Ashtanga week June 2007 with Richard Spahn

One of the most heard comments on our week long courses is

"Wow.... i cannot believe how much we have done today !
Its like we have packed a whole weekend into today....
Its like we have been here for 2 weeks instead of 7 days ! "

So why do people say that about the 7 day courses here at the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre ?

Well i guess the best way to give you an idea.... if you have never been here for a 7 day course.... is to give you a report on the 7 day ashtanga course in June 2007 with Richard Spahn.

Well..... it all began on the Friday night when our course participants arrived.

We had

• Vicky who flew in from the UK
• Yvonne who arrived by public transport
• Gemma by car from Dublin
• Margaret by car from Dublin
• Pamela and Mark from Lucan
• Cornelia who flew in from Germany
• Sinead by car from Dublin
• Mary Jo from Jersey... originally from Ireland ;-)
• Tara and Marc Shankill
• Sonja from Switzerland
• Declan from Roscommon
• and of course Richard Spahn who flew in from France

and people began arriving Thursday evening to avail of cheaper air-fares..... and most had arrived by Friday 7 pm when we were served a beautiful vegetarian meal by Paddi the chef who used to run Seventh Heaven restaurant in Galway city for over 12 years.

Dinner was a tortella wrap Vegetarian Burrito with different types of salads including freshly sprouted aduki beans, mung beans and alfa alfa sprouts. Dessert was a healthy fresh fruit salad with natural yogurt with cinnamon and honey.

And then a selection of herbal teas, caffene free teas, and also real coffee or real tea for those 'who just need it' ... or so i have been told ;-)

And after dinner people just chilled out in the yoga centre chatting in the kitchen after dinner, and also upstairs in the lounge which over-looks the Burren hills.

This particular course Ashtanga with Richard Spahn has the least amount of yoga classes during the day, and is much more of a holiday feel than many other courses.

Each course has different amounts of yoga classes and it is important to check the description of the course on the website, so that you select the course which is thr right match for you.

Some courses have 2 classes meditation each day and 1 or 2 physical yoga classes each day, while others have only 1 yoga class per day. If you click on any course, it will detail the timetable for that course.

On saturady morning we had our first Ashtanga class with Richard Spahn at 8.30 to 10.30 am.

The group were a very mixed group and included a couple of people who had not practiced yoga before, a few who had practiced some ashtanga, a few very experienced people including two yoga teachers attending the course.

And Richard who is an expert teacher with over 15 years teaching Ashtanga was able to tune into each person, see where they were at, and give them the right level of guidance and encouragement to help them further into their practice.

A few people on the course were amazed at how Richard was able to guage each person, and give everyone just the right amount of attention to guide them along without interferring with anyone who was paracticing that particular aspect or posture at the right level for themselves at that moment in time.

After the class, we had breakfast, washed up and tidied the kitchen and then set out in 4 cars to visit the Burren National Park.

The day was a quite misty with a little rain, so we brough walking boots, raingear, and a few Euros for lunch whose destination was still a surprise.

The Burren National Part is about 10 minutes drive from the centre, and as we arrived we all saw the sign reminding us not to disturb any of the rocks or pick the wild burren flowers which make this location a protected unique land-scape which many people describe as lunar... or at least reminding them of another planet.

We began our walk up one of the Burren hills in the park and towards the top of Eagles rock.

As we began to climb, two of our group had a little difficulty with the climb, and Dave brought them back on a level track which leads to the hermit's cave... where Saint Coleman spent 15 years meditating in the 9th Century.

And the rest of the group headed towards the top of the hill which took about 30 minutes to reach the top.

At the top is a large plateau and we continued our walk for a couple of miles as far as the huge pile of stones marking the highest most place.... known as a kearn.

The 360 degree views were spectacalour.....

We stayed there for a while feasting our eyes on the view and it was like food for the soul. To be standing on this uninhabited beautiful plataue on the west coast of Ireland, overlooking Galway bay and seeing Lough Corrib lake system in the distance and the Connemara hills in the distance. And then out to the left of Galway bay to the Atlantic ocean.

Breath-taking. I can't put this into words.

And finally we began our leisurly walk back to the cars and drove about 10 minutes into the heart of the Burren to the Burren perfumery where we had lunch about 2.00 pm.

Before we had lunch we watched a short 15 minute film about the Burren and its history and natural wild flowers and fauna. Followed by a beautiful simple lunch, a walk around the herb garden, a few people buying and sampling the home made fragrances and perfumes and herbal teas.

