JCI Cork & Himalaya Yoga Valley Wellness Event in aid of the Cork Simon Community
JCI Cork and Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre Cork invite you to an evening of relaxation and yoga at the Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre in Penrose Wharf on Thursday 23rd November. Starting at 6pm, the event in aid of the Cork Simon Community will be presented by Emer Harrington of Himalaya Yoga Valley. Emer will give a short talk on the physical and mental benefits of yoga – particularly for those leading busy lives. This will be followed by a one hour yoga class, with a focus on calming breathing techniques and yoga poses that you can practice at home to help build strength and flexibility. The evening will continue with some healthy refreshments and networking.
JCI Cork is a voluntary organisation dedicated to providing leadership and personal development opportunities for people in their 20’s and 30’s. JCI Cork is part of JCI Ireland and a larger worldwide organisation with a global membership of over 200,000 in 120+ countries. During the year, they run training for members and the general public, community projects and also flagship projects such as the Friendly Business Awards. “We are very excited to partner with Himalaya Yoga Valley on this event and hope to raise much needed funds and awareness of the wonderful work that the Cork Simon Community are doing here in our city” said JCI Cork President, Carol O’Donovan.
Himalaya Yoga Valley recently received the 2017 National Friendly Business Award for Community Impact from JCI Ireland. The award recognised their friendly staff, excellent customer service and the huge impact the business has made in the local community through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives which include Yoga in The Park. Yoga in the Park brings the whole yoga community together to help the Cork homeless crisis. Himalaya Yoga Valley are also running Meditate by Donate classes at their Penrose Wharf Centre on a Saturday morning at 9am and at their Ballincollig Centre on a Sunday morning at 9am. These initiatives have now raised over €40,000 for the Cork Simon Community. “We are very proud of the yoga community we’ve grown in Cork over the past five years,” said Director Maeve O’Brien. “We were delighted to receive the National Friendly Business Award for Community Impact which recognises the impact we have made in our local community. Not only have we enriched the lives of thousands of people in Cork through yoga but we have also supported many charities over the years. All our staff get great satisfaction from helping others through yoga and making a difference in their community.”
“Everyone has a role to play in fighting homelessness. Himalaya Yoga Valley Cork have done an excellent job over the years in facilitating people to take an easy and active role in addressing the growing homeless crisis in Cork. As the number of people turning to us for help continues to increase, we welcome their partnership with JCI Cork to host another community event in support of our work, with their Wellness Event on November 23rd. With conscientious and generous support from the community, we are keeping our doors open around-the-clock, every day of the year for everyone who needs our help.” Dermot Kavanagh, Director.
Online registration is essential for this event as spaces are limited. A minimum donation of €15 is requested and you can book online through Eventbrite. For further information ring 021 4279696.
Digital Champions at the Cork Digital Marketing Awards
Himalaya Yoga Valley were declared as the overall 2017 Cork Digital Marketing Champion at the Cork Digital Marketing Awards which took place on Thursday October 26th in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. We also took home the prize for Best Use of Video (30 or less employees) & Digital Superhero which recognised our community initiative Yoga in the Park which to date has raised over €40,000 for the Cork Simon Community. The Judges were impressed with our creativity and sense of fun and the way our Digital Marketing has had a real world social impact that is going to inspire other businesses and organisations. Thanks to our dedicated team and online followers for helping us to achieve this. Read the full press release from the night HERE.
Come join us this Friday for ‘Feel Good Friday’. Feel good Friday is hosted by the Cork Business Association, Cork Chamber, Cork City Council and city centre businesses.Businesses come together to create a fun day around the streets of Cork.There is a festival-like atmosphere in the Cork City centre with live music, free finger food, special offers, competitions, workshops, and lots of fun.
