Category: News

Join the incredible Adam Divine and Viriam Kaur for ‘From Chaos to Calm – Stress, Yoga and the Vagus Nerve’ a workshop that will focus on learning to deal with stress and our typical stress responses through yoga, meditation and simple vagus nerve toning techniques.

Location: Penrose Wharf Studio
Date:Saturday 27th July
Time:12.30pm-18.30pm

We will look at the evolution of the autonomic nervous system and the impact that working with our vagus nerve can have signalling safety to our ANS. Not only does our body sculpt itself around its most common physical activities, it also sculpts itself around our most habitual emotions and stress responses.

We get caught in certain patterns and this effects our posture and how we hold ourselves as well as our mood and how we see ourselves.

Book now through the schedule and bookings section, on the MINDBODY app or call 021-4279696.

Workshop price: €75*
Weekend Workshop price: €135** (both Saturday and Sunday)
*Workshop fee is transferable if canceled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

**If purchasing both Saturday and Sunday Workshops, use DISCOUNT CODE: ‘VIRIAM’ on Workshop ‘Yoga, Pranayama and Neuroplasticity with Viriam and Adam.

Join Yogacharya Lalit, who has over 20 years experience sharing the practise of yoga for this 3 day yoga workshop designed to deepen your asana, improve your alignment and develop greater physical and subtle awareness in your practice.

Each of the three days will start with a pranayama, meditation and an energising & dynamic morning vinyasa class with Lalit.

In the afternoon Lalit will take you through some of his exciting new workshops created to improve your physical and mental strength, and to bring a new depth to to your asana practice.

This is is a dynamic immersion and it is open to all levels of those with an existing practice and willingness to learn. Lalit is an experienced and inclusive teacher who welcomes students of all backgrounds

Programme:

Friday July 19th
08:00 – 08:30 Pranayama and Meditation
08:30 – 10:00 Asana – Morning Vinyasa: Get energised for the day with a dynamic vinyasa
16:00 – 18:00 – Workshop | Explore the beauty of asana: Focusing on backbends this workshop explores the beauty of energising benefits of asana.

Saturday July 20th
08:00 – 08:30 Pranayama and Meditation
08:30 – 10:00 Asana – Morning Vinyasa: Get energised for the day with a dynamic vinyasa
16:00 – 18:00 – Workshop | Strength from the Core: An arm-balancing workshop designed to build strength and focus .

Sunday July 21st
08:00 – 08:30 Pranayama and Meditation
08:30 – 10:00 Asana – Morning Vinyasa: Get energised for the day with a dynamic vinyasa
16:00 – 18:00 – Workshop | Hips, Bandhas, Breath. Exploring hip opening postures from the Primary series with a focus on breath and bandhas

Prices:

Full weekend price – €145*

1 Day Pass – €55*

2 Day Pass – €95

To book your spot go to the schedule and booking section on our website, use the MINDBODY app or call our team on 021-4279696.

This intensive is already filling fast with Lalit’s students from around the world and Cork so get in touch if you are interested in attending.

Press Release 14th May 2019

‘Yoga in the Park with Himalaya Yoga Valley’ is back again this summer in the beautiful setting of Fitzgerald’s Park and the Regional Park Ballincollig. The weekly summer event has raised over €62,000 for charity over the last five years, with the team hoping to raise even more funds this year!

The first outdoor class of the summer will take place in both parks over the bank holiday weekend on Saturday 1st June 2019. All funds raised at Fitzgerald’s Park will go towards Cork Simon Community, while Pieta House will benefit from the funds raised at the Regional Park Ballincollig. The class at Fitzgerald’s Park will take place in front of the bandstand and run from 10:00-11:15am. The class at the Regional Park Ballincollig will run from 10:15-11:30am.

Every Saturday from June 1st-September 7th, yoga enthusiasts and novices will stretch it out and improve their own physical and mental health while supporting those in need! Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre will host this weekly donation yoga class. Last year, over 400 people joined the Himalaya Yoga Valley team across both parks for Yoga in the Park and this year they hope to make it an even greater success!

