SUPPORTING STAFF HEALTH AND WELLNESS AT CANYONING NEW ZEALAND
At Canyoning New Zealand, looking after our team is just as important as delivering unforgettable canyoning adventures. Guiding in dynamic outdoor environments requires focus, resilience, and physical strength, which is why staff health and wellbeing is something we prioritise throughout the season. One of the initiatives we ran this year brought the team together for a special wellness session designed to help everyone slow down, recharge, and create space for meaningful conversations about mental health.
Turning Our Base Into a Space to Recharge
To make the experience truly special, we transformed our base into a calm relaxation space filled with blankets and pillows, inviting our guides and their partners to settle in and unwind after a busy working day. Staff were paid to attend, reinforcing the message that taking care of your body and mind is an essential part of being a professional guide, not something that has to happen outside of work hours.
We welcomed local wellness practitioner Alex from Shine Naturally to deliver a beautiful sound healing session — something that has become a favourite annual treat for our team.
The Power of Sound Healing
Sound healing is widely recognised for its ability to rapidly induce deep relaxation, helping reduce stress and anxiety without requiring active effort from participants. Using instruments such as Tibetan singing bowls and gongs, sound vibrations help shift brainwaves into a calm, meditative state that supports physical relaxation, emotional balance, and improved sleep.
Tibetan Singing Bowls have been used for centuries in meditation and healing practices. The sounds they produce are often described as a form of energy medicine, helping to ease stress, relieve tension, and support overall wellbeing.
For many of our team, it was their first experience with sound healing, and it was inspiring to see everyone arrive with open minds and leave feeling noticeably calmer.
Why Wellbeing Matters in High-Risk Guiding
Maintaining strong mental and physical health is essential in a high-risk guiding environment. Guides are constantly navigating environmental hazards, managing group dynamics, and making critical decisions in changing conditions. Fatigue, stress, or mental strain can impact judgement and performance, which is why nurturing both mind and body is a priority.
Creating opportunities like this session helps open the conversation about mental health within our team, reminding everyone that taking time to recover, reflect, and reset is a key part of staying sharp and safe in the outdoors.
What the Team Had to Say
The response from the team was incredibly positive, and it was clear the session had a meaningful impact.
“What a great way to end a busy working day. I am so relaxed. I’ve never done that before and it was really cool.”
“Thank you so much for doing that for us. It was really nice to unwind like that. I think it’s so lovely that you put that on for our whole team.”
A Culture of Care
Feeling supported in the workplace, being appreciated, and having space to nurture wellbeing are things we hold as a priority at Canyoning New Zealand. Our guides give so much energy to creating incredible experiences for our guests, and providing opportunities like this is one way we can give back to the team.
We’re incredibly grateful to Alex from Shine Naturally for delivering such a memorable session, and we already can’t wait to welcome her back for another one soon. When our team feels strong, balanced, and connected, everyone benefits — from our guides to our guests, and the adventures we share together.
