All about: the New Balance Wellness Weekend

Needing some health and wellness inspo to kick off the countdown to summer? You just may find it at the upcoming New Balance Wellness Weekend, which starts this Thursday!
A wonderfully curated weekend of health, wellbeing, and athleisure to find your perfect fit, the iconic brand invites Kiwis to nurture their mental and physical health, hosting a four-day fitness and wellbeing pop up, open to everyone. It is a unique opportunity for you to immerse yourself in a full athleisure experience through moments of mindfulness, movement, food, and friends.
This pop-up will transcend a typical exercise event, with New Balance providing opportunities to learn about wellness beyond the physical. Renowned leaders in fitness and wellbeing have gathered from across Aotearoa to offer a range of unique classes and workshops in varying intensities throughout the weekend, all completely free of charge.
In addition to a packed timetable of fitness classes and workshops led by Auckland’s most beloved trainers, everyone will also have access to free breathwork sessions, nutrition workshops, goal-setting classes, styling tips and tricks and guided meditation. There is something for everyone, and two of my all-time favourite instructors – Nikki Ralston and Maria Munkowits – are on the bill!
The weekend aims to provide everyone with the opportunity to try new experiences without signing up to a membership or spending any money, and New Balance’s latest athleisure collection, intended to be the bridge between athletic and lifestyle apparel, will be available to browse on location throughout the weekend.

Some of my personal picks for the four-day weekend are:
Yoga with Nikki Ralston
Nikki Ralston is a natural teacher and a teacher of teachers. She has been working with the human body for over 25 years through yoga and hands on body work, she has been at the forefront of popularising yoga in New Zealand. Creator of The Ralston Method her teaching combines evidence based mind, body practices with ancient wisdom, making the practice functional, relevant and fun. Nikki's passion and drive are instantly infectious, empowering you to nurture your body, soul and mind.

Barre & Guided Meditation with Maria Munkowits
Maria originally trained as a professional dancer and has since cultivated a depth of teaching experience in a wide range of physical and wellness modalities, including Yoga, Barre and Pilates. She has always been a passionate advocate of movement and mindfulness both on and off the mat, expanding her repertoire over the past 10 years. Maria will support you to move your body with strength, grace and ease in a nurturing environment, integrating breath and alignment to enhance your experience.

Stretch with SALA (Ellie and Abby)
Ellie is a yoga teacher and breathwork facilitator. With experience in vinyasa, yin and hot yoga, she is passionate about sharing movement from the perspective of holistic wellbeing. The mission is to empower people to regain control of themselves through breath, movement and routine and welcome in a new balance to mind and body.
Abby is a Yoga and HIIT Pilates instructor at some of Auckland's leading studios. Abby has been sharing her passion as an instructor for 5 years and facilitates wellness retreats across New Zealand. Movement is a form of connection for Abby and she strives to connect people with their physical and mental bodies through movement.

Fitness All Together (FAT)
Kevin Pichot is the owner of FAT and has over 10 years’ experience as a group fitness instructor in which his roles as a leader and a motivator are extensive. His infectious energy and his distinct accent also doesn’t go unnoticed. With his French heritage, Kevin lives up to the “Go hard but stay fun” mentality and prides himself on high energy workouts that constantly challenge the entire body.

Breathwork with Sarah Lamb
Sarah is an experienced Breathwork Guide and Alchemy of Breath Facilitator offering Breathwork at wellness studios and privately in Auckland. With a degree in Physical Education and Physiology and a life-long passion for holistic wellbeing, discovering the powerful practice of Breathwork and now guiding others has been a natural progression. She is a self-confessed science geek and loves to share the magical mix of ancient art and modern science in her sessions.

Hair styling masterclass with Michael Mendel
Michael Mendel is a hairstylist and ghd’s senior educator for New Zealand. His portfolio includes working at several international fashion weeks, photoshoots, and TV Shows. As a stylist, he loves creating beautiful and effortless-looking hair.

Dance class with Shyvon Campbell
Shyvon is a professional dancer, trained in hip hop and commercial styles. She has danced alongside Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Halsey, Black Eyed Peas, Demi Lovato and featured in one of the most viewed music videos, “Sorry - Justin Bieber’. Shyvon has performed on US’ biggest stage for the Superbowl and most recently was a part of Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show for the 5th season.

Hosted at the Common Space Studio in Grey Lynn and off-site locations across Tāmaki Makaurau, the
Wellness Weekend kicks off this Thursday November 24th with a packed schedule through till Sunday November27th.
Each class is free but has limited numbers – visit here to secure spots through Eventbrite.