From Californian Coastal Redwoods to New Brighton
- Lucy
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
Before you begin to read, take a moment to pause. As the clocks turn back and the light fades, ask yourself:
In this season of "softening," am I reaching for more, or am I strengthening what is already here?
The Promise Kept
In February, I left you with a bit of a cliffhanger. I told you I was heading away to find the giants, the Coastal Redwoods, to see what they could teach me about reaching for the highest branches and growing those large, solid, outward limbs.
I found them. Standing in the silent, filtered light of the California groves, I realised that a Coastal Redwood’s greatness isn't just in its height; it’s in its lateral resilience. These trees don’t just grow up; they grow out, intertwining their roots (up tp 25-27m wide) with the trees beside them to stay standing through centuries of Pacific storms. They are the ultimate masters of Stability and Community.
Like me, they are lucky to live by the sea; they also need the essential sea fog and mist to survive, soaking the moisture up through their needles. I find the light sea spray on my face such a nourishing part of living by the ocean so I was pleased to discover the essentiality of the sea mist for these Giants.
The Ghosts and the Family Circles
Deep within the coastal valleys, I encountered the Ghosts of the Forest. rare Albino Redwoods that lack chlorophyll and rely entirely on the healthy green Redwoods to feed them through their intertwined root systems. In exchange, these "Ghost trees" act as a filter, they absorb metal contaminants from the soil aiding the growth of the trees around them.
I also saw the Redwood Family Circles or Fairy Rings. One way a Redwood can regenerate is by sending out basal sprouts, tiny clones that grow in a perfect circle around the parent tree. These sprouts share the same root system, feeding and protecting one another as they grow.
Just like the Redwoods, we don't have to start from scratch to grow; we can build on the strength of what came before us.
Submerging into the Redwoods
This experience was so profound that I’ve dedicated our latest Submerge Yin session entirely to the energy of the Coastal Redwoods. We explored the wisdom of these Giants on the mat,
I’ve taught this themed class in person at our New Brighton sanctuary, and I have also filmed it specifically for the Online Shore Studio. Now, our digital community can access that same grounded, forest-filtered calm from home.
Growing the Canopy: Outward Limbs at Wave Wellness
While my personal sanctuary is at the beach in Waimairi, my "outward limbs" have been reaching firmly into our community to support our "Sea Kin" in new ways.
Looking back at March, we were already stretching those branches wide:
The Duke Festival: It was an absolute honour to sponsor the Duke Festival of Surfing in March. Supporting the Hot Box Sauna and the Over 40 Women's Longboard division felt like the perfect alignment of our coastal values.
Salt & Soul: March Meridian: I also had the joy of facilitating our private Salt & Soul: March Meridian retreat. It was a weekend of deep connection, aligning our internal rhythms with the shifting season before I headed off to find the giants.
As we move into April and May, the canopy continues to grow:
The Nelson Yoga Festival: Later this April, I’m heading north to support Hamish Kenworthy (NZ Yoga Teacher of the Year) as he delivers his workshop on Baddhas and Bandhas. Hamish is my partner in life, and supporting him is a real-world reflection of those Redwood roots, holding each other up so we can both reach higher.
Layers of Calm: The Style Anthology Edit: This Friday night (10th April), I am co-hosting an evening with Hazel at Style Anthology. Much like the Redwoods, this collaboration is about different worlds feeding into one another - conscious fashion meeting the mindful stillness of Yin yoga. We are fully booked for this free community event.
Hazel and I promoting our "Layers of Calm: The Anthology Edit" event Power in Pink: 8th May: I am also preparing for our major fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. This is a Power Vinaysa Yoga class themed to music, another collaboration, this time with Your Vital Life, (Yoga with Hamish). Tickets are now on sale, all profits go the the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Book in now here...this will be a great class to be at, fun to flow and all in aid of a worthy cause. Be quick to book in, places are limited and bookings essential.
New Horizons: I am scouting a couple of potential retreat venues this month. I am looking for spaces that capture that true coastal essence, places that feel as though they are breathed into life by the salt air and the rhythm of the tides.
Expanding the Circle: Our Shore Studio memberships are growing, and I’ve welcomed several new Personal Tide 1:1 clients. We’ve also officially launched our SuperGold offer for the Online Studio (15% off monthly memberships), and it’s been a joy to see our seniors joining.
The change of the season
Just as the Coastal Redwoods pull moisture from the sea mist to thrive, we draw strength from our surroundings and each other. As autumn comes into view, I invite you to look at your own "outward limbs."
As we submerge into the darker half of the year, who are you reaching for? Who is feeding your spirit, and whose "toxins" are you helping to filter?
We don’t have to be as tall as the Redwoods to be just as resilient. We just need to be willing to grow together.
I was amazed to find out the Redwood bark can be as thick as 12 inches, this offers a huge amount of protection; however, it still has suppleness to adapt, shed and grow with the tree!
See you on the mat,
Lucy
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