Category: News

Himalaya Yoga Valley are delighted to welcome back Sarah Moves to our Penrose Wharf studio for a not to be missed ‘Handstand Fundamentals Workshop’ on Saturday, 2nd November 2019 at 2.00-4.30pm .

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.

“I am excited to be invited back to offer my Handstand Fundamentals Workshop! My content is always evolving, as is my own practice, and I am looking forward to sharing my latest insights on Handstands with the Himalaya Community! All levels are most welcome.” – Sarah

Workshop price: €35*
*Workshop fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

Book now on the MINDBODY app,through our website www.yogacorkireland.com or call us on 021-4279696.

Yoga in the Park, one of Cork’s most popular outdoor weekly events has come to an end for another year and once again the event has been a huge success! Yoga in the Park is an award winning community initiative which is organised by the team here at Himalaya Yoga Valley Cork.

We were thrilled to hand over €16,710 to our two chosen charities Cork Simon Community and Pieta House which were the full proceeds of all the donations made over the Summer months by the yogis of Cork. €10,395 was presented to the Cork Simon Community which were the proceeds from Yoga in the Park at Fitzgerald’s Park and €6,315 to Pieta House which were the proceeds from Yoga in the Park at Regional Park Ballincollig.

Himalaya Yoga Valley was founded by expert teacher Lalit Kumar who has been practicing yoga since the age of seven at traditional schools in India. A big part of the tradition of Yoga in India is called Seva which means to give back which is why the team at Himalaya Yoga Valley are passionate about giving back to Cork through Yoga in the Park which has raised over €76,000 for local charities over the last 6 years. Yoga in the Park brings the whole community together to help those in need. It is a donation based yoga class open to all members of the community which started in Fitzgerald’s Park in 2014 to raise money for the Cork Simon Community and over the last six years €62,042 has been raised for the homeless in Cork.

Dermot Kavanagh, Director of Cork Simon Community said

“The support and commitment from Himalaya Yoga Valley and from each person who gave so generously at Yoga in the Park represents Cork at its best – a community coming together in support of people who are less fortunate. Every cent raised represents compassion and solidarity for people who are homeless and vulnerable. it is only with this kind of support from the wider community that we are able to continue to provide our services for the increasing number of people turning to us for help.”

After opening our second studio in Ballincollig in 2017, Himalaya Yoga Valley expanded Yoga in the Park to the Regional Park Ballincollig last Summer with the event now raising raising €14,715 for Pieta House. Every Saturday morning from June-September, hundreds of yoga enthusiasts and novices were stretching their hearts for charity for those in need. The event promotes well-being in Cork and has started many people off on their yoga journey.

“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. 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”.

Marion Courtney Business Manager at Himalaya Yoga Valley Cork said ‘Our whole team are passionate about yoga and wellbeing and making a difference in our local community. Our partnership with the Cork City Council, Cork Simon Community and Pieta House is so important for the success of this initiative and we are grateful to each of them, our loyal clients and the people of Cork for their continued support’. For more information on Himalaya Yoga Valley see www.yogacorkireland.com

Every Monday and Wednesday evening and all day Saturday, classes from New Beginnings Level 2 and up are themed.To keep things fresh the focus changes monthly, and to make it even better there is NO EXTRA CHARGE just use your regular pass or drop in at the usual rate to enjoy these classes.

Check out the themes for October below!

Penrose Wharf:
Monday: Twist & Flow Detox
Wednesday:Arm Balance & Inversions
Saturday: Chakras

Ballincollig:
Monday: Shoulders
Wednesday: Flow & Balance
Saturday: Sun Salutation Techniques

Kundalini Yoga is a dynamic practice and works on all the levels of the being, the physical, spiritual and the emotional.

Join Krishan in our Penrose Wharf centre this autumn/winter for a series of workshops where you will explore and deepen your Kundalini practice. These are stand alone workshops in their own right, but there will be a thread running through each workshop, which we will deepen over the course of the three Immersions.

Workshop 1
Kundalini Yoga Immersion – Meditation & Mantra
Date & Time: Saturday October 19th, 2.00pm- 5.00pm

In this Meditation & Mantra Workshop we will begin by doing some gentle yoga and Kundalini Yoga ‘Kriyas’ (a sequences of postures within a set to create specific results) to open up all the chakras and to stretch the body, so we can then move more easily into our meditation practice. We will explore some of the wealth of Kundalini Yoga mantras in this workshop.

This workshop will help to expand and stretch yourself and will ignite that spark from within, setting seeds that will grow and flourish into our future.

Workshop 2
Kundalini Yoga Immersion – Freedom & Forgiveness
Date & Time: Saturday November 23rd, 2.00pm- 5.00pm

In this workshop we will focus on freedom of movement and expression through our Kundalini Yoga practice. A deep meditation practice of forgiveness and self acceptance, kriyas to open up the chakras (energy systems) helping to release the issues which are stuck in the tissues and breath work (pranayamas) to open up to the space and to strengthen the nervous system.

