MYOGA is housed in Powa Centre at 1 Marion St, Wellington, a multi-use space dedicated to empowerment in many forms & styles. Currently Powa Centre also houses 5 Rhythms Dance, Harmony Singing & free Buddhist Meditation. With plenty of natural light and wood floors, the space is warm and inviting while remaining minimal in décor. There is one toilet, an infrared sauna and a shower as well as changing and storage areas. A small kitchen supplies tea and goodies, when necessary. Powa Centre has an on-going library project & a Take-It or Leave-It Box for clothing & item exchange--contributions are always welcome for both!
Powa is an Algonquin (First Nation) word that means many things, depending on the context. It is perhaps similar to the Maori word Mana. It indicates an energy, power & connection to spirit that is all-encompassing. It is the root of powwow, where people come together to gather & cultivate a profound connection to all-that-is. Powa relates to healing & the integrative growth of humans, other animals & the planet as a whole.
In other contexts, Powa, as it is pronounced, also refers to the Paua of Aotearoa which represents the luminescent rainbow beauty inside an unassuming exterior. In Tibetan Buddhism, Powa (also spelled Phowa & Poa) refers to the practice of conscious dying. Rather than take this as a morbidity, befriending death can be seen as the greatest means to living fully. And in a modern graphic sense, Powa relates to “Powa to the People” & the power to manifest dynamically & individually.
So Powa Centre is intended as a home, a source, for transformation. Empowerment/evolvement & communion/community are the interwoven aims of Powa Centre--one individual at a time removing the blocks that stand in the way of unfoldment, moving into strength, integrity & grace. In the past, individuals have achieved their power at the expense of others. Powa Centre aims to create a new space where the Powa of all is not lost to the one, but the One is supported by & supports the power of all.
A grander vision of the future Powa Centre can be seen in this illustration.