After chatting and having a laugh we returned to the yoga centre about 4 pm and some eople went on short walks in the countryside around the centre and some put their feet up and had a nice rest at the centre.



6.30 pm Paddi called us to the homely kitchen for another vegetarian feast.



After cleaning up in the kitchen about 9 pm we went for a short drive to New Quay which has a nice small beach and a walk by the sea on big flat flagstones.... giving it the name "The Flaggy Shore".

The light on the west coast of Ireland is impossible to describe....



it is ever changing with a soft light partly produced by the sun setting over Galway bay and the Atlantic and also a reflection of the light from the sea and ever changing clouds and blue skies.



There is a feeling a bit like a childhood adventure...



When one steps out of one's everyday surroundings, and walks by the sea in the evening.



Anyhow as we walked along the sea shore at 10 pm, many could not believe that this was only the first day of the course.....



what else had the week in store ???

A good sound night's sleep at the comfortable Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre where the only sound is that of the birds or the wind... and the odd passing car every hour or so.

hmmmmmm ...... feels like home already ;-)
.... or where i wish home could be...

Sunday 8.30 am to 10.30 another amazing ashtanga class with Richard Spahn.

We have no photos from the ashtanga classes as we did not want to intrude on the special atmosphere setup by Richard during the classes.

Having said that, if you check the photo gallery, you will see many photos of other yoga classes on other courses, so you can see the beautifil yoga room, flooded with natural light and timber floors.

After breakfast we drove a little further, past Ballyvaughan and out of Galway bay to Black Head which is the opening of the bay into the wider Atlantic.



We parked the cars and climbed up the rocky hill face. Again the group split into two, and a few people took it easy and ambled along the rocky cliff face which looked down onto the Atlantic.... and before long we sat down in the sun... listening to the sound of the ocean lapping in at the foot of the rocky cliff face.



The other part of the group climbed up for about 40 minutes to reach an ancient ruin of a stone fort.



It was great to be able to chat to Richard outside the classes and also to have a laugh at the same time.



The informal atmosphere at the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre makes it very easy to meet world class yoga teachers and to spend all day with them.... not just in a class room situation.



And the views are just beautiful.... such fresh clean air straight in from the Atlantic... full of charged ions...



After chilling out inside the walls of the fort, the group made its way back down to the cars.



Many people remarked on the spectacalour beauty of the landscape, and said that it was very unique and beautiful....



One person said that they often heard visitirs to Ireland saying that Connemara and the Burren were two of the most beautiful places on earth they had seen.... and now they were beginning to see that these visitors to Ireland had been 'raving about'.



One member of ther group Declan had to return home in order to go to work on Monday so we bade him farewell after the hill walk.

Then we drove a little distance to the Holywell Italian cafe and ordered prawns, salads, home-made icream, amazinhg cappinchinos and did i see a glass of red wine ;-) ?



Hey am i seeing things.... or are they nudey lama's ???

After our light lunch we went to Fanore beach and walked along by the sea.



Its easy to make new friends in this easy going atmosphere and many people stay in contact years after meeting on these courses.





Some of us went paddling in the cold water....



and watched some of the surfers who danced on the waves while beginners paddled like mad trying to catch the smaller waves close to the shore.



After being re-freshed by the gentle sea breeze we returned to the centre and had a short rest before beiung called by Paddi for our next vegetarian feast.



By now, the group were beginning to get very used to this feeling of adventure.... amazing yoga classes.... great friendly atmosphere... well organised outings, places to eat which were tucked away from the usual tourists places and of course the outstanding feasts prepared by Paddi.



Today's dinner consisted of smoked tofu and roasted vegetable kebabs with a peanut satay sauce, more different salad dishes including grated fresh beetroot mixed with apple and coconut.... and many more.

After dinner most people chilled at the centre while a few went out for walks.

We setup a small DVD screen and watched a few episodes of Father Ted in the lounge upstairs. Father Ted was filmed in the Burren and as well as having a great laugh... it was nice to see some of the places we had visited already.

Monday 8.30 - 10.30 am another amazing Ashtanga class.

And at 11.00 Laura arrived to give massages in the lounge upstairs.

Those who had massages pending chilled out at the centre, while others went into Kinvara village,



which is a very picturesque village on Galway bay....



while some back to the Perfumery while others went for walks.



After another amazing feast by Paddi a few people went in to Galway city which is about 40 minutes drive from the centre, to attend a buddhist talk by a Tibetan lama Ringu Tulku.

