A koha entry yoga event with 19 classes to choose from will return to Wānaka for the fifth year later this month.

International Day of Yoga (IDY) founder Keity said she started the event because she wanted to create an opportunity to bring the Wānaka yoga community, both teachers and students, together.

The event has increased in popularity year-on-year with more than 100 people taking part in classes last year and, only a week into registrations opening, 40 have already booked for this year’s IDY.

During the two-day event (June 21 and 22) participants will be able to participate in classes in a wide range of yoga practices, from Ashtanga Vinyasa to Iyengar Yoga and Yin Yoga.

All classes are open to everyone from yoga first-timers to the advanced.

Keity said she was particularly excited to offer classes Kundalini Yoga and Natha Yoga this year.

“They will provide a good experience for people here in Wānaka to try something new in a style we have never had here,” she said. 

“Every year I try to bring something new.”

Keity is the owner of Soul Yoga and she been practising yoga for 20 years.

She says it is about much more than poses on the mat: yoga supports health and wellness and promotes self discovery.

For this year’s IDY Keity has brought together yoga teachers from Wānaka and other parts of the South Island, some returning and “some new faces”.

She and all other yoga teachers are participating as volunteers - money raised from the koha entry will be donated to Community Networks/LINK and the Wānaka Community Hub. 

Participants still need to register online to attend.

IDY will take place on June 21 and 22 at the Wānaka Community Hub. Learn more about IDY and all the classes available here.

PHOTO: Supplied