We are excited to be running our first Masterclass of the year with our school founder Lalit. These Masterclasses are FREE for Members on 3 & 6 month unlimited passes, half price for those on class passes and €20 drop in. Be sure to book your place as spots are limited!
Every Monday and Wednesday evening and all day Saturday our New Beginnings Level 2 and Bridge to Peak classes are themed! To keep things fresh the themes change each month. Check out the December themes below!
December Themes
Penrose Wharf
Monday: Hips & Hamstrings
Wednesday: Twists
Saturday: Shoulders (Mobility &Stability)
Ballincollig
Monday: Sun Salutation Techniques
Wednesday: Backbends
Saturday: Arm Balances & Inversions
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.
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
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 our wonderful team at our sister centre Himalaya Yoga Valley Goa India for sun, sand, sea, amazing food and culture and of course- yoga in it’s birthplace with our school founder Yogacharya Lalit. This retreat is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional practices with an Indian master teacher in this beautiful location.We take you on an unforgettable journey of a lifetime without the hassle or stress that can sometimes come with travelling to exotic locations.It’s the perfect 10 Day escape-spaces for February 26- 7 March 2019 are filling fast so get in touch now to book your place. We can’t wait to welcome you!
For more information, visit our website: https://yogagoaindia.com/yoga-retreats/
This Saturday, 24th November from 14.00 until 16.00 our Penrose Wharf Centre will play host to the much anticipated ‘Full Moon Yin Yoga Melt’ with Lisa Keating.
In this workshop you will enjoy a sense of surrender in a series of gently held Yin Yoga postures. Soothing music, inspirational theme and aromatherapy, peel away all that does not serve. We soften into a state of ease and target the deeper Yin tissue, facia, ligaments, connective tissue which concentrate in our joints.
Yin Yoga practice stimulates the body’s energy channels (meridians) bringing balance to the vital organs, improving flexibility and joint mobility.
We realise how calm and balanced both mind and body feel when we practice letting go of worry, if only for a moment, it is enough!
Please note that workshops fill quickly and spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment! Please book online at www.yogacorkireland.com, the MindBody app, email: info@yogacorkireland.com or call 021 427 9696.
Workshop price: €25*
*Workshop fee is transferable if cancelled at least 24h beforehand, but non-refundable
Join expert practitioner and Level 2 Authorized KPJAYI teacher Tashi Dawa for her much anticipated return to Himalaya Yoga Valley!
Tashi is a KPJAYI Authorised level 2 Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher whose objective is to lead each student to develop and adore their yoga as a self-practice.Currently she teaches Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga for beginners and Embodied Mindfulness on some of the most successful yoga retreats in Europe. She is the resident yoga teacher at the highly celebrated Kaliyoga Retreats in Italy and a regular guest teacher at the acclaimed Vale de Moses retreat in Portugal and the stunning Kadermo Retreat in Finland. Tashi is a featured teacher online at Ekhart Yoga.
Workshops will take place in our Penrose Wharf Centre Friday October 26th-Saturday October 27th. Please see below details:
“Yoga as a Life Practice” with Tashi Dawa
Finding Home Base
Open to all levels
Friday, 26th October
7.30-9.30pm
“Yoga as a Life Practice” with Tashi Dawa
Finding Sukha as Mobility
Open to all levels
Saturday, 27th October
10.00-13.00
“Yoga as a Life Practice” with Tashi Dawa Finding Sthira as Stability
Suitable for Improvers (Level 2)
Saturday, 27th October
14.00-17.00
Please note that workshops fill quickly and spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment! Payment essential to reserve a space for these workshops.
*Workshop fees are transferable and non-refundable.
Please book online at www.yogacorkireland.com, the MindBody app, email: info@yogacorkireland.com or call 021 427 9696.
Our team members Anca Erena and Hazel O’Sullivan (pictured) were both absolutely thrilled to accept our award for the Best Use of Digital Marketing for the Greater Good Award at the Cork Digital Marketing Awards which took place in the Rochestown Park Hotel last Friday Night (September 28th) .This is our second year in a row as winners for our efforts with Yoga in the Park Cork and we would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who rolled out a mat over the summer, teachers and students. This is your win too! Go Team Himalaya!
Himalaya Yoga Valley in partnership with the Cork City Council will be hosting ‘Yoga for a Healthy Mind’ on the evening of Wednesday October 10th to support World Mental Health Day.
This already booked out event being organised to promote mental and emotional wellbeing will take place in the beautiful setting of the Millennium Hall in Cork City Hall and will be in aid of Pieta House. The event will include a Yoga for Joy class led by Lisa Fahy, Senior Teacher at Himalaya Yoga Valley which will be sequenced specifically to guide participants though the real benefits that Yoga can have for managing and improving mental health. The night will also include a short talk from Mental Health expert Pat Dermody from the Hazelton Clinic entitled ‘ “5 Habits for a Healthy Mind”.
This event forms part of a global initiative run by Himalaya Yoga Valley, alongside our graduate teachers and their students from around the globe will come together to actively promote yoga as a path for mental wellness. Free classes will be held on 10th October in over 10 different countries including UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Germany and Abu Dhabi. These Yoga for a Healthy Mind classes will promote the benefits of yoga for mental health, and each class will be connected with a local mental health charity to raise money for them by participant donation.
The 10th October World Mental Health Day is observed annually around the world, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilising efforts in support of mental health. The Theme for 2018 is Youth in a Changing World so in keeping with the theme in Cork this year Himalaya Yoga Valley will also be running free yoga classes at St. Aloysius School in Cork City on October 10th.
World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity for us all to come together as a community and raise awareness of mental health. We are delighted to have the support of the Cork City Council with this event which we hope will highlight the incredible benefits yoga can have on mental health while also promoting awareness of the importance of mental health overall. The event will also launch our new Yoga for Joy class which will commence on Saturday October 13th at our Penrose Wharf Studio. This weekly class will also be a donation based class in aid of Pieta House which will allow us to continue to support the great work that they do. We can’t wait for you to join us!
Our programme of specialised classes have kicked off in our Ballincollig Studio! Sign up today:)
Monday July 30th is International Day of Friendship and what better way to celebrate than sharing your love of yoga with a friend! From Monday July 30th to Saturday August 4th clients can bring a friend for FREE to our Ballincollig studio which is celebrating its one year anniversary! Classes must be pre-booked by emailing info@yogacorkireland.com