This month for Feel Good Friday we are hosting a Happy Hour Class with Yogita which takes place from 4pm-5pm at our yoga centre situated at 34 Penrose Wharf, Cork City. The class will include meditation and breathing exercises (praynama) followed by a yoga class and healthy goodies. Book your class at www.yogacorkireland.com or by emailing your details to info@yogacorkireland.com
Himalaya Yoga Valley raises over €40,000 for the Cork Simon Community’
Himalaya Yoga Valley was awarded the 2017 Cork Friendly Business Award for Community Impact by JCI Cork last Thursday night at the Clayton Silversprings Hotel, two days before they handed over €13,655 to the Cork Simon Community at the final day of Yoga in the Park 2017. The final class of the year was led by founder of Himalaya Yoga Valley Lalit Kumar. The Lord of Mayor of Cork, Tony Fitzgerald was at Fitzgerald Park to celebrate the organisation raising over €40,000 for the Cork Simon Community over the last four years through their Yoga in the Park and Meditate by Donate Classes.
Himalaya Yoga Valley have made a remarkable impact in the local community through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives which include the hugely successful Yoga in The Park. Himalaya Yoga Valley also offer free yoga classes to Cork Simon Community staff and volunteers at their studios to help them continue the great work they are doing through increased wellness.
Yoga in the Park is a donation based yoga class open to all members of the community in aid of the Cork Simon Community. Every Saturday at 10am from the months of June-September, yoga enthusiasts and novices stretch it out in aid of Cork Simon Community to help fight homelessness through yoga. It has grown into a hugely popular event welcoming up to 250 people each week to Fitzgerald’s Park. Yoga in the Park brings the whole yoga community together to help the Cork homeless crisis. The event promotes well-being in Cork and has started many people off on their yoga journey.
Marion Courtney Business Manager at Himalaya Yoga Valley said “We were delighted to receive the Cork Friendly Business Award for Community Impact. Not only have we enriched the lives of thousands of people in Cork through yoga but we have also supported many charities over the years including the Cork Simon Community, Hope Foundation and Better Together Cork. All our staff get great satisfaction from helping others through yoga and making a difference in their community and we are thrilled to have now exceeded the €40,000 mark for the Cork Simon Community’.
Himalaya Yoga Valley look forward to continued success and growth of the Yoga in the Park project and would like to thank all of the clients who attended and supported this project. For more information visit www.yogacorkireland.com, call 021 472 9696, email info@yogacorkireland.com
Winner of the Cork Friendly Business Award for Community Impact
Himalaya Yoga Valley was awarded the JCI Cork 2017 Cork Friendly Business Award for Community Impact on Thursday September 7th at an awards dinner held at the Clayton SilverSprings Hotel.
The award recognised the impact made in the community through our yoga classes and ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Himalaya Yoga Valley have made a huge impact in the local community through Yoga in The Park, which has been running now for the past four years. This is a donation based yoga class open to all members of the community in aid of the Cork Simon Community. Every Saturday at 10am from the months of June-September, yoga enthusiasts and novices stretch it out in aid of Cork Simon Community to help fight homelessness through yoga. It has grown into a hugely popular event welcoming up to 250 people each week to Fitzgerald’s Park. Yoga in the Park brings the whole yoga community together to help the Cork homeless crisis. The event promotes well-being in Cork and has started many people off on their yoga journey. Himalaya Yoga Valley also ran meditate by donate classes at their Penrose Wharf studio and through both of these initiatives have raised close to €40,000 for the Cork Simon Community. They also offer free yoga classes to Cork Simon Community staff and volunteers at their studios to help them continue the great work they are doing.
“We are very proud of the yoga community we’ve grown in Cork over the past five years,” said Director Maeve O’Brien. “Our classes are accessible to everybody and the numbers practicing yoga have grown exponentially year on year. We are delighted to receive the Cork Friendly Business Award which recognises the impact we have made in our local community. Not only have we enriched the lives of thousands of people in Cork through yoga but we have also supported many charities over the years including the Cork Simon Community, Hope Foundation and Better Together Cork. All our staff get great satisfaction from helping others through yoga and making a difference in their community.”
