Yoga teacher Steph Leighton lying on a yoga mat with her legs draped over a bolster and her eyes closed. She is in a yoga studio surrounded by plants and candles. She wears pink tights and a white top.

Weaving ancient practices with modern movement science

Yoga and Meditation Teacher Steph Leighton stands against a white wall, holding a mug of tea and smiling at the camera. She wears a white tank top and dark blue yoga pants.

There are a lot of different styles of practice out there.

My offerings are grounded in the style of terra soma™ which is a blend of hatha yoga practises, non-dual tantric insights, somatic inquiry, and embodied nature awareness.

I love movement, meditation, and rest, all with a focus on our inner experience and our connection to the wider world. I thread the spiritual insights of the yoga tradition into my offerings as well as poetry and stories from around the world.

I have a deep love for Restorative Yoga. Finding ways to deeply rest and feel fully supported to find ease has been a true gift for me and my life and is one I love to share with others.

Yoga teacher Steph Leighton stands in the ocean at sunset. The pink and gold sky is reflected in the water. Steph wears a red floral dress and her eyes are closed in meditation. She holds her arms out to her sides, palms turned up to the sky.

We are moving to remember our selves home.

My approach is warm and invitational. I aim to weave these ancient practises with modern movement science in a way that is nurturing and supportive.

Together we can explore movement, breath and meditation. I am open to hear what does and does not work for you. I hope we can learn and grow together.

I often incorporate music and props (blankets, blocks, bolsters, straps). Additionally, there is the option to work with touch in our sessions.

Steph Leighton teaching a female yoga student. The student stands in mountain pose, while Steph stands beside her giving instructions.

CLIENT LOVE

“Steph made me feel so safe exploring movement through yoga. She made sure to ask what my body needed before we started a session and invited me to explore movement in a safe and nourishing way to my body.

I have always wanted to try yoga but had never seen anyone with my body shape doing it so always thought it wasn’t meant for me.

I guess I judged it and put it in the not for me basket. But through exploring yoga in a safe place with someone who truly loves and cares for the movement and theory practice behind the movement I can say I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to continue on my yoga journey with Steph.”

- Rochelle

I’M INSPIRED BY THE WORK OF

David Whyte

Donna Farhi

John O’Donohue

Michael Mead

Dr Scott Lyons

Lorin Roche

Jules Mitchell

Peter Levine

Tara Judelle

Christopher Wallace

Joanna Macy

Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen

I have been teaching in studios across Auckland since 2021 and I have been practising yoga since my late teens. Over the years, I have become more aware of my own patterning and found greater comfort in being with myself, in this body, and in the world.

What started as a largely physical practice for me, has transformed into so much more. It has supported me through times of challenge and times of joy.

Inspired by guiding friends through yoga practices on zoom through lockdowns, I completed my initial training in 2020 and began teachings in studios soon after. As an avid learner, I continue to attend trainings as well as read books and the latest research to expand my knowledge and experiences.

I aim to live and embody the teachings of yoga.

My natural curiosity initially led me to pursue a career in Engineering because it was able to answer some of my “why” questions around how things work. I have found the teachings of yoga can also answer some of my bigger “whys” of what it means to be a human in this world. I have now transitioned away from a desk job and moved towards working with people using the tools of yoga as my main vocation.

Qualifications

  • Registered Yoga Teacher (Level 2 - Yoga NZ)

  • Masters in Engineering in Bioengineering  (MEng)

  • iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Teacher

  • Foundational Yoga teacher training with Awakening Arts (200hr)

  • Art and Science of Rest training with Awakening Arts (100hr)

  • Restorative Yoga with Contemporary Yoga NZ (70hr)

  • Biomechanics and, Creative and Meaningful Sequencing Advanced Teacher Trainings with Inspire Yoga (50hr + 50hr)

  • Yin yoga and yoga nidra (Satyananda) with Jo Phee (65hr)

  • First Aid certified

Steph teaches a restorative yoga class. She is kneeling on the floor beside a student who rests in a restorative yoga posture. The woman's eyes are closed and she's cover by a blanket.
Yoga teacher Steph Leighton laying on the floor in a reclined twist, supported by blankets and a bolster. There are candles and plants in the corner behind her.

CLIENT LOVE

“Steph’s approach is very gentle and intuitive, you feel so held, nurtured and taken care of, it’s like a cocoon of care.

I recommend attending in person or online. My experience has been over zoom and I believe it was just as nourishing and restorative.

Thank you Steph for helping me come home to myself, the stillness that is always available to me.”

-Brooke

A few things you should know about me…

Steph dancing at her pole studio, doing a handstand with split legs

I’m an amateur pole dancer

I loved dancing as a kid and have fallen in love with it again as an adult, with the added fun of aerial arts that pole brings. It is a chance for me to play with what I am physically capable of and is a great space for expression and storytelling. Shout out to the strippers for paving the way in this incredible art form.

Steph hiking in the Gillespie Pass, surrounded by nature.

I am a keen hiker

I find a deep sense of peace and awe out on the trail. I even spent a summer as a hut warden for DOC. This photo was taken on our way up Gillespie Pass, one of the harder days I have walked.

A beautiful bouquet of flowers, with a pink sunset sky in the background

My beautiful Mum passed away

My beautiful Mum passed away a couple of years ago after living with cancer for over 7 years. She was an incredible mother and I miss her deeply. Navigating her care and loss has shaped me into the woman I am today.

Steph stands on a beautiful white domed rooftop in Nicaragua, under a partly cloudy sky. She is wearing a black top and a long red skirt.

I love to travel

I am incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to other countries on this beautiful earth. I tend to be drawn to places with unique landscapes and delicious food. The last country I went to was Costa Rica and next on the list is Greece.

Steph in her graduation cap and gown, holding her masters in engineering and a bouquet of flowers

I am an engineer

I worked in the energy industry for six years before changing things up and completing a Masters in Bioengineering in 2021. I loved combining engineering concepts with human physiology and medicine.

WORK WITH ME

Weekly Classes

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Private Sessions

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Online Classes

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