New Balance invites health and fitness enthusiasts in Auckland to nurture their mental and physical health with the New Balance Wellness Weekend — a four-day fitness and well-being pop-up that’s open to everyone. It is a unique opportunity for customers to immerse themselves in a full athleisure experience through moments of mindfulness, movement, food, and friends.
This pop-up will transcend a typical exercise event, with New Balance providing opportunities to learn about wellness beyond the physical. Renowned leaders in fitness and wellbeing have gathered from across Aotearoa to offer a range of unique classes and workshops in varying intensities throughout the weekend, all completely free of charge.
In addition to a packed timetable of fitness classes and workshops led by Auckland’s most beloved trainers, the New Balance Wellness Weekend will also provide access to free breathwork sessions, nutrition workshops, goal-setting classes, styling tips and tricks and guided meditation.
Something for Everyone
The New Balance Wellness Weekend aims to provide everyone with the opportunity to try new experiences without signing up to a membership or spending any money.
“We want people to know that New Balance is more than just the miles or step count. We recognise that health and wellbeing means different things to different people. It’s important to find balance and we want everyone to find their fit,” says Marketing Manager, Sophie-Anne Héroux.
This echoes the ethos of New Balance’s latest athleisure collection, intended to be the bridge between athletic and lifestyle apparel. The collection will be available to browse on location throughout the weekend.
Hosted at the Common Space Studio in Grey Lynn and off-site locations across Tāmaki Makaurau, the Wellness Weekend kicks off on Thursday, November 24 with a packed schedule through Sunday, November 27. Each class has limited numbers – secure spots now through Eventbrite. The sessions are free of charge courtesy of New Balance.
Meet the New Balance Wellness Weekend Instructors
NB30 with Micah Stininato
Micah accidentally fell into the fitness industry nearly five years ago and has never looked back. She started out running track through school and playing sports and then progressed to an instructor, teaching everything from Les Mills GRIT and Ludus, to Crossfit and Yoga and many more. You can now find Micah managing Studio Box Newmarket where she runs full immersive, high-intensity and addictive Boxing & Strength conditioning workouts.
Yoga with Nikki Ralston
Nikki Ralston is a natural teacher and a teacher of teachers. She has been working with the human body for over 25 years through yoga and hands-on body work, she has been at the forefront of popularising yoga in New Zealand. Creator of The Ralston Method her teaching combines evidence-based mind, and body practices with ancient wisdom, making the practice functional, relevant and fun. Nikki’s passion and drive are instantly infectious, empowering you to nurture your body, soul and mind.
Barre & Guided Meditation with Maria Munkowits
Maria originally trained as a professional dancer and has since cultivated a depth of teaching experience in a wide range of physical and wellness modalities, including Yoga, Barre and Pilates. She has always been a passionate advocate of movement and mindfulness both on and off the mat, expanding her repertoire over the past 10 years. Maria will support you to move your body with strength, grace and ease in a nurturing environment, integrating breath and alignment to enhance your experience.
Shadowboxing with Moni Meredith
Moni is an Auckland-based mother, personal trainer and actress. She has appeared in local television shows Go Girls, Nothing Trivial & in 2019, on the long-running local soap Shortland Street. Moni is a personal trainer with over 15-years experience in the industry, specialising in boxing. She is the founder of a successful online training and wellness community called SHADOWCAMP and has helped hundreds of women transform themselves physically and mentally. Moni has a special interest in mental health and healing.
Stretch with SALA (Ellie and Abby)
Ellie is a yoga teacher and breathwork facilitator. With experience in vinyasa, yin and hot yoga, she is passionate about sharing movement from the perspective of holistic wellbeing. The mission is to empower people to regain control of themselves through breath, movement and routine and welcome in a new balance to mind and body.
Abby is a Yoga and HIIT Pilates instructor at some of Auckland’s leading studios. Abby has been sharing her passion as an instructor for 5 years and facilitates wellness retreats across New Zealand. Movement is a form of connection for Abby and she strives to connect people with their physical and mental bodies through movement.
Fitness All Together (FAT)
Kevin Pichot is the owner of FAT and has over 10 years of experience as a group fitness instructor in which his roles as a leader and a motivator are extensive. His infectious energy and his distinct accent also doesn’t go unnoticed. With his French heritage, Kevin lives up to the “Go hard but stay fun” mentality and prides himself on high-energy workouts that constantly challenge the entire body.
Breathwork with Sarah Lamb
Sarah is an experienced Breathwork Guide and Alchemy of Breath Facilitator offering Breathwork at wellness studios and privately in Auckland. With a degree in Physical Education and Physiology and a life-long passion for holistic wellbeing, discovering the powerful practice of Breathwork and now guiding others has been a natural progression. She is a self confessed science geek and loves to share the magical mix of ancient art and modern science in her sessions.
Nutrition class with Zoe Hobbs & Frances Smith
Zoe is a professional 100m NZ sprinter, associate registered nutritionist and co-founder of Athos Nutrition, and will be joined by Frances Smith – associate registered nutritionist and menstrual health advocate, Athos Nutrition.
Goal setting class with Celine Wallace
Celine Wallace is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Therapist, Counsellor, and the founder of Sattva Soul, an Ayurvedic supplement and women’s retreat company. She believes that mental health and wellness are about having a series of tools to balance your mindset with the world’s noise. It’s like going to the gym. If you don’t make the time in your day to show up, you won’t get the desired results. The mind works in a similar way.
Hair styling masterclass with Michael Mendel
Michael Mendel is a hairstylist and senior educator for ghd New Zealand. His portfolio includes working at several international fashion weeks, photo shoots, and TV Shows. As a stylist, he loves creating beautiful and effortless-looking hair.
Dance class with Shyvon Campbell
Shyvon is a professional dancer, trained in hip hop and commercial styles. She has danced alongside Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Halsey, Black Eyed Peas, Demi Lovato and featured in one of the most viewed music videos, “Sorry – Justin Bieber’. Shyvon has performed on US’ biggest stage for the Superbowl and most recently was a part of Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show for the 5th season.
Sprint with Symone Tafuna’i & Livvy Wilson
Symmy is a digital sports report at 1NEWS and Livvy is a senior sports physiotherapist. Both girls are also NZ 100m sprinters and training partners in the NZ Women’s 4x100m relay team.
Makeup masterclass with Kimberly Hill
Kimberly is a freelance makeup artist with 15 years of experience specialising in the beauty, fashion, bridal and commercial industries. Throughout her career, she has worked backstage at numerous NZ fashion week shows, NZ music awards, editorial photo shoots and as a makeup tutor spanning 8 years at Auckland’s The Makeup School.
Tone with Yayoi Matches
Yayoi has worked in the professional dance world since the age of 17, performing with international ballet companies around the world. She is currently teaching pilates and is involved in the creative process of choreography and performance within the fitness industry. Yayoi loves to share her wealth of knowledge about movement, and give people the freedom and confidence to express however they feel best. Her classes are fun, challenging, high energy, and will leave you feeling strong, grounded and nourished.
This article was produced in association with New Balance.
