Anam Cara Yoga

11/06/2023

Sunday morning reflection.

There is a quiet light that shines in every heart. It draws no attention to itself though it is always secretly there. It is what illuminates our minds to see beauty, our desire to seek possibility and our hearts to love life. Without this subtle quickening our days would be empty and wearisome, and no horizon would ever awaken our longing. Our passion for life is quietly sustained from somewhere in us that is wedded to the energy and excitement of life. This shy inner light is what enables us to recognize and receive our very presence here as blessing. We enter the world as strangers who all at once become heirs to a harvest of memory, spirit, and dream that has long preceded us and will now enfold, nourish, and sustain us.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from his books, Benedictus (Europe) /
To Bless the Space Between Us (US)
Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/store

Fanore, County Clare, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

17/02/2023

Through Yoga and meditation, it is possible to gain clarity about the thresholds in your life..take your time and listen to that inner voice. Forever grateful for John’s words of wisdom.

My desire in yoga is to teach you a yoga practice which can be done at home, on a daily basis. Clarity is one of the many rewards of a daily practice. DM me for further information. I currently have spaces in my Monday morning class and one space on a Wednesday morning, both 10 - 11.15.

At any time you can ask yourself: At which threshold am I now standing? At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter? What is preventing me from crossing my next threshold? What gift would enable me to do it? A threshold is not a simple boundary; it is a frontier that divides two different territories, rhythms, and atmospheres. Indeed, it is a lovely testimony to the fullness and integrity of an experience or a stage of life that it intensifies toward the end into a real frontier that cannot be crossed without the heart being passionately engaged and woken up. At this threshold a great complexity of emotion comes alive: confusion, fear, excitement, sadness, hope. This is one of the reasons such vital crossings were always clothed in ritual. It is wise in your own life to be able to recognize and acknowledge the key thresholds: to take your time; to feel all the varieties of presence that accrue there; to listen inward with complete attention until you hear the inner voice calling you forward. The time has come to cross.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from his books: To Bless the Space Between Us (US) / Benedictus (Europe)
Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/store

Connemara Cottage Gate, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

10/02/2023

The breath is our superpower and often overlooked in yoga practice, these principles are central to everything I do both in my own practice and in my classes. I have a few spots left in my Monday morning classes and just one spot on Wednesday morning. Are you ready to learn this practice? Message me directly to discuss your needs.

The inhalation is from above as receptivity, the exhalation is from below as strength.
a. The Inhalation: expansive, lengthening, strengthening, arching
• As we breathe in, the rib cage starts to lift as the lungs fill up. Because the rib
cage is attached to the spine this causes the spine to extend and straighten or
arch slightly. As the rib cage lifts, the diaphragm moves downward creating an
expansion in the abdominal region. Because the ribcage is lifted, it has created
more space internally, the organs are not compressed and so the diaphragm has
more freedom of movement which means that the inhale overall is very deep and
complete. So the optimal inhale is: inhale into the upper chest first allowing the
ribcage to lift, then allow the abdominal area to expand as well, creating a fully
filled torso.
• Therefore, the movements that coordinate with the inhale will be: lengthening
and extending, back arches, raising the arms. In general, when the limbs move
away from the body it is done on an inhalation.
b. The Exhalation: contracting, softening, releasing, relaxing
• As the breath leaves the lungs, the rib cage starts to drop back down and the
diaphragm moves back up. This causes the belly to draw back in toward the
spine. The spine also relaxes back into its normal position. As we consciously
control the exhalation, we facilitate this drawing-in by pulling the abdominal
muscles in further as we breath out.
• The exhale movements will be: contracting, forward bends, twists, relaxing,
lowering the arms. In general, when the limbs move towards the body it is
done on an exhalation.
Mark Whitwell

24/09/2022

Looks like an interesting event. I am interested in Creative Writing and the many ways of supporting mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

'Soul Searching' is a transformational, creative writing workshop to explore your inner self, with international author Emma Heatherington.

