Rosa Santana

Space Studio, Wellington, NZ, January 2021. Photo by Campbell May.

RYT 800

800-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher In 2017, I moved to Australia and devoted a year to yoga teacher training at the Byron Yoga Centre in NSW. I began to teach yoga in Byron Bay, then I travelled and taught in the Canary Islands and in Sri Lanka. Finally arriving in NZ and making Wellington my sangha, where I became a full time yoga teacher.

 

I love holding classes that integrate asana, philosophy, meditation, pranayama and mantra with guitar. When I’m not teaching or practicing yoga I’m employed in graphic design or other creative projects, delving into spiritual books or looking out for waves to surf and sunshine to drop into.

 

I look forward to sharing and practicing with you! Stay happy & calm.

Space Studio, Wellington, NZ, February 2020. Photo by wonderbird.nz.

CLASSES

Classes focus on alignment and safety. They usually start with a grounding meditation with the sound of a singing bowl. Pranayama breath control and ‘om’ chantings are an option. You are invited to bring a ‘Sankalpa’(intention) that harmonises mind and body into something that you’d like to cultivate in your life. The Asana sequence (poses) is creative and change in levels of pace and challenge, including disciplines or styles like Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra….). Music alternates with silence in the background. And a soul-melting live mantra with guitar will bring you back from Savasana (final corpse pose). Hands on adjustments (with consent) are frequently offered with lavender scent.

Inspired by a devotion to keep the traditions of yoga alive beyond the physical practice I aim to share glimpses of philosophy while quoting books from my favourite authors like are Thich Nhat Hanh, Ram Dass, Rumi, Jeff Foster, Ekhart Tolle,…

Remind yourself it’s ok to rest in Child’s Pose even if everyone else is in plank pose. Listen to body needs in each moment, check your energy levels and to treat yourself like you would treat your best friend.

TESTIMONIALS

“Rosa is a rare type of yoga teacher who really understands the meaning of the word ‘Yoga’. Yoga is a path to self discovery not only through physical postures or asanas but more so through spiritual disciplines that involve meditation and service. Rosa’s yoga classes bring forth her own deep spiritual understanding combined with the asana practice that lead to a much warmer and engaging experience of Yoga. I enjoy attending her classes and highly recommend them to all those interested in not only the practice of yoga but also their own inner journey. ”
Muslim Badami, Wellington 2021
“I stopped in Wellington for the weekend to visit my partner and decided to spontaneously attend the Yin & Nidra class on Sunday with Rosa. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and halfway through the class when I had the thought cross my mind that I really did not want it to end, I was then beautifully surprised to find out that we were about to dive into a 40 minute guided meditation Nidra practice. In Rosa‘s class I found myself so easily able to drop into a deep relaxation within myself. She has the most gentle nature and her voice so easy to follow. It felt I was given space to expand and breathe and connect deeply with myself. Rosa is very attentive there for her students I felt held and supported in my practice. She floated around the room to help support people getting in to postures finding what it was they needed. She came around and wrapped a blanket around my body to make sure I was warm. And then just when I thought the class could not blow my mind anymore, Rosa began to softly play her guitar acoustic and sing with the most beautiful voice to the class to slowly bring us back to earth. Already I am planning my next visit to Wellington and without a doubt will be attending Rosa‘s classes again in the future. Already I had recommended two of my closest love ones to go and experience these classes with Rosa. Truly unforgettable experience and unlike any other yoga class I’ve taken in my life.”
Sarah Morley, Wellington, April 2021
“I still remember the first time I went to Rosa’s class at Space! It felt so nourishing and grounding. Rosa has the ability to make you feel comfortable from the very first moment. You can feel how she puts all her love in every class. She teaches you to always listen to your body and follow the class at your pace, which has been a game-changer for me. She will correct your posture with kindness (if you want to) allowing you to enjoy even more, progress and avoid injuries. And finally when she plays the guitar at the end of the class... it’s magical!”
Clara Arribas, Wellington 2021
“I instantly felt comfortable and welcomed when first attending Rosa’s community yoga class. Rosa has a lightness, warmth and humour that helps create her unique style that my fellow classmates and I really enjoy. I think her classes have a nice flow and with different options for poses I can challenge myself if it feels right for me which I enjoy. I really enjoy her encouragement during the class such as when she remind us that our body is stronger than our minds.”
Freya Davies, Wellington 2018
“Rosa creates a beautiful learning environment where I can safely grow my yoga practice. Her teachings offer a rich variety of asana and sequences with a clear theme and structure for each class. Rosa’s passion for yoga philosophy and physical alignment is contagious.”
Ming Janssen, Wellington 2018
“Rosa is warm and welcoming. In her community yoga classes I always feel comfortable and cared for as she offers adjustments to cater for all skill levels. She takes time to get to know people and what difficulties and challenges they might have coming into the class. As a human being Rosa is personable, funny and easy to connect with, light and easy going.”
Sam Ritchie, Wellington 2018
“Rosa brings warmth and compassion to every class. She focuses on the experience of the student, helping everyone to get the most they can from their practise. Rosa’s classes are inclusive and accessible, encouraging the personal journey over meeting expectations. Rosa spreads her positive energy to the people around her, and I always leave her classes in a blissful daze.”
Zoë Isaacs, Wellington 2018
“Rosa is friendly and easy to talk to and interested in other people. She builds a relationship with us, the students, and we can approach her with any question. I really appreciate that she is very knowledgeable about posture alignment. That makes me feel cared for and supported.”
Michaela Urbanova, Wellington 2018
“As someone who had never been to a yoga class or studio before, and never experienced the changes in body and soul through the flow and shapes of yoga, I can now attest to the wonderful benefits of yoga for both body and soul. I am much more flexible, stronger, and able to channel stress differently most of the time. Importantly, I’m prouder and more accepting of my body and it’s gift of service to me - and less critical and impatient, freeing me up to be grateful for all of it. Rosa has been instrumental in this, and while Rosa’s classes often suit my schedule, it’s her passion, her encouragement, her gentleness, and her ability to make each person feel known and cared for in the room, even if it’s their first time - these are some of the aspects that make my experiences in Rosa’s classes very special, and I’ve now become quite a regular in her classes when I’m able to attend.”
Anjela Webster, Wellington 2021
“Yoga with Rosa is nourishing and energising at the same time. She’s so encouraging wherever you are at and has so many small beautiful touches like her singing and the little massage that just make the whole experience blissful.”
Sarrah Jayne, Wellington 2021
“Rosa hosts the space to nurture your yoga practice in such a fun and safe way. Rosa is attentive, offering adjustments and always taking care of her students alignment. Her personal passion for yoga and devotion to her practice emanates into her classes. Rosa’s enthusiasm and dedication to the community is clear to see and the atmosphere is always warm and inviting in her classes. I immensely enjoy the beautiful mantra and guitar accompaniment in her classes.”
Campbell May, Wellington 2021
“Rosa has been working with us in The Surfer Surf Camp Sri Lanka as a yoga teacher , during her time she has been a really good yoga teacher who did teach with passion and love , I definitely can recommend her as a great yoga teacher, I hope she will come to work us in another season.”
Lahiru, The Surf Weligama, Sri Lanka 2019