632 Breaths as One: Dunedin’s Record-Breaking Yoga Moment
Kia ora koutou,
What a moment that was.
On a crisp Dunedin morning — the kind where the air is fresh with promise and your breath feels like a soft cloud — more than 600 beautiful humans gathered under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium. Yoga mats were unrolled like welcoming carpets. Shoes were tucked off to the side. And with a collective breath, we began.
This wasn’t just any yoga class. It was a moment of unity — and one that made history.
Dunedin officially broke the New Zealand record for the largest yoga class, with 632 of us moving, breathing, and being present together. Side by side. Mat by mat. We more than doubled Auckland’s previous record of 300. That’s not just a number — that’s a symbol of what happens when a community shows up for connection, for calm, for something bigger than themselves.
The event was a part of Wild Dunedin – New Zealand Festival of Nature, a celebration of everything that grounds us — whenua, whānau, and the wild, beautiful world we live in. This year’s theme was "rocks", and it couldn’t have been more perfect. We found our grounding. We became unshakeable. We rooted ourselves in nature and each other.
There was something so magical in the way we embraced movement that day — from tamariki doing their first ever downward dog to seasoned yogis finding new joy in familiar poses. Some of our asanas were inspired by the natural world around us — playful shapes like the downward-facing hoiho and sea lion pose gave a uniquely Ōtepoti twist to our practice. There was laughter, stillness, and an overwhelming sense of being part of something special.
As a yoga teacher and artist, this day filled my heart to the brim. It reminded me of why I share this practice. Yoga is more than a stretch. It’s more than breath. It’s a coming home — to yourself, to your body, to your community. It meets you where you’re at, and carries you where you need to go.
The energy on the day was vibrant — with so much more happening as part of the festival. From blacksmithing and bug displays to the sound of the Dunedin Children’s Choir and a film screening of Moana, it truly felt like a celebration of everything that makes this place special. Whānau, fun, and fierce community spirit.
And now — the ripple effect continues.
If the record-breaking day sparked something in you... a curiosity, a calm, or simply the thought “maybe I could give yoga a try” — we’ve got space for you.
At Jo Woolley Yoga, we offer classes both online and in our warm, welcoming studio here in Dunedin. Whether you’re completely new, returning after some time away, or looking to deepen your practice — we’d love to share a mat with you.
Come as you are. The mat is waiting.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jo Woolley