Cork Simon’s Director, Dermot Kavanagh, said “This is what community is all about – people believing in people; coming together to support men, women and children in our community who are suffering from the exclusion, isolation and devastation of homelessness. The support of Himalaya Yoga Valley and all those participating in this very popular event over the last five years have helped us to keep our doors open for every person turning to us for help – it’s Cork at its best.”

Kieran Brady Director of Funding & Advocacy, Pieta House said “Pieta would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the generous donation and continued support from Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre Cork. The Yoga in the Park is a really rewarding and beneficial Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative for all involved. The funds received will help us provide our nationwide services which are free of charge and freely available therapeutic services to people who are in suicidal distress, those who engage in self-harm and those who are bereaved by suicide”.

We welcome you to join members of the Himalaya Yoga Valley team, Cork City Council, Cork Simon Community and Pieta House at the launch of this wonderful fundraising initiative on Saturday 1st June 2019.

Marion Courtney, Business Manager at Himalaya Yoga Valley said “All of our team get great satisfaction from helping others through yoga. We encourage everybody to join us each Saturday of the summer months in either park to help raise much needed funds for these organisations whilst looking after their mind and body through yoga! To see over 400 people from all walks of life, ages, fitness abilities and entire families practicing yoga together every week for charity really is something special. We are so grateful to our team, members of our community and Cork City Council for making it such a great success”.

To take part in ‘Yoga in the Park with Himalaya Yoga Valley’ all you need to bring along is your yoga mat, donation (minimum €5), water and sunscreen. All ages and abilities are welcome and this is a family friendly event. Follow Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre Cork on social media to keep up to date on weather updates each Saturday. For more information log onto www.yogacorkireland.com, email info@yogacorkireland.com or telephone 0214279696.

We look forward to seeing you at the launch of this wonderful community initiative!

Picture Caption: Fitzgerald’s Park, July 2018. Yoga from the Sky! ‘Yoga in the Park with Himalaya Yoga Valley’ starts back on Saturday June 1st! This class by donation will take place every Saturday over the summer months in Fitzgerald’s Park and the Regional Park Ballincollig. Photo Credit: Loose Skies

Join our senior yoga teacher Lisa Fahy for Fun Salutations- a vinyasa flow class with different takes on the sun salutations and lots of yoga poses creatively infused throughout. In the session you will work through some fun rounds targeting core, hips, shoulders, hamstrings, quads, balance and backbends and begin to go deep and cool down with moon salutations and floor poses.

This well balanced class is great for overall health and wellbeing, improving immunity, circulation, digestion and endocrine health.

The Level 1 class is suitable for New Beginnings Level 1 and New Beginnings Level 2 students (Beginner and Improvers) and takes place Saturday May 4th, 2pm-3.30pm in Penrose Wharf.

The Level 2 is suitable for students from Bridge to Peak and Peak to Power and will take place Sunday, April 14th 3.15pm-4.45pm in our Ballincollig studio.

Cost:
*Masterclasses are FREE for members who have Unlimited Yoga Memberships!
*Drop in price of €20
*People on class passes get 50% off so can attend for a special rate of €10 by using the Promo Code: MASTERCLASS
*Masterclass fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

Booking is essential-reserve your spot now through the schedule and booking section, on the Mindbody app or call us on 021-4279696 to avoid disappointment.

#BREATHING IRELAND
Ashtanga Weekend with Nita Miralles & Michael Schabort
May 10th, 11th & 12th 2019

Workshop times and dates:

Friday 10/05 6.30pm – 9pm: The Heart and Essence of Yoga

Saturday 11/05 10am – 12pm Led Ashtanga Class
Saturday 11/05 2pm – 5pm Journey to Padmasana Through Yin

Sunday 12/05 10am – 1pm Led Ashtanga Class + Conference (Yoga Dharma, questions, the Now, Philosophy)

Friday, The Heart and Essence of Yoga:

The first thing you do when you come into this life is Inhale and the last thing you do when you leave this life is exhale.

Cultivating an even steady breath is essential when it comes down to living yoga to the fullest. If you are able to cultivate the pranic breath skillfully with physical movement you are already a fully fledged Yogi.
You are neither more nor less than anyone.

