Āio: a Puoro Māori Sound Journey

“Āio” speaks to peace and inner calm. In this immersive evening, pūrākau, taonga pūoro and waiata are woven together with the healing vibrations of crystal singing bowls to create a space of deep listening and restoration.

The organic tones of traditional Māori instruments — including kōauau, pūtōrino, porotiti and pūtātara — blend with the resonance of crystal bowls, chimes and ukulele, inviting you to slow down, soften, and reconnect with your wairua and your body. Through story, sound and vibration, this is a gentle journey inward.

After the sound journey, share in a nourishing plant-based dinner and dessert, included in your ticket — a warm way to close the evening together.

What to bring:

Yoga mats, blankets and cushions will be provided but you are welcome to bring extra for comfort!

Meet your hosts & musicians: Smita, Peter, and Alexandra
Smita (Ngāi Te Rangi) was born and raised in Aotearoa. From a young age she was drawn to music as a means for reflection and self-expression. During her music studies at university, she was introduced to taonga pūoro, and this sparked a personal journey of reconnection to te ao Māori and her own whakapapa. Following university, she lived in an ashram for several years where she was introduced to the wonderful practice of bhakti yoga. She now lives with her husband in the Wellington region, where they regularly participate in kirtan (mantra music meditation) at Bhakti Lounge.

Peter is Pākehā, with grandparents from England and Ireland, and has been on a four-year journey learning the art of taonga pūoro — the traditional Māori musical instruments of Aotearoa. Guided by the wisdom and generosity of expert makers and players, he has learned both to craft and to play these unique instruments. For Peter, taonga pūoro offer a way to connect deeply with sound, story, and the natural world, and he is excited to share their voices as part of this sound bath experience.

Alexandra is a sound healing practitioner devoted to nurturing healing in both mind and body. She believes that sound vibration holds the power to expand consciousness and restore harmony and balance in our lives. Her journey into sound healing began with the realization of how deeply sound vibration was affecting her psyche—making her more mindful of the music she listens to and the intention it carries. Along the way, she has drawn inspiration from artists such as Deva Premal, The Flying Mystics, Stevin McNamara, and the Bhakti Lounge Kirtan. Their music has profoundly influenced her own sound healing practice, inspiring her to explore sound as a tool for transformation, connection, and inner peace.

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Host or Publisher Bhakti Lounge Wellington