Cork city’s premier yoga centre, Himalaya Yoga Valley-one of the largest yoga centres in Ireland, is opening a new studio in Ballincollig! Due to the sensational success of the Cork City centre in Penrose Wharf, which has grown from strength to strength over the last 5 years the demand for more space, classes and yoga services has increased greatly in outer Cork areas. To meet this demand, Himalaya Yoga Valley will open a dedicated yoga studio in Ballincollig this summer.
This is a very exciting time for Cork’s yoga community, the company, the teachers and staff. Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre has operated an international yoga training and retreat centre in India for more than a decade and opened its centre in Cork City in 2012.
“We are very proud of the yoga community we’ve grown in Cork over the past five years,” said Director Maeve O’Brien. “Our classes are accessible to everybody and the numbers practicing yoga have grown exponentially year on year. We have listened to the feedback from our regular clients and recognise the need to have an express service in the suburban areas. Himalaya Yoga Valley staff and teachers are excited to see newcomers from Ballincollig and surrounds and all our clients from the past five years to experience the new studio for themselves.”
Highlights of the new location include:
Ballincollig’s first dedicated yoga space
Optimal location on the Link Road with plenty of parking
New to Yoga, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels catered for
Specialising in yoga for sports & fitness enthusiasts
Beautiful spacious studio and highly qualified teachers
The founder & Director of Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre, Yogacharya Lalit from India, has taught nationally and internationally for the past 15 years, graduating thousands of students at his training centres in Goa, Dharamshala and Thailand, as well as here in Ireland. The vibrant teaching team at the Cork City centre have all been trained by Lalit in India or Ireland, and through their classes share traditional yoga teachings from India with an emphasis on improving physical, emotional and mental health.
Yogacharya Lalit will be in attendance to open the centre on a date to be announced. Over the opening week he and his team of highly qualified yoga teachers will teach free classes for our new and valued clients and those wishing to begin their yoga journey.
For press enquiries of more information, please contact:
Anne Marie Ruby, General Manager (021) 427 9696 info@yogacorkireland.com
To celebrate our 5 year anniversary, our school founder Yogacharya Lalit is running some FREE (yes we said FREE!)
Yoga Workshops in the centre on 15th & 16th July.
These workshops are available to our loyal clients as a thank you for all the support over the past 5 years! We will have further announcements to celebrate our 5 year anniversary this month so stay tuned!!
Lalit is delighted to be passing on the traditions of Yoga to our Cork yogis! He has over 15 years experience teaching nationally and internationally. He’s a prominent and established yoga teacher in the global yoga community with a strong following within the yoga teaching world.
Below is a list of the workshops available and booking is essential!
Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners
Saturday 15th July
2pm-3.30pm
A great opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of beginning a dynamic, traditional Ashtanga yoga practice with Lalit.
Book Now using the Mindbody app or website www.yogacorkireland.com to book online or text 0858566565 to reserve a place!
Vinyasa Flow Class with Hip Opening Focus for All Levels
Saturday 15th July
4pm-5.30pm
This class is open to those wishing to focus on building heat, energy and prana through plenty of dynamic movement using Vinyasas. A well rounded series with a focus on hip openers throughout.
Book Now using the Mindbody app or website www.yogacorkireland.com to book online or text 0858566565 to reserve a place!
Led Primary Series Class with exploration of the Second Series Back Bends for existing Ashtanga Yoga and Intermediate Practitioners
Sunday 16th July
10am-12pm
This masterclass takes students through the Primary Series with plenty of adjustments, attention to precise alignment and techniques on the front and back body through the exploration of first and second series backbends.
Book Now using the Mindbody app or website www.yogacorkireland.com to book online or text 0858566565 to reserve a place!
Below is video with Lalit’s personal story about yoga and balance as a taster for more to come with the workshops! Enjoy!
What was your path from practitioner to teacher?
