City (Felicity) West
Kaukapakapa, Auckland, Aotearoa (New Zealand)
I teach a regular monthly class at Satmya Yoga on a Sunday, 10am - 12:30pm.
We have a vibrant little Qoya community in Kaukapakapa, which is only a 15min drive from Silverdale. For dates and bookings please visit http://www.satmyayoga.com/womens-class/
Join the Qoya Events - Australasia Facebook group for information on classes offered around Aotearoa.
I'm City (Felicity). I'm an artist, a mama, yoga teacher and yoga therapist, truth seeker, meditator, kitchen dancer, and recovering perfectionist. Since I found Qoya and became a mama, I've ditched my search for balance and perfection. I now explore what it's like to simply lean into life and trust what feels good in my body. I embrace the messy and imperfect aspects of myself, and I like to follow the winks and nudges from the Universe to guide my way. It is an absolute honour to create sacred space for women to gather, dance and connect through ritual, community and movement. It's such a joy to teach Qoya classes and together remember what it means to be wise, wild and free.
When did you take your first Qoya class?
I took my very first Qoya class on the 25th February, 2016, and the experience is etched onto my heart forever as a pivotal moment in my life. I had gone through a long miscarriage which left me completely lost, disconnected, and mistrusting of my body. My dear friend and Qoya teacher Samar Ocean Wolf Ciprian had a vision of me doing Qoya and gave me a gentle nudge by sending the link to Rochelle's Feel Deeply to Heal Deeply video. Dancing and moving woke parts of me that had been asleep for years. I had never felt so alive or as present in my body as I did after I took that class. I also fell head over heels in love with Qoya and knew I wanted to teach.
I had the joyful experience of taking my first real life Qoya class with Samar on April 3rd, 2016. The theme was "Sweet Release," and that class was truly life-changing in so many ways. I am so grateful Qoya found me, healed me so deeply. and continues to heal me every time I dance and teach.
What does it mean for you to teach Qoya?
To be in service to women in my community. To answer my soul's call in offering something meaningful. It feels like such a privilege to come together with a group of women to laugh, cry, dance, and support each other. From that first real life Qoya class, I felt I had come home. I felt I had found what I had been searching for. It is an honour to now teach classes and witness other women having that same homecoming back to themselves.
What is your favourite song to dance to right now?
Oooh, it changes all the time, but I am particularly loving some circling to 'Landslide' by The Japanese House, hip opening to 'The Untold Tale of Ikaros' by Antonia Vai, and free dance to 'Solo Dancing' by Indiana.
What book has inspired you on the path to embodying the feminine?
Women Who Run With The Wolves. It planted seeds when I was 20 that I feel have slowly blossomed into beautiful wild flowers now I'm turning 40, and Qoya has played a huge role in watering and nourishing those seeds.
What would you tell someone who is thinking of taking a Qoya class for the first time?
Follow that call and trust that you've been drawn to Qoya for a reason. Try not to overthink it; just show up with an open heart and mind. Let the music and your body lead the way.