It is important always to remind ourselves and never to forget that we are all beginners. It is only with a beginners mind that we as yogis can remain open and ready to receive and stay inspired in the present moment.

We hope to inspire and motivate each and every individual that practices with us.

During the session we will work with Suryanamaskar wrapped in the philosophy of Yoga.

Saturday, Journey to Padmasana through Yin:

A journey that will not leave you indifferent. We will delve into yin yoga to start the journey in our physical body, opening our channels, and relaxing our muscles and joints to achieve the maximum expression in this given moment.

Exploring specific asanas in a form of yin so that we can identify where the blockages are, in order to free up finding depth, space and more flexibility.

Sealing this exploration by digesting our experience sitting in stillness.

This will generally improve our range of motion in other physical activities, such as in Ashtanga yoga practice, in addition to providing more agility to our daily lives.

About the teachers:

Nita:
Originally from Spain, after an episode that marked a before and after in her life experience, she decides to leave behind everything known and venture to live a more nomadic life. Yoga has been the centre of her life for more than nine years. Fascinated by the connection in the now between the body and the mind synchronized with the breath. The practice of yoga is a daily experience of freedom and development of consciousness. It is to return home, to be here now in pure awareness. It is making love to life every day, the most intimate and profound relationship you have had. To love each other.

Michael:
Michael, from Cape Town South Africa, Has been running “Mysore Munich, school of ashtanga yoga,” in Munich Germany independently since Dec 2014. From March 2017 he moved on to travel and teach around the world. He has been teaching the Mysore method worldwide for more than 6 years now, and was Authorised level 2 by Sharath Jois, director of the KPJAYI and lineage holder of the Ashtanga Yoga method as taught by K Patthabi Jois. Michael continues to practice under the guidance of Sharath annually at the KPJAYI in Mysore, India.
Being totally committed to this path we call yoga, Michael finds his inspiration in the yogi’s who consciously reflect life as an open book.
He delights in reflecting on the shastras (ancient scriptures) and aspires to walking the path of Dharma. He attentively teaches with enthusiasm and delights in passing on his understanding and experience of yoga with authenticity, love, and mindfulness.

Weekend Workshop Cost:€145
Payment is essential to reserve a space. *Workshop fee is transferable but refundable.

Book now through our website or call us on 0214279696.

Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Level One Training
with Adam Divine

Fri 9th August – 7pm-10pm
Sat 10th August – 12.30pm-7.30pm
Sun 11th August – 10am-6pm
Mon 12th August – 12pm – 5pm

AYM combines deep tissue massage with coordinated breathwork and yoga stretching. Similar to Thai massage, Ayurvedic Yoga Massage is performed on a mat allowing for a full range of stretching. In addition; the deep tissue massage dissolves physical tension, while the assisted stretches and breath exercises realign the body and stimulate the natural flow of energy.
The deep tissue massage helps to remove knots and adhesions in the muscles, releases tension and prepares the body of the receiver for assisted yoga stretching. Through synchronised breathwork, the receiver is led progressively deeper into assisted yoga postures that help correct postural imbalances and restore harmony to the body. In keeping with the tradition of Ayurveda, herbal oils and medicinal powders are utilized for their healing properties.
This course is perfect for beginners and professional massage therapists alike. If you are a professional massage therapist, this serves as a CEU and is endorsed by the CThA (Complementary Therapists Association).

In this training:
Students will learn how to perform a basic 90 minute AYM sequence
Each set of techniques will first be demonstrated in detail by the teacher
Students will work with partners to practice each technique
Students will receive lots of one to one attention from the teacher
Use of props
Therapist body mechanics and self care will be taught throughout
Functional anatomy, pathology, contraindications will be taught for each technique
Students will receive full AYM level 1 detailed photo manual
This unique comprehensive approach to the body dissolves physical and emotional blocks, helps eliminate toxins, promotes correct posture, improves respiratory patterns, enhances energy levels, and leaves the receiver with a profound sense of well being.
This training is the first level – in the Level 2 training, the student will learn more advanced stretches and also to use the feet to perform the massage which creates a fluid massage stroke and is unique to Ayurveda.
(After the completion of Level 2 the student will receive a certificate – Level 2 is August 16th-19th August 2019)
Course cost for Level 1 is €350 including 13.5% VAT

Course cost for booking Level 1 & 2 together is €650 including VAT.
Please contact us if you wish to enrol in both courses. For Level One bookings please go to workshops section of our website or call the centre on 021 4279696 or email info@yogacorkireland.com to enrol.