I took up Satyananda yoga about 10 years ago as I had constant back pain that I was hoping to relieve. I remember also wanting to find some mental focus and clarity as I was just out of college and making a lot of big life decisions. It certainly gave me all of things and so much more-I loved it. I had a very inspiring teacher Aoife Kelly who has since moved to America and getting to know her showed me that it was more than just a class, it was a way of life. A way to be a kinder, happier, healthier person by freeing the mind and body of tension and blockages. It was after I went to my first yoga retreat that I started to think about a career in yoga. I had studied and been working in social care so always wanted my work to involve helping people. I kept it to the back of my mind and continued to deepen my own practice and knowledge. Somewhere along the way I discovered Ashtanga yoga and even though I found it extremely challenging I just loved the way it made me feel, so mentally positive and physically strong, my mind never felt clearer, my back never felt better. It gave me more motivation in all aspects of life. I began to research teacher training courses and decided to take up a yearlong night course in massage therapy to get a good understanding of the anatomy of the body first as I didn’t feel quite ready. I’ve known many great teachers who studied yoga teacher training very soon into their yoga journey but I wanted to take a slower approach as my vision was to make a complete career change when the time was right. I chose to study with Lalit and his amazing team at the Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre in Goa, India after taking a few workshops with him in Cork. Choosing that course was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, both on a personal and professional level.
What is your favourite pose and why? Are there any poses that are difficult for you?
Ustrasana is one of my favourite poses, I just love how it feels, I love the stretch across my chest and feeling strong enough to hold myself so comfortably in this pose now, I still remember how difficult I used to find it. Backbends are much more challenging for me than forward bends and hip openers but in a way that makes them my favourite. I love how they make me feel more invigorated and happy, while forcing me to drop the ego.
What’s the most important thing yoga has taught you?
Ahimsa
The Yamas are the first limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga. Yamas deals with our ethical standards and how we conduct ourselves in life. Ahimsa is the first Yama and it means nonviolence. Deeper study of Ahimsa has taught me that it’s not only about being a vegetarian and not harming people but to also drop harmful or judgmental thoughts about myself and others too. It takes a lot of practice to change thinking patterns but it’s incredibly freeing when it works. Of course, it’s an ongoing practice and sometimes a struggle, but not only do I see the best in everyone now, I also subconsciously feel that everyone else is doing the same (I know they’re probably not) so I don’t feel judged or thought of negatively by others either. It’s a much happier and easier way to live life.
How does your own practice fit in?
I try to practice yoga as a way of life by following the Yamas and Niyamas. My main asana practice is Ashtanga but I also love to do a gentle, more restorative practice in the evenings or on certain days of the month. In the summer, I like to practice in the morning before work but in the winter I prefer to sleep in and practice in the afternoons.
What’s one of the biggest misconceptions about yoga that you’d like to address?
I have 2:
1) That yoga is for women – For centuries in India yoga was only practiced by men and when it spread across the western world it was embraced by women, which is wonderful but men seemed to shy away from it. They unfortunately missed out on learning these amazing tools to promote their mental and physical health. Thankfully we’re seeing a big change and almost a third of our clients are men who are enjoying the benefits of the practice. And one of the great things about yoga being a non-competitive activity is that families and friends can all practice together, we have classes with brothers and sisters, couples, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons attending together practicing at their own pace.
2) That yoga is only for the flexible – let’s set the spiritual, emotional, mental and physiological benefits aside for a moment and only look at the physical part of the practice. It makes no sense that all the stiff people in the world should just grow old, getting stiffer and stiffer while the people who have a lot of flexibility naturally get to keep doing the splits until they’re 95. This is not at all what yoga is about. You might never touch your toes or get your leg behind your head or whatever it is that you think yogis do. So what? The stretches are practiced to release tension, tightness, stress and maybe even pain from the body, resulting in more comfort, mobility, energy, injury prevention and better posture. What’s the most memorable thing that’s ever happened in your class?
