Fill your heart with Ireland’s yoga and mindfulness
With stunning landscapes, delicious healthy local foods and inspiring instructors, Ireland is home to some of the best yoga retreats and wellness escapes anywhere in the world.
But while everyone stays on social lockdown, creative Irish yogis, wellness and mindfulness specialists have moved to the online world to continue to encourage regular exercise routines and support positive mental health.
With many offering free and low-cost classes and services, you can hook up with a host of Irish yoga and mindfulness teachers from all over the country.
Allihies,Slieve Miskish Mountains, Beara, Co. Cork
You and your yoga practice will be in the best of hands with Flow Studio, normally based in Belfast’s trendy Cathedral Quarter. The studio has now switched to providing live online classes that guide you through breath-centred flows and help you navigate the new normal. Cultivate your strength, focus and peace from the inside out and explore all that you can be from the comfort of your home.
In County Cork along the celebrated Wild Atlantic Way several practitioners are hosting online yoga classes. Among them is Emer Harrington, who is offering interactive classes where everyone can see and hear each other as they take part at home. Some of her Yoga with Emer classes are by donation and some are free.
Or try Cork Yoga with Claire, who teaches live four times a week and on demand. Like other instructors, Claire Dunniece uses the popular Zoom video conferencing app and has set it up to be as easy as possible.
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, The Lodge, Galway, morning yoga
To experience the Celtic vibes of Ireland’s Ancient East, try the membership-based Yoga Sacred Ireland. Its real-world County Wicklow studio has been described as one of the most beautiful in Ireland; online there are soulful yoga classes with easy to follow asanas that capture the spiritual energy of sacred Ireland.
Yoga Ireland in County Kildare, home of Ireland’s world-famous horse-racing and thoroughbred breeding industry, has also gone online to offer live classes and one-to-one sessions for all levels. Run by Catriona Mc Cormack, reiki master and yoga teacher for over 26 years, they include free sessions for kids and older people.
For workouts just for the mind, hook up with the free daily meditations offered by Justin Caffrey, the County Wicklow-based elite mindset coach and master in meditation. Start your day with Justin on Instagram live at 7.00 am and give yourself 25 minutes to connect to your body and find a grounding before stepping into your day.
We all relax in different ways and for many golf is a great way to work out your frustrations.
Our three-time major championship winner and current Ryder Cup captain Pádraig Harrington has just the advice you need.
Pádraig has been spending more time than usual at his Dublin home and has become quite the twitter superstar as he offers tips to an audience of hundreds of thousands worldwide.
So get yourself out into the garden and check out Padraig’s videos.
Glendalough, Ireland’s Ancient East
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