Have you ever noticed how the smallest moments of your day can either leave you feeling grounded or completely untethered? That gentle pause before you start your mahi, the breath you take before stepping into a challenging conversation, or even the way you greet the day as you open your eyes—these moments matter deeply to your sense of self, your mauri.

Mauri can be described as the essence of who you are, the life force that carries you through each day. When we lose connection with our mauri it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, disjointed, or like we’re just going through the motions. This is where the practice of mauritau comes in—a purposeful way to reconnect, nurture, and realign with your true self.

Just this week, I had one of those moments where I could truly feel the power of this practice. I was dropping my daughter off at Kohanga Reo, a 30- to 40-minute drive from our home, when I realized I had packed the empty lunchbox from the day before instead of her lunch for that day. Not an ideal situation, when I had a busy day, she is type 1 diabetic and it was 20 minutes to morning tea.

In the past, a situation like this would have completely spiraled me—leaving me flustered, overwhelmed, and probably blaming others - quite literally would have gotten mad at my partner. As it is his job to empty the lunchbox from the bag the day before. So this kind of situation would have ruined my whole day.

But instead, I was able to approach it with calmness. I didn’t panic or stress about going back home. Instead, I simply went to the supermarket, bought what I needed, and remade her lunch in the car. What could have been a chaotic and stressful morning became a manageable hiccup, one I could handle with clarity and ease.

This shift didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of intentionally practicing mauritau and staying in tune with my mauri. It’s a reminder of how small, intentional steps toward connection can transform the way we navigate challenges.

Mauritau is a state of inner calm, balance, and groundedness. It’s about being fully present, not just with your thoughts but with your whole being—your tinana, kare-a-roto, wairua and your surroundings. Unlike other forms of mindfulness that might focus solely on breath or thought awareness, mauritau recognizes that everyone’s pathway to calm is different and deeply connected to their own whakapapa and identity.

For some, mauritau might come through karakia or quiet reflection. For others, it might come through movement—walking in nature, kapa haka, or mahi with their hands. What’s key is that mauritau is not about erasing stress or avoiding challenges. Instead, it’s about responding to those challenges in a way that honors your unique self.

When I think back to the Kohanga Reo lunchbox situation, I realize that my calmness didn’t come from ignoring the mistake or pretending it wasn’t stressful.

It came from staying present, noticing how I was feeling, and choosing a path forward that aligned with the values I want to live by—kindness, resourcefulness, and manaaki for both myself and my daughter.

If I did not have a relationship with my mauri, and was not constantly doing mauri check in’s, then I would not have been able to respond with pace or ease.

The Benefits of Practicing Mauritau

• Greater clarity - when you’re connected to your mauri, it’s easier to think clearly and make decisions, even under pressure.

• Improved relationships - staying calm and present helps you respond to others with empathy and understanding, rather than reacting from a place of stress.

• Emotional resilience - challenges still arise, but they don’t knock you down in the same way. You become better at navigating life’s ups and downs.

• A sense of purpose - when you take time to care for your modi, you start to feel more aligned with who you truly are and what matters most to you.

Introducing the Mauritau Course

Over the years, I’ve seen how transformative the practice of mauritau can be. Whether it’s learning to navigate the challenges of everyday life with more clarity and calm or deepening your connection with yourself and your whānau, the impact of this practice is undeniable. That’s why I created the Mauritau Course—to make this life-changing practice accessible to everyone.

The Mauritau Course is an introduction to understanding mauri—your essence, your life force—and the practice of mauritau. Through the course, you’ll learn:

• What mauri is and why it’s so important to nurture it.

• How to begin checking in with yourself, your surroundings, and others.

• Practical steps to integrate mauritau into your daily life.

It’s designed to help you take what resonates, adapt it to your needs, and use the practice in ways that benefit you and your whānau.

Whether you’re looking to find balance for yourself or create a calmer, more connected family environment, this course gives you the tools to make it happen.

The course is based on what I teach in therapy sessions, but I’ve broken it down into five hours of videos, a workbook, and self-reflection activities. This format allows you to engage with the material at your own pace, diving deeper into the parts that matter most to you.

Mauritau isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a practice—one you can shape to meet your needs and use to navigate life with greater confidence and purpose. I created this course to help others experience the same benefits I’ve seen in my own life and the lives of those I work with.

If you’ve been curious about mauritau or are ready to start your journey, this course is a great place to begin. Or if you have any questions about the course just reach out.