From our path to yours

Eight years ago, Atmabhava and I arrived in Golden Bay, New Zealand, driven by a shared longing to slow down, renew, and live more simply. We'd both chased purpose through intense adventures, studies, and a quest for knowledge, only to learn—through our bodies' loud wake-up calls—that true balance comes from turning inward, honouring both light and shadow, and integrating life's paradoxes.

Once that inner work begins, the outer world naturally shifts.

It becomes a living expression of the clarity, presence, and wholeness we cultivate within.

Creating Balance was born from that realisation: a space to support you in nurturing holistic wellbeing through deep connection with nature, with self, and with others.

This vision grew from the paths Atmabhava and I had each walked long before we met.

Atmabhava's journey started in New Zealand's untamed landscapes: climbing frozen peaks, mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoning, then guiding white-water rafting tours overseas—always pursuing the thrill of challenge and the freedom of the outdoors.

Until a sudden illness forced a full stop.

In that stillness, he had no choice but to embrace the discomfort, gradually rediscovering health and strength, his bond with nature, and ways of living consciously.

He delved deeply into sannyasa, yoga, meditation, selfless service, and integrative health during his long recovery.

This marked a very different kind of adventure.

Climbing the mountains of his own inner territory.

Through his journey, he uncovered how dedicated practice and mindful choices weave wholeness and health from fragmentation.

This inner transformation later inspired him to work with diverse communities, where he facilitated yoga and meditation classes for inmates at Rimutaka Prison and in forensic mental health facilities during his Wellington years—spaces where he witnessed the power of practice and compassion to meet people where they are.

My trajectory paralleled his.

I had travelled and studied globally for thirty years before immersing myself in rigorous yogic and sannyasa training in India for a significant period of time—enduring scorching summers and monsoons while helping run a renowned international yoga ashram that welcomed thousands of visitors each year, hosted large events, and supported local communities.

I dove wholeheartedly because I believed in it profoundly.

I was seeking structural change within myself—my limiting patterns and core beliefs—and ways to contribute towards structural change in society.

Yet the ashram’s intense demands revealed stark paradoxes: a yogic world preaching peace and wellbeing that, for full-time residents like me, often felt relentlessly pressured and unsustainable, day by day, year after year.

My body rebelled.

Adrenal burnout and nutrient depletion left me shattered, a humbling reminder I'd pushed too far in my quest for meaning.

I too had to stop.

And give my body the space it needed to heal and restore.

Those years weren't misguided; they were eye-openers that awakened my heart, body, and mind to the raw realities of life. They were an essential training ground for the road ahead.

Our separate paths—each marked by challenge, stillness, and rediscovery—eventually converged in New Zealand.

When Atma and I met again, our shared vision and experiences led us to Parapara, Golden Bay—a paradise of mountains, forests, creeks, and expansive coastlines.

Here, we found our home.

An off-grid permaculture property which we turned into a private Nature Retreat.

We live simply and as sustainably as we can, digging our hands in the earth, growing organic veggies and fruit, working towards native bush regeneration—and inviting others to press pause, reconnect with nature, and cultivate wellness from the inside out.

The paradoxes of our journeys now guide the way we support others.

Honouring the personal stories, challenges, and idiosyncrasies that shape our shared humanity, while contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.

We discovered that slowing down isn't weakness.

It's the key to living fully—in consideration of self, others, nature, and all.

Completing one chapter of deep growth, both on the land and within ourselves, while opening up to new beginnings, fills us with profound gratitude and humility.

We made it here thanks to everyone who listened, offered guidance, or lent a helping hand along the way.

We celebrate the path behind us—and the one still unfolding.

Thank you for being here.

Take a breath.

Ease your rhythm.

And see where that takes you.

—Priyadhara