Ayurveda Yoga Massage Training- Level 2
with Adam Divine

Fri 16th August – 7pm – 10pm
Sat 17th August – 12.30 – 7.30pm
Sun 18th August – 10am – 6pm
Mon 19th August – 12pm – 5pm

On the Level Two Ayurvedic Yoga Massage course, you will learn more massage techniques, advanced stretches and ‘walking’ which will make your massage session more varied.When you are working with clients over a
period of time, you will be able to offer more unique massage packages catering to their specific body issues.Level Two gives you alternatives to help you open up restricted areas and work with postural problems. You learn more advanced yoga stretches to target those areas. Level Two also includes walking on the body – using a chair or stool, you balance your body weight and use your feet to massage the body in long strokes. This gives you the potential to use more pressure if needs be adjusting your body weight. As in level one, you will be learning to communicate with your client, using coordinated breathwork to assist the stretches.In Level Two you reach certification standard approved by Complimentary Therapists Association UK. Naturally Level One is a pre-requisite.
Students will learn how about two hours worth of techniques and how to structure these into an hour or 90min session.
Each set of techniques will first be demonstrated in detail by the teacher
Students will work with partners to practice each technique
Students will receive lots of one to one attention from the teacher
Use of props
Therapist body mechanics and self care will be taught throughout
Functional anatomy, pathology, contraindications will be taught for each technique
Students will receive full AYM level 2 detailed photo manual
Students will receive Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Certificate
Course cost for Level 2 is €350 including 13.5 % VAT.

Course cost for booking Level 1 & 2 together is €650 including VAT.
Please contact us if you wish to enrol in both courses. For Level Two bookings please go to workshops section of our website www.yogacorkireland.com, call the centre on 021 4279696 or email info@yogacorkireland.com to enrol.

‘Knowing Your True Essence’ Kundalini Yoga Workshop With Krishan Prakash Kaur
23rd of March from 14:00-17:00,
Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre,
Penrose Wharf

Yogi Bhajan who brought Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1969 talked at length about the times we are currently living in, the demands on our psyche, the overload of information, the great disconnect and how these stresses would greatly impact our nervous system and mental health.
Kundalini Yoga is a fire yoga and it can go quite
deep helping you to truly meet yourself on your mat.

Yogi Bhajan Quote: “ We are at a crucial change of the time—a change of an Age. The basic sensitivity of people to their own psyche and to each other is shifting.
Now we must all experience and know our own mind so we can choose to act in an elevated and effective way”.

This workshop is designed to help you peel those inauthentic layers away getting to your True Essence. To put aside your expectations and demands on life and to replace them with neutral anticipation and childlike curiosity.
For you to learn to live your life in gratitude and to cultivate healthy habits. Learning to peel away the layers
of other peoples opinions and beliefs that are inauthentic to your own soul and experience. Helping you to put aside your doubts and to see your own unique talents and gifts and learning to be still, connecting deep within where all answers lie.

This workshop will polish those soul qualities and give space for your true essence to shine.We will be doing physical practices (kriyas) to open up the chakras (energy systems) helping to release the issues which are stuck in the tissue.

We will do breath work (pranayamas) to open up to the space and strengthen the nervous system. You will leave this workshop with tools and meditations to aid you in your
daily life.

Give yourself this space to dive in, to go deep and to give yourself permission to truly shine.

This workshop is open to all levels and the complete beginner.
Workshop price:€35*
*Workshop fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

Book now through our website, on the MindBody App or call us on 0214279696.

After her booked out Core Fundamentals Workshop in January, we are delighted to welcome back Sarah Moves for a series of three workshops!

UPPER BODY MOBILITY & STRENGTH FUNDAMENTALS
Workshop
Saturday, 23rd February
2.00pm-4.30pm
All Levels

Are you still feeling a lack of upper body strength despite all the chaturangas you bank in a week? Do you live with repetitive wrist, elbow or shoulder strains? Curious how to increase range of motion and freedom of movement in your shoulders?

