid startling them and help to make everyone feel comfortable. Where possible ride on the left and pass on your right,” Robyn said.

Shared paths on reserves such as the Wither Hills and Victoria Domain require the same etiquette although where possible, tracks have been separated to allow for more enjoyment.

The Wither Hills has many specific biking and walking tracks and users should stay in the area designated for their activity.

“If you happen to find yourself riding a bike on a walking path, dismount and walk,” Robyn said. “Likewise, if you find yourself walking or running on a cycle track move off as cyclists will not expect pedestrians and could be travelling at speed.”

Such situations put users at risk and any incidents should be reported to Council through its crash/near miss reporting system - www.marlborough.govt.nz/recreation/ cycling-and-walking/cycling/report-a-crashor-near-miss