Treasa Kearney has been teaching at Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre since she graduated from the teacher training course here in Cork in 2015.   She is a full-time primary school teacher and currently teaches New Beginnings Level 1 at 17.00 every Wednesday.

What was your path from practitioner to teacher?

My path from practitioner to teacher was relatively short. I was only practicing for over a year before I began my teacher training. I was amazed with how yoga helped me in my recovery from a head injury. The benefits I gained from the different pranyama techniques aided my recovery. I was fascinated with the way yoga increased my energy levels and stamina. I quickly became hooked! I wanted to study more about the benefits of yoga and to deepen my practice further so I began teacher training in 2015.

What is your favourite pose and why? Are there any poses that are difficult for you?

I love hip opening poses and backbends. Each time I enter a deep backbend or hip opener I am always surprised powerful they can be to release built up tension and emotions.

I find arm balances challenging. I can often feel frustrated when trying to perfect a pose. I have face planted many a time on my mat!!

What’s the most important thing yoga has taught you?

Yoga has helped me to live in the present moment. Breath is the focus. Often we can forget to breathe mindfully, just focusing on deep breaths can really bring me to the present moment and help with anxieties.

How does your own practice fit in?

It can be hard to fit in a full yoga practice every day with a full time job and other life commitments. I start my day with some kapalabhati pranayama followed by sun salutations and if time allows I do some standing and seated poses. Usually I will try fit in at least two long practices during the week.

What’s one of the biggest misconceptions about yoga that you’d like to address?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that yoga is for young, fit, flexible people. Yoga is so varied. There are many branches of yoga that people are unaware of – meditation, chanting, pranayama (breathing techniques) as well as asana (physical poses). Yoga is accessible for everyone you just have to discover which aspect suits you.

Favourites:  food, drink, place in Ireland, vacation destination, book?

Favourite place in Ireland – Ballycotton cliff walk or Banna beach Kerry

Favourite vacation destination – Zanzibar

Favourite book – One of my favourite reads is Tuesdays with Morrie

Jim Daly is a Sergeant in the Irish Defence Forces, where he has worked for 22 years.   He travelled to Goa in 2013 to complete the Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre Teacher Training and since then, he has taught in a variety of settings including the Irish Defence Forces and the Slí Eile Farm Project where he is a voluntary teacher.  He has been teaching classes at Himalaya Yoga Valley Cork for the past year.  Jim teaches Bridge to Peak Flow and Restore & Revive on Wednesday evenings and New Beginnings Level 2, Gentle Glow and Bridge to Peak every third Sunday.

What was your path from practitioner to teacher?

My path was a short one, I was only practicing yoga for about a year and a half when I started my Teacher Training.  Yoga was an instant love for me, I went to class every day, I became immersed in learning about the anatomy of poses, benefits etc. While overseas with the United Nations in 2013 I developed my self-practice and started leading classes for military personnel from a range of countries. The feedback on how yoga was influencing these soldiers, both physically and mentally, sealed my decision to teach.

What is your favourite pose and why?

My favourite pose is Bakasana (Crow Pose), it takes some strength and balance yet it still looks graceful.

What’s the most important thing yoga has taught you?

Yoga has taught me how to be flexible, and I don’t mean in anatomical terms. Your practice can change from day to day, some days you may be sore or tired and on those days you have to respect yourself and modify/adapt where it’s needed, be flexible in your practice.

How does your own practice fit in?

Getting my own practice in every day can honestly be a challenge.  Like most of us, I have plenty of work and family commitments so if I don’t have the time for a full practice on a day I just do five rounds of sun salutations A and B.

What’s one of the biggest misconceptions about yoga that you’d like to address?

“You have to be flexible to do yoga”.  No you don’t, you just have to get on your mat!  It’s not about being flexible or strong or touching your toes, it’s about the journey on the way down – that sense of calmness in your whole being after practising.  It’s about that time on your mat where you turn your practice into a moving meditation.

What’s the most memorable thing that’s ever happened in your class?

