Yoga in the Park Returns to Cork!

Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre are delighted to announce the return of one of Cork’s most popular outdoor weekly events. Yoga in The Park for Cork Simon Community kicks off again on Saturday 2nd June 2018 in Fitzgerald’s Park. Every Saturday, yoga enthusiasts and novices will stretch it out in aid of Cork Simon Community to help fight homelessness through yoga. Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre Cork will host this weekly donation yoga class every Saturday morning from 10:00am-11.15am in front of the bandstand. Last year, each weekly class saw up to 250 people join the Himalaya Yoga Valley team for Yoga in the Park and this year they hope to make it an even greater success!

Cork Simon’s Director, Dermot Kavanagh, said the backing of the wider community is crucial in tackling the ongoing housing and homeless crisis. He said, “Himalaya Yoga Valley – and everyone who attends Yoga in the Park are very much playing their part. For that, we’re very grateful.”

Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre are also excited to announce the details of Yoga in the Park at Ballincollig Regional Park which will also commence on Saturday June 2nd at 10.15am. This will be in aid of Pieta House who provide therapy services for suicide and self-harm in Ireland.

“We love to see the community come together in Fitzgerald’s Park for Yoga in the Park- it is such a beautiful space in nature right in our city. To see over 200 people from all walks of life, ages, fitness abilities and entire families practicing yoga together every week for Cork Simon 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. We are also delighted to announce that Yoga in the Park will also be held every Saturday at 10.15am in Ballincollig Regional Park in aid of Pieta House! 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 with yoga! All ages and abilities are welcome.” Marion Courtney Business Manager Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre

To take part in Yoga in the Park all you need to bring along is your yoga mat, donation, water and sunscreen. We recommend that you book your place through our website on the class schedule page or on the Mind Body App however there will be plenty of room so you can just join us on the day. We advise people to walk or use public transport if possible as parking is limited in and around both parks. The Cork County Council have advised people who are driving to Ballincollig Regional Park to use the allotments car park which is no 14 on this link Ballincollig Regional Park Map and the class will take place in the green area beside the playground which is no 10 on the map.

Introducing team #runyogisrun for this year’s Cork City Marathon!

We are so excited to have a relay team running this year in aid of Pieta House, Preventing Suicide and Self Harm – a charity that does really important work. We will have a fundraising collection bucket in reception in Penrose Wharf and in Ballincollig – we’d love your support! Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook for more running related tips from our dream team of Sonya, Emer, Marion and Mary over the coming weeks. Be sure to join us for our runners themed New Beginnings Level 2 class which will be held every Tuesday evening in Ballincollig with Jim at 6.15pm and with Emer in Penrose Wharf at 8pm.

Yoga in the Park Launch Date Announced

Yoga in the Park returns for another year and we look forward to stretching our heart for Simon again this year and raising even more funds for this incredible charity. We will launch Yoga in the Park at Fitzgerald’s Park on Saturday June 2nd at 10am and the outdoor yoga class will run every Saturday morning up until Saturday September 8th. All you have to bring along is your yoga mat, water, sunscreen and most importantly your donation to the Cork Simon Community (minimum of €5). This class is open to everybody and we hope to see lots of new faces there this year! So come join us on Saturday June 2nd for a fun morning out! Register your place on the class schedule section of our website or the Mind Body App. See you on the mat:)

Asana Intensive Weekend with Lalit-June 8th-June 10th

Deepen and expand your practice under the guidance of Yogacharya Lalit. Each day of this retreat will see students practicing the full Ashtanga primary series in the morning with focus on opening a specific area of the body in the afternoon class.

All levels are encouraged to attend & whilst this is an advanced immersion it is open to those with a steady existing practice or those who are currently teaching.

Full Weekend Program Cost: €200*
Please note that Lalit’s workshops fill quickly and spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

Russell Brand visits Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre

Russell Brand graced us with his presence last Tuesday March 13th for a private Yoga class with our lovely teacher Hazel. It is no secret that Russell Brand has used yoga as a way to stay clean and sober for the last 12+ years and we loved having him come to practice at our centre in Penrose Wharf.

Hip Opening Workshop Level 1 & 2 with Lisa Fahy

Why did you take up Yoga?

I lost my Father suddenly in December 2009 and I struggled for a long time with sleep and grief in general. 3.5 years later it was taking its toll on me working 40 hours a week and not being able to get even one night of uninterrupted sleep.

