We’re Back! Yoga in Greystones; an Elemental Term
Hello there!
I am reaching out to you with tentative excitement today, as it's time to spread the word that yoga is back at Thrive Greystones! We have a new five week term of Sunday Hatha Flow (5pm) and Soft Stretch (6:30pm) classes beginning next week August 30th, and I would love so much to see you there.
I've been away traveling for nearly an entire month, living on a shoestring and out of my orange backpack. Sometimes the most nourishing moments evolve from stripping away familiar comforts...and oh, was I nourished. I spent a week in blessed community without my phone (!) at Plum Village in France, embarked upon the Camino Del Norte in Northern Spain on a quest to view the eclipse in Santiago de Compostela, and satisfied my near constant desire to be around water with several days surfing in Portugal ~ where I was humbled and inspired by feisty waves and crowded line ups.
I feel refreshed, whole hearted, a little scared, and courageous. I am so excited to be back :)
Our term philosophy theme this time around will be a return to basics, as we'll explore the five sacred elements within each week's Sunday practices ~ it will be a spiralling inward, and a chance to really check in with the areas of your life, mind, and body that you think could benefit from some more love and compassion. We will move, sweat, allow, forgive, and create shift for new beginnings.
If you'd like to learn more details about my teaching style and the new Sunday yoga series beginning next week, you can have a quick peek at the ‘term’ tab above here in the website, or you can simply keep on reading :)
When I was in Plum Village (a Buddhist monastery set up by the incredible teacher and activist Thich Nhat Hanh) we sang the strangest, silliest songs ~ songs that went like: 'every little cell in my body is happy, every little cell in my body is free...' ~ I absolutely hated it at first. It felt like adult summer camp! Cheesy dance moves badly taught by the Buddhist nuns, out of tune adult voices trying awkwardly to learn the words and wishing they were anywhere else, insecure melody lines and lyrics like: 'Breathing in, I have arrived. Breathing out, I am home...'
By day four of the retreat we were all singing and dancing with the enthusiasm of toddlers. Now I have the cheesy lyrics posted to my bedroom wall. I wake up singing some of the songs, smiling. Is that not so weird? It taught me a lot about myself, and about joy. I realised that most of what I feel and believe is wrong. It’s just conditioned resistance. What a relief! To know that when I let things be as they are, and continue to show up, a lightness can lift my heart. And for that moment I'm brand new, and free.
I swear, I'm actually fairly down to earth in person.
Anyway! Each yoga class this term follows on from the week before, with progressional sequences and a layering of philosophical 'food for thought' offered both in class and via this email. I'm excited to incorporate more mindfulness and meditation into class after all I've learned from Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings at Plum, although we'll certainly still be moving and breathing! You can come to class for alone time, you can come to make friends, you can come to breathe and rest, you can come to dance and sweat ~ it is up to you. My job is to offer a safe space for you to come as you are; to connect, to be present, and to find your unique alignment.
A little practical detail if you're relatively new: The earlier 5pm Hatha Sunday class is ideal if you're looking for breath work, alignment, easy to follow cues and movement with elements of heat, balance, and strength. The later 6:30pm Soft Stretch class is perfect if you're looking for a more slow and meditative class that focuses on gentle yoga, stretching, and relaxation. Both classes are open to beginners and designed for all levels of practitioner. As always, the five week term is €75, and the drop-in option is €17 :) Payable by revolut link, debit card, or cash :)
If you would like to save your space for the upcoming term or inquire about drop in classes, please send me a message here or on 0834585714 :) I will be in touch again next week with more information on our new term philosophy theme; offering thoughts, teachings, and practices that may help you to deepen your wellbeing and consider taking mindfulness off your mat and into your life.
Today I'm flying low and I'm
not saying a word.
I'm letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.
The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten.
And so forth.
But I'm taking the day off.
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though really I'm traveling
a terrific distance.
Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.
Mary Oliver
All my love
Le grá agus buíochas
Macha