Workshop 3
Kundalini Yoga Immersion- Abundant Heart
Date & Time: Saturday December 14th, 2.00pm- 5.00pm

The focus of this workshop will be on the Heart Chakra and how to live more authentically from this space. We will explore physical practices, look at abundance in all forms, do meditations and have space for discussions while cultivating strength in our chakras.

All workshops are suitable for all levels and for the complete beginner. Individual cost per workshop is €40.

Book or website, download the MINDBODY app or call us on (021) 4279696.

Secrets to a Great Night’s Sleep with Michelle A. Hardwick

Location:Penrose Wharf Centre
Date:Saturday,16th of November
Time:14:00-17:00

Unlock the secrets to a great night’s sleep and discover the key to how you can relax your body and wind down your mind in this 3 hour experiential workshop.

We sleep best when we are content.

When we feel irritated and panicked about not being able to sleep, our thoughts circle around events or plans for the following day/week. Then our brain goes into high gear and our body correspondingly tenses, making it almost impossible to fall asleep.

We begin the next day tired, weary and stressed with increased brain activity. We wonder whether we will manage or master everything that must be done and so begins a downward spiral of sleep deprivation.

Course Content:
In this 3-hour presentation, we will include sleep and breathing techniques; quick calming exercises; deep relaxation experiences as well as group discussion and feedback. There will also be a variety of basic relaxation tools shared to help improve sleep, to feel calmer, more peaceful and rested during the day.

This workshop is highly experiential, providing participants with a variety of take-home tools to help improve sleep and wellbeing.

Discover how you can relax your body and wind down your mind
Develop new ways to help you sleep better and sleep well
Learn about the right mental approach to help you sleep deeply
Experience ways to feel calmer
There will be two easy to follow, tailored relaxation experiences which will be recorded for you to listen to at night to help you re-programme your mind for sleep. When listened to regularly, these recordings can help you drift into sleep and train your mind to stay asleep.

Please note, it is important to make time each day to practice the tools shared during this workshop to integrate the skill of relaxation and get to sleep more easily. Results improve with practice.

What to bring: For your comfort – bring your own blanket and pillow; a notebook/journal and pen (if you’d like to make any notes); some drinking water in a bottle. If you have a yoga mat and wish to lie down, please feel free to bring it along with you.

What to wear: Ensure you wear warm, comfortable, loose fitting clothing and bring a pair of warm socks.

Workshop price: €49.99

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

Book your spot now on the MINDBODY app, through our website or call us on (021) 4279696.

Join Terry Oldfield & Soraya this September in Penrose Wharf for two exciting events;a meditative music concert and mindfulness and music workshop.

Terry Oldfield & Soraya “Magical Flute with Songs and Mantras for Peace
Location:Penrose Wharf
Date & Time: Saturday 28th September 4pm-6pm

An uplifting and meditative music concert.

Terry Oldfield has been enchanting fans with his soul-stirring music for over 30 years. His unique style of flute playing and musical composition touches the heart and soothes the mind. Spiritual mentor Soraya joins Terry with her moving vocals and love of ancient chant. Together they travel globally bringing songs from different cultures together to create a vibration of peace and encourage inclusivity of all as one.

Attendees will be sitting on cushions and bolsters on the floor for this intimate and meditative experience. Please contact our office directly at info@yogacorkireland.com or 021 4279696 if you require a chair for this event.*

Concert price: €25
Concert and Workshop price: €60*

Terry Oldfield & Soraya “Exploring The Sounds of Inner-Stillness
Location: Penrose Wharf
Date & Time: Sunday, 29th September 2pm-6pm

A mindfulness and music workshop.

Music goes beyond words to where the heart sings in the centre of this eternal moment.
Mindfulness enhances grounded presence with calm and clarity. Old patterns based on resistance and fear begin to fall away as a sense of inner peace arises.
Through breath, meditation, movement, mantra singing and music Soraya Saraswati and Terry Oldfield offer a nourishing day of deep peace.

Workshop price: €45
Concert and Workshop price: €60*

*If purchasing both Saturday and Sunday, use DISCOUNT CODE: TERRY19 for Workshop “Exploring the Sounds of Inner Stillness” for discounted rate.
*Workshop fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable.

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

Did you know that every Monday and Wednesday evening and all day Saturday, classes from New Beginnings Level 2 and up are themed.To keep things fresh the focus changes monthly, and to make it even better there is NO EXTRA CHARGE just use you regular pass or drop in at the usual rate to enjoy these classes.

Check out the themes for September below!

Penrose Wharf:
Monday: Shoulders
Wednesday: Healthy Hips
Saturday: Backbends

Ballincollig:
Monday: Twists
Wednesday:Hips & Hamstings
Saturday:Core

Call us on (0)21-4279696 or book online through the schedule and booking section or on the MINDBODY app.

