Anja Foley
Anja, the owner and founder of the Ayurveda Wellness Centre, is an experienced Ayurveda Consultant having spent the last 13 years in private practice as well as 14 years of teaching Yoga during regular weekly classes and annual retreats.
Anja was first introduced to Ayurveda in 2004 by Dr Liladhar Gupta, an inspiring Ayurvedic doctor from Vrindavan, India. In 2006 Anja studied with Dr Ajit at the Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies. She then went overseas in 2015 to study for a Masters of Science in Ayurvedic Medicine through the Middlesex University of London and the European Academy of Ayurveda in Germany.
She practices what she teaches in her daily life especially when taking care of her two gorgeous sons, and enjoys empowering people to self-heal and to grow. Anja uses her skills working with ancient clinical diagnostic tools as well as with deep intuition. Anja has a special interest in uncovering the root cause of any imbalance, may it be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.
When Anja is not teaching yoga or working in her clinic, she enjoys the great outdoors: mountain biking and skiing are her favourite past times as well as spending time at the beach and in the bush, chanting, meditating and deep diving with her loved ones.
Originally from Germany, Anja settled in New Zealand 22 years ago. Anja loves travelling and during several journeys to India, Nepal, South East Asia, the Pacific, Europe, the U.S. and Central America, Anja discovered her passion for ancient healing modalities. She is looking forward to welcoming you at her place of healing.
Education and Qualifications:
Nov 2021 Healing the Human Hologram, Chakra and Bio-energy field healing course with the Neo-Shamanic Society, New Zealand
June 2021 Yoga Therapy module 3, ten day training, taught by Dr Kausthub Desikachar and Ruth Diggins, held in Raumati, New Zealand
Jan 2021 Yoga Therapy module 2, ten day training, taught by Dr Kausthub Desikachar and Ruth Diggins, held in Raumati, New Zealand
Jan 2020 Yoga Therapy module 1, ten day training, taught by Dr Kausthub Desikachar from KHYF Chennai India, held in Raumati, New Zealand
Jun 2018 & Sept 2019 Introduction to Yoga Therapy, two weekend seminars presented by Dr Kausthub Desikachar from KHYF Chennai India, held in Raumati, New Zealand
Feb 2016 ‘Ayurvedic nutrition and food related illnesses’ a 2 week block course at Tilak Ayurveda College in Pune, India
Dec 2015 three week work placement at J.S. Patel Ayurveda hospital in Nadiad, India
Jun – July 2015 three week work placement at an Ayurvedic Retreat Centre, Rosenberg Ayurveda Gesundheits- und Kurzentrum, Birstein, Germany
Apr 2015 – present Masters of Science in Ayurvedic Medicine through the Middlesex University of London and the European Academy of Ayurveda in Birstein, Germany, Master thesis with a focus on Ayurveda and Mental Health
May -Jun 2014 a five week yoga immersion in Vinyasa Yoga troughout Bali and Lombok
Mar 2010- Mar 2015 fortnightly attendance at nutrition and cooking classes, in depth study of all the whole grains, cheese making, herbs, oils and fats, beans and legumes, vitamins and much more, taught by Debbie Ter Borg and inspired by Rudolf Steiner and Rudolf Hauschka, Te Ra Waldorf School, Raumati South, New Zealand
Dec 2011 The Apex of Yoga, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Chapter 3 workshop, presented by Kausthub Desikachar from KHYF Chennai India, held in Wellington, New Zealand
Sept 2011 Rongoa Maori, Traditional Maori Medicine, foundational knowledge of Rongoa Maori through understanding origins and types of Rongoa Maori, the purpose and role of Rongoa in Te Ao Maori; cultural practices, traditional and contemporary Rongoa practices; identification, classification and properties of flora used in Rongoa Maori and associated safety practices
May 2010 3 week intensive study course of herbs, herbal manufacturing and herbal remedies, ACE, Amanda Reid, Paraparaumu, New Zealand
Oct 2009 The Apex of Yoga, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Chapter 2 workshop, presented by Kausthub Desikachar from KHYF Chennai India, held in Wellington, New Zealand
Apr 2009 Attended the 2nd International Yoga and Ayurveda Conference, Sydney, Australia, organised by Ayurveda Yoga Australia
Jan 2008 Four week Study Trip to India, Ayurveda Immersion with Dr Liladhar Gupta, Dhanvantari Dham Clinic, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India
Feb 2008 – Nov 2010 Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, Yoga In Daily Life, Wellington, New Zealand
Mar 2008 Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, Yoga In Daily Life, Wellington, New Zealand
Oct 2007 The Apex of Yoga, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Chapter 1 workshop, presented by Kausthub Desikachar from KHYF Chennai India, held in Wellington, New Zealand
Oct 2007 Kids Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, Yoga In Daily Life, Wellington, New Zealand
Apr 2006 – Oct 2022 Annual attendance at Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Sri Swami Maheshwarananda’s yoga seminars, talks and retreats in New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, India and Czech Republic
Feb 2006 – Aug 2010 Diploma Course as Clinical Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies Studies, Auckland, New Zealand
May 2004 Advanced Practitioner Level 2, Traditional Thai Yoga Massage, Sunshine Network Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand
Mar 2004 – Oct 2016 Annual attendance at Dr Liliadhar Gupta’s Ayurveda seminars, talks and retreats, 4th generation Ayurvedic Doctor from Vrindavan, India, programmes held in Wellington and Kapiti, New Zealand
June 2003 Practitioner Level 1, Traditional Thai Yoga Massage, Sunshine Network Institute, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Sept 1998 – Apr 2003 University of Applied Sciences, Stralsund, Germany, Bachelor of Business Studies with first class Honours, Major: Marketing and Tourism