The intention behind this workshop is to get reacquainted with the structure of the upper body so we can function more efficiently and move more freely as a whole, on and off the mat.

Together we will break down efficient movement patterns versus inefficient ones, and learn how to maintain structural integrity of the shoulder and upper back through isolated mobility and strength work that can easily be applied to your regular practice.

Whether you are new to learning about the anatomy and mechanics of the body, or a more experienced teacher/student who has a general knowledge but wants to invest in deepening your understanding and awareness to a new level, all will find value!

LOWER BODY MOBILITY & STRENGTH FUNDAMENTALS
WORKSHOP
Saturday, 16th March
2.00pm-4.30pm
All Levels

In this lower body focused workshop we will address fundamental movement patterns and the role of alignment in maintaining efficient hip mechanics in relation to the rest of our structure.

We will explore what it means to have mobile and functional ankles, knees, hips, and how recruitment of the right “stuff” can generate power, strength, and stability from the inside-out.

If you wish to build more of a solid foundation in your standing poses, struggle with balancing, or want to learn more about how to access your posterior chain, this one’s for you!

Whether you are new to learning about the anatomy and mechanics of the body, or a more experienced teacher/student who has a general knowledge but wants to invest in deepening your understanding and awareness to a new level, all will find value!

HANDSTAND FUNDAMENTALS
WORKSHOP
Saturday, 6th April
2.00pm-4.30pm
All Levels

Are you still kicking up and hoping for the best? Hitting a plateau? Have you always dreamt of learning how to perform a handstand but convinced yourself it just wasn’t in your wheelhouse?

In this workshop we will uncover the roadblocks and prerequisites for skill development in performing a handstand. We will look at joint preparation, alignment, and how to carefully enter and fall out of alignment. Together we will explore accessible bite size tools/methods to help us build the upper body mobility and strength needed to feel stable upside down in this elusive pose (not to mention have FUN doing it)!

Whether you are brand new to handstands, have been kicking up for years, or you wouldn’t dream of it and still feel intimidated by crow pose, all levels are welcome.

Workshop Price: €30* each
Workshop Series Price: €80** (all three)
*Workshop fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.
**When booking all 3 workshops, use promo code: SARAHMOVES

Book online now or call the centre on 021-4279696!

Hazel O’ Sullivan will host two Yin/Yang Fusion Masterclasses, Level 1 (Suitable for Beginners and Improvers) in Penrose Wharf on Saturday 9th of February from 2pm to 3.30pm and Level 2 (Suitable for Intermediate and Advanced) in Ballincollig on Sunday 10th March from 3.15pm to 4.45pm.

This class will be a balance of both passive, long held stretches (Yin), working on the deep connective tissues, fascia and joints of the body and a more active flowy sequence (Yang) to target muscles and blood flow and will also include meditation and pranayama.

Yin yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, making us more resilient to stress, it helps to stabilise blood pressure, helps us to sleep better and gives us a better introspective awareness of our body. Yang yoga increases blood flow to the muscles helping to stimulate our circulation and boost our immune function. It helps to strengthen, lengthen and oxygenate our muscles.

*Masterclasses are FREE for members who have Unlimited Yoga Memberships!
*Drop in price of €20
*People on class passes get 50% off so can attend for a special rate of €10 by using the Promo Code: MASTERCLASS
*Masterclass fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

Book now on the MindBody App or call our team on 021-4279696.

We have two exciting masterclasses with our wonderful teacher Emer Harrington this month in both Penrose Wharf and Ballincollig!

Winter Warmer Masterclass with Emer (Penrose Wharf)
Monday January 21st at 8pm to 9.30pm
Suitable for Intermediate and Advanced Practitioners

Winter Warmer Masterclass with Emer (Ballincollig)
Monday January 28th at 8pm to 9.30pm
Suitable for All Levels New Beginnings Level 1 and New Beginnings Level 2 Students

Start the New Year with this winter warmer class. Get your body moving, help boost your immune system for winter, and take some time out for your wellbeing.

