Andrew Raba Yoga Education

• YES website

Andrew is the director of the Yoga Education in Schools Charitable Trust based in Aotearoa / New Zealand. For several years he has taught yoga in schools across the country starting in Auckland where he works as a school librarian at a busy inner city college.Andrew is leading the initiative to bring physical, mental and emotional health and resiliency to young people across Aotearoa / New Zealand. He is also the programme lead for the same project at an international level.After completing his 500-hour qualification in 2020, he undertook a one year ashram residency in Fiji to deepen his practice and teaching. A published author, Andrew has written extensively on the subject of yoga and meditation for many platforms, including Embodied Philosophy and Tarka Journal.He is also a professional librarian with over ten years experience developing literacy levels and a love of stories in kindergartens, libraries, and secondary schools across New Zealand. He holds an MA from Victoria University specialising in psychology and literature.

The Yoga Education in Schools Charitable Trust is an initiative to bring Yoga into New Zealand schools.Delivered in-person or fully online, it addresses the mental health crisis among our young people with easy-to-learn practices centred around the breath.Our flagship course is the 2-Day Training workshop designed for teachers across primary, secondary and tertiary institutes in New Zealand. The course trains educators within schools to become able to pass on simple yoga techniques for health and wellbeing to students and others within the school community.The Yoga Education in Schools Charitable Trust shares practices that are non-religious, supported by scientific evidence to improve mental and emotional wellbeing, and are easy to do for all body types, ages, health conditions, and cultural backgrounds.

Te Kahui Ako o Waitemata

I was a complete beginner when I went to Andy's first session with a group of teachers. After just one session of breathing yoga, I felt a significant change. The deeper breathing that connects with the movements made me feel calmer and more centred and balanced . I didn't need to think too hard about which move was coming next as Andy's instructions were perfectly timed to allow flow, even for inexperienced people. Thanks to Andy I now do breathing yoga as a daily practice.
- Trina Sellers, Music Teacher, AucklandI never knew how to connect with my breath to calm my mind. I feel so much better after practicing and know that I could do this every day
- Student, Takapuna Grammar School, AucklandFabulous way to start the day. Can take on the world after a session. Routines are doable regardless of fitness level and flexibility- I have been doing it regularly after a knee replacement. Mood is always lighter and outlook brighter.
- Heather Dikstaal, Classics Teacher, Western Springs CollegeWe have so much fun and I like being still and peaceful at the end.
-Cara, Age 7, Ngaio Holiday ProgrammeYour yoga classes are most enjoyable! I have found them to be a great way to start a Friday. Your calm, soothing voice, along with your easy to follow directions make for a class that I look forward to coming back to. Mauri ora!
- Matua Craig Baily, Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, Auckland"Peaceful. The breath is peaceful." Year 11 student, Western Springs College