I attended my first class with the amazing Lisa Fahy and for the first time in 3.5 years I got a full night’s sleep after 1 single class. I continued once a week with restorative yoga and my sleep pattern just turned around completely in no time. Within a few weeks I began to notice profound changes going on with my own mind, how I viewed life, feelings and emotions in general about everything in my life. I was truly intrigued with what was happening and curious to look into it more, it was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

I eventually decided to try New Beginnings Level 1. One of my first few classes of this was a dark wet dreary Monday night in early January 2014, usually a night when one would be full of the January blues. Yet I left this class and felt really happy smiling to myself driving home. Even more intrigued at this point I starting attending classes at least 3 times a week from that point on. Lisa was my first teacher and her passion, love and dedication to yoga was truly contagious & I just absorbed it.

The mental changes that came with the practice were so profound I haven’t stopped since, now it’s just part of my everyday life. The physical changes have also been amazing but I always consider this a side effect. You cannot pay for inner peace and calmness this practice brings.

How has yoga helped in your everyday life?

It has totally changed every aspect of my life. I work in a corporate tech company, sitting at a computer 5 days a week and at times it’s a highly pressured stressed environment but these days the stress is like water running off a duck’s back & more often than not I just laugh things off, what else can you do?!

Yoga is part of everything in my life, both good and bad.  It has made me truly understand how to actually just be, to live in the moment, something my Father always tried teaching me and I couldn’t grasp how to stop the “monkey mind” as Lalit calls it. I have finally learned.

Of course there are times where I have to consciously remind myself that there is no point in stressing out but with my regular practice of Yoga that reminder comes to the forefront so much quicker than anything would have previously. “Take a deep breath” is something we so often hear when in a heightened stressed state yet it’s quickly dismissed and I think in general we have all long forgotten of the real true power of simply our own breath.

Aside from dealing with the stresses of life, as clichéd as it sounds it really has made me realise the beauty in life, how grateful I am to just be here and have this chance to live. Life excites me and what I find most profound is that excitement most days (we all have our down days, so don’t get me wrong!!) is that there is no specific reason attached to it, it’s not dependent on something specific in my life that I have, own, have planned and so on, it’s simply just life itself and that’s something that cannot be taken from me until my time here is up.

Lastly I have found I have changed simple things like how I sit, how I walk and many other normal daily movements to ensure I do it with integrity to prevent long-term damage to muscles, tissues, joints and so on so planning to still be practicing Yoga in my 80s 😉

Which are you favorite classes?

That’s honestly the hardest question as I attend almost all classes and love them all for all different reasons. If I absolutely had to choose then I would say Ashtanga and Peak to Power.

Do you use yogic breathing outside of your yoga classes?

Yes, absolutely. In work I will often take a few minutes out somewhere and do a few rounds of Nadi Shondana. Just sitting at my desk in work I will often stop for a minute to just focus on my breath or the 3 part breath. Anytime I feel a cold or flu coming on I will do a lot more practice of Nadi Shodhona, Ujjayi and Bhramari & I think I have definitely have warded off some nasty symptoms in doing these.

What would you say to somebody considering taking up yoga ?

Don’t take my word for it just go for it, take a class and I promise you will not regret it. Anyone at all can start Yoga anytime in their life, you do not need to be young, fit, flexible or strong to start practicing. Yoga will simply do its thing regardless of your expectations.

Partner Yoga Workshop

Do you have someone in mind that you know should try yoga? This is your workshop to help them get started! Share the love of yoga with your partner, partner in crime, best friend, sibling or parent.

Come for an enjoyable pair yoga session full of fun and full of yoga. The workshop will be led by our wonderful teacher Anca.

Detox January with our Super Sonic Liver Tonic Workshop

http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/asp/adm/main_enroll.asp?fl=true&tabID=8

We are so excited to share our new Yoga Memberships with you! We have always aimed to offer affordable, authentic and accessible yoga to the people of Cork and these Yoga Memberships are a great way to practice as much as you desire for a seriously affordable price! You can enjoy unlimited yoga with any teacher, any day, anytime at our centres in Penrose Wharf and Ballincollig for just €69 per month for a 6 month pass and €79 per month for a 3 month pass! These memberships also entitle you to 10% off our yoga retreats, workshops with our teachers and merchandise. This is a seriously fantastic way to immerse yourself in your yoga practice or begin your yoga journey with Corks largest yoga studio with over 50 classes per week across two branches on offer!