Thank you to all our yogis for helping to celebrate our 7th Birthday at Yoga in the Park in Fitzgerald’s Park this Summer.
We had great fun lining up in a Shavasana 7 to mark this special occasion with our wonderful yoga community. Namaste!

Joanne O’Riordan recently started practicing yoga with Lalit Kumar, school founder of Himalaya Yoga Valley at our Cork City studio.

This YouTube video which can be viewed at this link is the inspirational story of her journey to yoga, a journey without limits that embodies the spirit of yoga for everybody! Joanne is a sports journalist and disability rights advocate and one of only seven people living in the world with the condition Tetra-Amelia Syndrome. Joanne was born without any limbs and her motto in life is ‘No Limbs No Limits’. Her amazing attitude to life has inspired many! In this video you will hear about Joanne’s experience of yoga since she started practicing with Lalit only 6 weeks ago and how our only limitations are the doubts we place on ourselves.

Lalit Kumar from India has been practicing yoga since the age of seven at traditional schools in the Himalayas. He has been teaching internationally for over a decade with a wealth of experience. He is a renowned teacher in the global yoga community. Lalit and the team at Himalaya Yoga Valley Cork are dedicated to improving the health, happiness and wellbeing of our clients and also our communities. The team have raised over €70,000 for Cork Simon Community and Pieta House through their Yoga in the Park project. Himalaya Yoga Valley centres in Cork City and Ballincollig are known as sanctuaries from modern day stress and places where people always leave feeling better than they arrived!

If you believe that yoga is for everybody please share this video and Joanne’s story!

To hear more from Joanne, check out the Joanne O’Riordan Podcast on redextra.ie, Apple podcasts and Spotify.

#yogaforeverybody

Media Queries
Please contact Marion Courtney on 0852544535 or by email marion@yogacorkireland.com for any media queries in relation to this news release.

To celebrate International Day of Yoga on Friday June 21st, Himalaya Yoga Valley ran a Rebel Yoga Photo Competition to shine a light on yoga in Cork and encourage the rebels of Cork to get snapping! To entice people to enter the competition the best picture entry would win a 3 Month Unlimited Yoga Membership!

Himalaya Yoga Valley teachers and staff helped to launch the competition by posing at Cork locations which included Páirc Uí Chaoimh, English Market, the Lough, St Luke’s Church, Cork Airport, the Shakey Bridge and Cork City Hall.

All people had to do to be in with a chance of winning this prize was post a photo of them doing a yoga pose at their favourite Cork landmark or place on Facebook or Instagram, tag Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre Cork and use the hashtags #himalayayogavalley #internationalyogaday #rebelyoga #corkyoga

Overall Winner: Roisin Holden
Roisin entered the competition last year and wanted to enter again this year but she broke her foot in May and was taking a break from yoga. But with the competition titled #RebelYoga she decided to give it a go anyways and set up the timer on her phone and took the photo on the deck in the back of her garden.

Rosin went to her first yoga class when she was 6 years old. Her mum already went to yoga classes and the teacher started offering children’s classes so she went for a number of years. Then she moved and didn’t go back to classes until a few years ago while living in Vietnam. There she fell back in love with yoga and the escape it provides from a busy chaotic life. Moving back to Cork last summer she was delighted to have a yoga studio like Himalaya right on her doorstep, with so many classes even when she is really busy she can find one that suits.

Exciting Masterclasses coming up with our school founder Yogacharya Lalit! These masterclasses are FREE for members and discounted for pass holders in gratitude to our wonderful loyal clients!

Explore the depth of yoga postures with yoga master and school founder Lalit Kumar. Lalit will take you through a slow and intense practice with a strong focus on alignment and use of props to achieve to most benefits from the yoga postures, physically, mentally and physiologically. This masterclass with also include pranayama.

When & Where:
Friday 21st June 6:30pm – 8pm in Ballincollig
(Suitable for students who usually attend New Beginnings Level 1 and 2 classes.)

Monday 15th July 8pm – 9:30pm in Penrose Wharf
(Suitable for students who usually attend Bridge to Peak and Peak to Power classes.)

Book now through the schedule and booking section,on the MINDBODY App or call us on 021-4279696.

Every Monday and Wednesday evening and all day Saturday, classes from New Beginnings 2 and up are themed. There is NO EXTRA CHARGE just use you regular pass or drop in at the usual rate to enjoy these classes.

Check out the themes for June below!

Penrose Wharf:
Monday: Arm Balances & Inversions
Wednesday: Hips & Hamstrings
Saturday: Flow & Balance

Ballincollig:
Monday: Core
Wednesday:Twist & Flow Detox
Saturday :Backbends

Call us on 0214279696 or book online through the schedule and booking section or on the MINDBODY app.