Our People

Vincent Bolletta

Founder of Hañsa, Vincent has been teaching and practicing yoga since 1990 becoming one of New Zealand’s foremost yoga instructors and teacher trainer with a wealth of knowledge in biomechanics, yoga therapy, movement therapy, and postural analysis.

The Hañsa International Therapy & Flow Systems & Hañsa Wellness online platform is a unique style that integrates Eastern and Western thought and methodologies to the practice of yoga and wellbeing. Hañsa Yoga has developed an 800 hour yoga therapy professional training programme that supports a process of healing and awakening through principles of fundamental human movement patterns and embodiment. This is used as the basis to gain greater insight into individual function as well as understanding one’s physical, mental and energetic needs.

Jac Wilson

Currently managing nu yoga studio in Dunedin, Jac aspires to make yoga more accessible to more people, especially those who find yoga intimidating. Her many years of experience, teaching a broad spectrum of bodies and minds, has helped to perfect her teaching. Jac works with people of all abilities and experience, and guides them through the process of learning a Hansa flow sequence. Over the course of a week, she will help to ensure you can bring back the joy and knowledge of this retreat home.  

These classes are built with a layered approach, starting from foundational principles and steadily building to a stronger practice, with options for all levels provided along the way. Gently bringing the body into each level of movement, allowing you to practice with ease, both physically and mentally.  

Jac takes a biomechanical approach to yoga, focusing on the body with great detail, building up the strength necessary to achieve easy movement. Everything is geared towards optimising the balance between power and mobility, allowing you to flow through the practice. Complementing this teaching style, is the finishing touch of Hansa Rest. This involves letting your body relax, and rest, allowing your practice, breath, and nervous system to settle, recharge, and reset.

Louise Paiti

Louise Paiti is a body-mind practitioner with over 25 years of experience in the fields of Musculo-skeletal Physiotherapy, Yoga, Breathwork and Polynesian Bodywork. 

Currently a Counselling student, Louise is interested in the interplay of ancient wisdom and modern science. She is passionate about sharing stress relief tools, which help us navigate the complexities of modern life and live well. Using these techniques, Louise creates a liminal space for you to settle into. Allowing you to show up as you are, and through the guidance of breath, be present in the moment. The effect of these practices are strengthened through communal connection, working with others to settle our bodies and minds. Most importantly, these practices empower us to become our own healers, nurturers, and cultivators.
 

Kirsty Van der Geer

Kirsty's passion for movement stems from an early involvement in dance and gymnastics throughout her childhood and early twenties. Her creative nature then led into 20 years of work in film and television.

Long, intense days and the arrival of two children led to her developing a number of autoimmune conditions. Finding refuge in yoga, she began to look at life through a different lens. After 12 plus years of dedicated yoga, and experiencing its healing benefits first hand, Kirsty made the decision to dedicate the next stage of her life to sharing her love of yoga with others. “Yoga has enabled me to grow stronger mentally, emotionally and physically and become more flexible on and off the mat", says Kirsty. "Every day yoga teaches me the importance of showing up for myself in the most loving way possible - inspiring me to live my life more truthfully and each moment more mindfully.”

With more than 500 hours training in yin and vinyasa, Kirsty is a compassionate teacher, who crafts thoughtful sequencing with a focus on optimal alignment for every body. Her passion for movement and yoga philosophy will encourage tropical island yogis to deepen their understanding of both their bodies and themselves.

Taane Mete

An accomplished professional dancer, Taane found yoga in the early 90s -  enhancing and supporting his dancing career as a means of maintaining body and mind connection on and off the road.

In 2015 Taane did his first yoga training with Power Living, Wellington and began teaching at eastwest in Ponsonby in 2016. Yoga has brought Taane closer to himself and those around him.

He values the calming effects that yoga provides, and the associated healing benefits and improvement of injuries in dance, while improving overall confidence and strength - physically and mentally.

Sandy Fischer

Sandy has lived all over the world, with husband Mike and their three children. She taught where she could, mostly music in primary and secondary schools in mining towns, and practiced a wide range of yoga styles.

Sandy has a Vini yoga background, taught by Gary Kraftsow. Her style is mainly slow smooth breath and movement, as she’s more interested in what it does to and for the nervous system, rather than fitness.

Sandy says, “I’m an extrovert and I get my energy and wellbeing from other people.

“Wherever I’ve moved, what gives me energy is people coming together around an activity like a hike, or community singing, or doing a yoga class together. I really love that sense of higher understanding that’s not about language – something going on between human beings. They’re participating in a group experience that doesn’t revolve around conversation, the yumminess of being humans together.”

“When you’re doing these communal things, (when you’re rolling around on a yoga mat with your legs in the air!) you just can’t pretend to be someone else. Everyone is just being authentic and true to themselves.”

Amy Morice

Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist and Mama

As a massage therapist since 2006, the body has always been an interest of mine. When discovering the benefits of adding in an awareness of movement to this work I became a keen practitioner of Yoga. Having spent the last 12 years actively involved in the wellness industry it has been a privilege to work alongside an array of specialists from a variety of different fields.

In 2012 I embarked on a one-year diploma of Yoga with Mark O’Brien from ‘Qi Yoga’ Sydney. At this time, I was also introduced to the work of Donna Farhi, and after many 5-day intensives in 2015 I spent 25 days completing her Advanced Yoga Teacher Training. This was an extremely potent experience that was to refine the way I taught and practiced

In 2013 I trained with ‘Art of Motion’ as a contemporary Pilates Teacher and shortly after spent time with Mysan Sidbo of ‘Mysan Yoga’ where I studied Yin Yoga.

In 2017 I met Vincent Bolletta founder of ‘Hansa Yoga’ which became a pivotal moment in my relationship with Yoga and my work. Having since spent time with him studying Flow and Yoga therapy.

In 2018 I opened one of New Plymouth’s leading Yoga and Natural Therapies clinics called ‘Tahi’.

2019 has offered further collaborations and as an extension of my work in Yoga Therapy I now run yoga teacher trainings and Intensives with Hañsa Yoga 

For me this work is about guiding people to find a greater relationship and understanding of their own unique bodies in how to move and inspire the whole person to experience health and healing. Life is full of vibrancy and this practice teaches me daily how to express that.

My qualifications: Cert. Myofascial Massage & Functional Integration; Dip. Advanced Yoga & Yoga

Therapy (1000+ hours); Qualified Pre-& Post Natal Yoga Teacher; Qualified Contemporary Pilates Teacher