22/12/2021

Early this morning down on the Claddagh, this once ancient fishing village is quite the Christmassy sight ✨

📌 The Claddagh, County Galway
📸 https://weloveireland.ie/dr-chaosheng-zhang-photographer/
We 💚🤍🧡 Ireland

21/12/2021

Happy Winter Soltice to all Anam Cara Yogis and my family and friend. It is a beautiful calm day here in Downpatrick away from the busyness of the Lisburn Road. Micheál has lit up the neighbourhood with his amazing Christmas lights. He adds a few more each year.

I was keen to wait on the Winter Solstice as I don’t like celebrating the Festive season too early. We have lots of Yogi plans for the new year including a yoga retreat across the border in Co. Westmeath, a new web-site, more small friend group classes and get together and a more global zoom presence.

I will continue to focus on small group classes for my peers in the 50+ age range. Please feel free to share to anyone you feel might benefit from gentle breath-centric yoga classes. 🙏 Anita

19/12/2021

Anam Cara Yoga is taking a festive break from 23rd December to Tuesday 4th January inclusive. Wishing all my Anam Cara neighbours, friends and family circles a happy, peaceful festive break. Whilst there will be no zoom or face to face classes during this period, support is always available to anyone who needs it. You are welcome to join the Camigo Challenge which I have started…30 minutes of aerobic exercise..walking, swimming, cycling, running every day to Easter. My personal challenge is to be fit to go hill-walking by the New Year.

02/12/2021

This is one of the most frequently asked questions I get…here is an answer from my teacher’s teacher.

We need to clarify something. There are no brands or styles of yoga. There is only yoga adapted to the needs of each unique person. The claim of a style is always a distortion, limit or at best a partiality of yoga. There is only one brand of yoga and it is Yoga! In April 2002 my teacher Desikachar asked all his students that they no longer use the name Viniyoga. He had previously used the word vini from the Yogasutra to describe yoga. It means "according to the situation". He never imagined that the word would be used as a brand name and even replace the word Yoga. He said "my father would turn in his grave if he knew that he was being represented by the name Viniyoga. My father was a Yoga teacher and not a teacher of a style of Yoga" said Desikachar. Further more by limiting his father's work to the Viniyoga name was legitimizing the other brands of yoga as if the principles of yoga that Krishnamacharya brought forth from the great tradition do not belong in the styles most of which derived from Krishnamacharya. He said it was the fault of western mind's habit of naming, defining & limiting that which is vast and powerful. He said that commercial exploitation of yoga was short changing the public who were being misinformed as to what yoga actually is. I was touched that he said, please do this as guru dakshina (gift to the guru). He was asking so earnestly: so I feel the need to communicate clearly his message. In summary the principles of Krishnamacharya need to be included in the brands that derived from him. This is easily done. Make it Yoga. Here is his letter.

"Dear Friends,
When I introduced the concept of viniyoga in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I never imagined that it will replace the word “Yoga”.
I am extremely disappointed with the situation today, where this has become the case and caused so much distortion and confusion. Hence I request you to either delete the word Viniyoga to represent my teacher’s teaching, or remove my father’s and my name from your communications. This is the least you can do for me, as a guru dakshina.
Please feel free to forward this to other students whose email addresses I don’t have.
With Best Wishes
TKV Desikachar"

11/06/2021

These are the principles that guide my personal and teaching practices.

22/03/2021

Anam Cara Yoga will close for Easter break for much needed recuperation from 1st April to 11th April inclusive. Connecting to nature...Strength receiving!

16/03/2021

My favourite..Beannacht inspired my yoga journey and I return to it regularity...nourishment, clarity, fluency and love.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
Wind work these words
Of love around you,
An invisible cloak
To mind your life.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from 'Beannacht' in his books: Benedictus (Europe) / To Bless the Space Between Us (US)
Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/store

County Clare, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

13/03/2021

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=262993718761118&id=110840347309790

03/03/2021

I am enjoying the tranquillity of nature in Ireland, connecting to the earth and reminding myself that you don't need a Yoga Studio to nurture your inner self.

You like me might be nurturing your inner self in your "special place".

I am taking bookings for the next six week block of zoom yoga classes.

The classes are Mondays and Wednesdays 10am to 11.15am.

Everyone welcome..particularly the 50 plus age group.

27/02/2021

This speaks tome at the moment

27/02/2021

Our teachers teacher...words of wisdom