There are many, and most are from seeing students nailing that pose that has been so challenging for them for weeks or months, seeing that little grin on their face with what I can only presume are words running around in their mind saying “hell yeah, what’s next”.

WE ARE HIRING!!
We are currently seeking a friendly, customer service orientated administrative assistant who has a keen interest in marketing & social media. This position is a part-time position working 10 hours per week on Mondays and Fridays.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your application & CV to hyvcoffice@gmail.com. Applications will close 6pm Wednesday 2nd November.

We couldn’t be happier to announce that we are finalists in the Cork Chamber Digital Marketing Awards in the categories Best Use of Facebook and Best Use of Twitter! We look forward to the award ceremony at Fota Island Resort on the 27th!

We are delighted to announce we are semi Finalists in the following categories of the Cork Digital Marketing Awards 2016:

-Best Use of Facebook
-Best Use of Twitter
-Best Use of Video

Thanks to all of our amazing followers across all platforms for your support!

Free admission, pre-book online

Saturday, 6 August
14.00-14.45 pm
Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre
Penrose Wharf

The word Ayurveda transcribed means “The Science of Life or “The Science of Longevity”.  Ayurveda is one of the ancient medical sciences in the world and is not only a health care system but the art of healthy living that enables you to create harmony in daily life by applying self-knowledge and self-care.

Ayurveda specialises in designing a health and living plan that includes elimination of the cause(s) of disease or conditions; it treats the condition and implements health and wellness actions using herbs, foods, aromas, gems, colours, yoga and mantras that rebuild the body and continue its rejuvenation.

In this lecture, learn how you can use the Ayurveda approach to life to address the unique needs of your body, recognising and balancing your mental and emotional states and deepening your connection with your spirituality.

About Dr. Rohit

Dr. Rohit was born in Goa and completed his Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) degree at Goa University. He practices medicine in his North Goa clinics www.ayurvedagoa.org, renowned as an Ayurvedic physician, panchakarma and yoga specialist, with over a decade of experience in these areas.

Dr Rohit travels extensively around India and Europe, consulting, studying, lecturing and conducting workshops on Ayurveda, yoga and allied subjects.  Since 2008, Dr Rohit has been at the forefront of educating Himalaya Yoga Valley teacher trainees from all over the world on traditional Ayurveda and its relation to therapeutic yoga.  He is a valued member of the Himalaya Yoga Valley teaching team for India and Europe training. He is a very popular lecturer with trainees, inspiring many to continue further studies in Ayurveda medicine. He says: “Ayurveda, the science of life, is a boon to the science of healing and to seekers of health, rejuvenation, longevity and well-being”

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 the 4th June 2016 at 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. We will host this weekly by donation yoga class every Saturday morning at 10:00am-11.15am in front of the bandstand. Last year, each weekly class saw up to 150 people join the Himalaya Yoga Valley team for yoga in the park and we hope to make this year an even greater success!

More great news! We are adding Yoga for Kids class this year.  Suitable for Kids aged 4 years upwards, from 11.30 to 12.00 each Saturday.

Yoga in the Park has been a resounding success since Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre started hosting it in 2014 raising over €10,000 to date. Himalaya Yoga Valley clients have continued their support of Cork Simon Community with ‘Meditation by Donation’ classes during the winter.

We welcome you to join members of the Himalaya Yoga Valley team, Cork City Council and Simon Community at the launch of this wonderful fundraising initiative Saturday 4th June 2016.

Event:  Launch of Yoga in the Park for Cork Simon, Summer 2016

Location:  In front of the bandstand at Fitzgerald’s Park

Date and Time:  Saturday 4th June, 9.45am

RSVP: By Thursday 2nd June to info@yogacorkireland.com or by phone to 0214279696

If you require any more information, press or media details in relation to this event please contact Anne Marie Ruby on the above RSVP details.

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

Health talk by Fiona McDevitt, Chartered Physiotherapist of Posture Matters Ltd next Thursday 19th May from 6-6.30pm

“Stretch or Strain? And How the correct bra fit affects both”

Discover the important difference between stretching and straining, and how the correctly fitted bra can instantly make you look, feel and move better.