It wasn’t during a class but a really lovely couple got engaged on one of my yoga retreats on Heir Island. It was particularly special because they had actually met in Goa while on retreat with Himalaya Yoga Valley. Everyone on our retreat was elated and we all celebrated with them that evening. They even came back to Heir Island last year while expecting their first child! They have a special place in our hearts at HYVC. Any gentle etiquette reminders you’d like to give students?
Remember to take your shoes off before entering the studio and put your phone away on silent.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take their practice to the next level?
Practice, practice, practice under the guidance of a good teacher. In the west it’s quite normal to switch between yoga styles, studios, courses etc. trying to get the broadest insight into the world of yoga. In India it’s more common to stick with one teacher/school and practice with consistency. Neither are wrong but I find the Indian method gives more direction and focus and less confusion.
How do you see the future of yoga?
I would love to see it become part of the school curriculum. Now more than ever, children need to detach from their screens and connect to themselves, learn to breath, learn to meditate and move their bodies in a three-dimensional way.
What does a typical day look like for you?
On most days I do split shifts so I have free time in the middle of the day to do my own yoga, walk the dog, cook or meet family or friends. My husband often works evenings too so we try to have a nice breakfast or lunch together.
Favourites: food, drink, place in Ireland, vacation destination, book, movie, musician?
Favourite food is always changing, especially now that I’m pregnant. At the moment, I love a good sandwich.
Favourite drink is always changing too, probably ginger beer, non-alcoholic at the moment.
Favourite place in Ireland. I can never decide between Heir Island where I run my yoga retreats and Derrynane where my family have a mobile home for many years.
Vacation Destination. Hard to beat my honeymoon in Borneo.
Book. “Half of a Yellow Sun” or anything else by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Movie. Impossible to pick something current but from childhood it would probably be Father of the Bride
Musician. Damien Rice
What would you like your students to take away with them after a class with you?
A sense of self belief and the ability to stop caring about what other people think.
I was in my early sixties when my daughter brought me along to my first yoga class. Being passionately involved in competitive sport all my life I believed that yoga would be too slow for me, that I would not be able to spend a precious hour of my free time lying on a mat. It just took that first class to alter my whole way of thinking. Contrary to all my preconceived and naive ideas about yoga, that first hour was challenging and inspiring. It just took that one class! A week later I broke my ankle in a climbing accident. However, as soon as that healed I was right back on the mat again and have been on it every day since. My developing interest in everything to do with yoga led me to complete the Level One teacher training programme with Himalaya Yoga Valley in 2016 and then to a glorious yoga retreat in Goa in February 2017.
The most important life lesson that yoga has taught me is that age is no barrier to maintaining high levels of physical and mental fitness, flexibility, balance and contentment. Through regular practice you can learn to live cheerfully no matter what joys or sorrows you experience in life. Daily practice has proved to me that yoga can change both body and mind and that it is possible to develop a whole new outlook on life, no matter what age you are or how unfit you are when you begin.
I am retiring this year from a career spent in third level education. I have found both the research and teaching aspects of my work absorbing and fulfilling. Although I will continue many of my research projects after I retire I was anxious about leaving teaching behind. This is why I was so pleased and grateful to be asked to join the teaching team here in Himalaya Yoga Valley. As a very young yoga scholar I have so much to learn; with that in mind I hope to continue my student career with Himalaya Yoga and to complete the 500 Level teacher training next year. In the meantime I will continue to practice yoga and live cheerfully every day.
Bernadette Cronin is a lecturer for Drama & Theatre Studies at University College Cork. She is a theatre-maker with GAITKRASH Theatre Company. Bernadette has always been interested in exploring the links between yoga and performance and qualified as a yoga teacher with Himalaya Yoga Valley in 2015. She is also a Voice Teacher for actors. She holds a Diploma in Translation from City University London and has published in the areas of adaptation and theatre practice.
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