Pujjis : Welcome to Pujjis

While between them, Jane and Arvind are gifted with the skills to alleviate the jangled physical and/or emotional states of their guests, much of the joy of experiencing their kind attention lies in the intangible. Spontaneous happy times at Pujjis and free-flowing compassion and genuine caring leave you feeling coddled, strengthened and rejuvenated. Here, you are among friends and magic happens. I personally witnessed my colleague be transformed with a body realignment from Arvind. When it was time to reluctantly leave the shores of New Zealand behind, it was with a triumphant feeling as I remembered the poignant words from Jane's poetry that give evidence that many hearts can beat to the same drum. Pujjis is a beautiful place to be and Jane and Arvind are one-of-a-kind healers who intuitively 'take your pulse' and gently guide you to wellness of body, mind and soul.

- Bea Broda Connolly
Toronto, Canada

What struck me as most unique about my experience at Pujjis Wellness Retreat is the awesome quality of individual attention that each person receives. Jane and Arvind offer a loving presence that is very connecting and supportive. Because of their willingness to 'be there' for people, healing seems to happen informally: over meals, in the evenings, in the spa pool. The deep listening and empathy I received helped bring more clarity to my current process of change, and supported me in my next steps. They create an environment that is very nurturing and empowering, and so all-embracing and loving that when I left after only (regretfully) two days, felt absolutely part of the 'family' - I'll be back.

- Jocelyn Fahey
Napier, New Zealand

I came to New Zealand at burnout, overworked and running from my life. I was going to stay for three days but having found just what I needed, I stayed for three weeks. Pujjis was a place to land. Sleeping to the sound of the river and letting my head empty. The river washed it all away. I felt I came back to myself. I understood about myself and why my life was as it was. It was a time of letting go, a time of being still, a time of integration. It had a huge impact in my life up to now, a year later. I learnt from just being with them, not to rush and to be present to every moment. I felt welcomed and cherished like a dearest old friend.

- Chantal de Gaudio
Vienna, Austria

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Who We Are

We are trained and experienced bodywork practitioners and yoga teachers, with years of experience in facilitating private retreats, workshops and trainings in self awareness, yoga, bodywork, massage, fasting and communication skills.

We genuinely appreciate the need for people both individually and as couples to take time to be nurtured and supported, to take the time for reflection, rejuvenation and re-education. Pujjis Wellness retreats is our offering to fulfill such need in us all.

We have been recognised as the first Wellness retreat in New Zealand to be endorsed as a visitor activity by Tourism New Zealand standards authority, as well as receiving 4 star plus for our accommodation. We are dedicated to sustainable tourism and best practice ethics. We are founding members the Nelson-Tasman Sustainable Tourism Charter which is part of a joint venture between Ministrys' of Tourism and for the Environment.

Arvind Pujji

I was born in India in 1953, the tenth child of professional parents. In 1975, at the age of 22, my natural curiosity got the better of me and I set out to see the world. I met and married a New Zealander and emigrated to Nelson, in New Zealand.

Here, I established a string of restaurants that began with Nelson’s first pizza shop, Pujji’s Pizzas. At this time, I also celebrated the birth of my children, now both in their late 20s.

When my marriage fell apart, so did I. Having lost my family, home and business, I returned to India to soak up – and remember – the spiritual traditions that are my heritage.

I devoted four years to yoga and spiritual practice before returning to New Zealand to study Hellerwork, a system that combines balancing the body, re-educating movement patterns and body/mind integration. I started my private practice in 1990, combining yoga therapy with integrative bodywork.

I met Jane in 1992. We began teaching together two years later and in 1997 we were married. Years of self study and working with people has led me to the realisation that it is in our relationships that we experience the most about ourselves and the world around us. Relationship is also where we put anything we may have learnt about ourselves and our life to the test.

I am enjoying this challenge which is also an inspiration in my life.

Jane Pujji

People know me as a down-to-Earth woman who is skilled in the healing arts. I’m also a poet and a very good business manager. I love being a wife (most of the time) and mother of three. Singing with my local world music choir is one of my delights, as is exploring the glorious countryside that is my home.

I was born in 1959 in Auckland, New Zealand. Following years of ill-health and a near-death asthma attack when I was 29, my marriage ended and I began a conscious healing journey that radically changed my life.

In 1992, I began learning yoga from inspirational teacher Arvind Pujji. At this time I also began training in bodywork, massage, Hellerwork and counseling. Arvind and I discovered we were a dynamic and effective team, with complementary talents and skills, and have been teaching together throughout New Zealand and overseas since 1994. We married in 1997, the same year we purchased our current home and the foundations of Pujjis Wellness retreat was established.

I have been in private practice, offering bodywork and yoga therapy, for the past 13 years, and have been teaching with Arvind for the past twelve years.