In this class we will explore our inner Tapas, our fiery determination to keep stepping onto our mat, burning away whatever holds us back during the colder winter months.

We will focus on our winter wellbeing by building internal heat through a combination of dynamic breathing techniques such as kapalabhati (breath of fire) and energising, flowing yoga postures to help boost our immunity for winter.

We will then move into slower, restorative yoga to help bring calm to body and mind and stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system, for some much needed relaxation and self care at this time of year.

We will connect to our inner warmth and light through mindful meditation focused on our manipura chakra or solar plexus, our source of inner fire and heat, to help power us through the colder, darker season.

*Masterclasses are FREE for members who have Unlimited Yoga Memberships!
*Drop in price of €20
*People on class passes get 50% off so can attend for a special rate of €10 by using the Promo Code: MASTERCLASS
*Masterclass fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

Book now on the Mindbody App, through or call us on 021-4279696.

One of the wonderful things about yoga is that it’s not just a series of exercises, breathing and relaxation techniques. It can be a way of life! We can practice yoga through the way we treat ourselves and others in everything we do. We can become happier and more fulfilled through practicing the yamas of yoga, which are ethical guidelines for our daily lives. Yoga is an ancient healing science from India and the very first part of the traditional journey of yoga starts with these five yamas:

1. Ahimsa (non-harming)
This instruction is to practice kindness, forgiveness and non-judgement to ourselves and other beings, both in our actions and most challengingly, in our thoughts. Putting this into action can be difficult but so internally transformative that students often put all of their focus into this yama before moving on to exploring the others. When we are free from negative thoughts towards ourselves and others, inner peace can be found.

2. Satya (honesty)
To practice Satya, we need to explore the reasons why we are being dishonest in the first place. Is it habit? Fear? Recklessness? If we are more honest with ourselves about the causes of our lies it may help us to be more honest with others. Through truthfulness we can live freer, more confident and authentic lives.

3. Asteya (non-stealing)
Of course, this yama means to refrain from stealing the obvious – physical objects but it also asks us to look at what else we are taking from others that we don’t own or need. Are we taking advantage of other people’s kindness, their time, credit for their work? Are we stealing from our own potential by spending time and energy on things that don’t lift ourselves or others? We all know how good it feels to give a present or help another being. This yama encourages us to consciously take less and give more.

4. Brahmacharya (unity)
This yama asks us to look at where we are getting our pleasure from? Are we using other people? Stimulants? Unhealthy habits? Can we assess and moderate these dependencies to balance our senses and free our minds? Can we strive for healthy, non-dependant relationships, and make better choices in what we are feeding our minds through social media, TV, magazines etc. Moderating our senses can help us to find inner peace and joy.

5. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
Do you envy others for what they have? Do you attach emotion to your possessions and to the acquisition of them? Do you own more than you need? Are your goals in life to acquire more stuff? It’s hard when we live in a society that encourages all of this. It takes wisdom to see that these things only lead to unhappiness, but it takes huge strength to stop. This yama asks us to put less importance on possessions, to use what we need in life without placing ownership on it, to value our relationships, our health, happiness and self-worth more than the things we own or could own.

By practicing the 5 Yamas of Yoga this New Year, you will lead a more honest and peaceful life.

Lisa Fahy
Senior Teacher
Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre Cork

Join Sarah Moves for her Core Fundamentals workshop in our Penrose Wharf studio on Saturday 26th January from 14.00 to 16.30.

In this workshop we will get reacquainted with the structure of the spine and ‘core’ so we can function more efficiently and move more freely as a whole (on and off the mat). We will look at how alignment is key to efficient breathing mechanics and bracing under load, and explore how the mobility and stability of the spine directly translates into autonomy for the upper and lower limbs.

If you suffer from lower back aches, find it challenging to access the muscles of the pelvic floor, or even just feel you still need to “work on your core” or your posture after practicing so much yoga, you will find value. This workshop is the perfect opportunity for us to dig deeper into these potential issues and find some concrete, tangible solutions to immediately put into practice and allow us to feel more connected as a whole.

Workshop price: €30*

*Workshop fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

You can book online, on the Mindbody App or give us a call on 021-4279696.