After the talk, we walked around the streets of Galway and marvelled by the quality of the street buskers who ranged from a full on electric guitar and full kit drummer belting out Led Zepplin and many other tunes.... but all in a self improvised fashion with amazing prefessionalism.... then the big group of Salsa drummers.... then the pub with irish traditional music.... the fire dancer on the street..... hey.... the rest of the country don't know what you are missing.

If i ever had to live in a city again... it would have to be Galway !!!

And then we drove back home and crept into the yoga centre before mid-night so as not to wake anyone else.



Tuesday 8.30 - 10.30 am another amazing Ashtanga class.

And while some had massages, other went for a hill climb up Mulloughmore hill.



This is a very unusual shaped hill with a lake at its base.





It is the place where the county council tried to build an interpretive centre for the Burren about 10 years ago...



but luckily were stopped by concerned residents and lovers of the unspoilt nature of the Burren.



It feels great walking on this landscape... unchaged for many thousands of years... and which once was the bed of the sea 250,000,000 years ago...



The beauty of uniqueness of this special location has to be felt... and cannot be captured by a photo..



But it is so beautiful it is difficult not to take a few more shots...



Today this hill and its surrounding beauty are still cloaked in silence with very few people visiting....



the wild goats climbing the hills, wild Burren flowers in abundance and no tour buses in sight.



The contrast of the fluffy couds, blue skies and Burren rock is breathtaking...



The silence and un-inhabited nature of this magical place brings a smile to one's heart.



There is no need to 'do anything' to one's mind or one's being .....



the natural beauty 'speaks' to our very nature and soul... bringing a feeling of wellness and peace, and a smile which seems to pervade out very being.



And helps one feel on top of the world...



And to add to the surreal feeling... we passed Father Ted's house on the way....



and of course had to stop to take some photos ;-)



and some more ...



After lunch we went back to the centre for a Yoga Theory class with Richard in the afternoon.

This was a great opportunity to hear about yoga from someone who spends many months in india each year and who has spent many years eating, living and practicing yoga. And also who has met many great yogis in India over the years.

And great to be able to ask Richard questions in this small friendly informal group.

Dinner was cashew nut roast with homemade spicy tomatoe sauce, a new range of salads, cous cous, and much more.

Today we accidently heard it was Gemma's birthday, so Paddi prepared her a cake which we surprised her with after dinner.

It was great to see the surprise in her eyes, and also for us all to celebrate her birthday in this great friendly atmosphere.

As Gemma said "This is really special... and really means a lot to me .... thank you all.... "

And after dinner Dave led a breathwork and relaxation Yoga Nidra which helped everyone drift ever further into blissful netherland ;-)

Wednesday 8.30 - 10.30 am another amazing Ashtanga class.



Glorious sunshine meant that some of went to Fanore beach and lazed in the sun for a few hours.



Where would one want to be other than here ???



Swimming in June in Ireland.... are we mad ???



This is one way to feel alive !!!!



And we watched as Mary Jo swam way out to sea



Does it get better than this?



A few people in the group did not enjoy sunshine, so they went to the forrest which is about 4 miles from the centre,



and explored the meandering paths which have led 3 seperate groups to get lost over the years.



This time, luckily Richard looked after them and led them to a secluded lake in the forrest.



This area was frequented by Lady Gregory in tomes past, and also by W.B. Yeats... where he write the 'swans of coole...".

Thursday 8.30 - 10.30 am another amazing Ashtanga class.

Another very sunny day, and as some people had received a little too much sun the previous day, a group concensus... if it could be called that.... was reached after about 1 hour ;-) and most of us went to the Forrest where Richard had explored the day before.



And then we went to the Gallery Cafe in Gort where we had lunch is this quaint and friendly laid-back cafe.



More cappichinos.....

And back for another yoga class in ther afternoon with Richard...

Another vegetarian feast and then most of us went to watch the firely sunset at the Flaggy shore which overlooks Galway bay.

Hey do you need to call home ??



And then back to Gort to the gallery cafe where there was a singer song writer's night.

Some great talent, including Elvis... who really thought he was....

"A gem of a find in the west of Ireland"

There is a lot of musical talent in these parts...



Friday 8.30 - 10.30 am another amazing Ashtanga class.

And after breakfast... ok all dreams come to an end.... but was this really a dream.....

were these new people i had met really going to contact me next month.... ?

Life is good !

Hare OM

...... and a lovely email from Cornelia who was on the course....

Hi Dave!

So I´m back home, unpacking and getting ready for going back to work tomorrow.

Thanks again for making everything such a beautiful, relaxing and inspiring experience!

My expectations were high, but being there was even better than I had imagined. Everything was simply extraordinary: the course itself, the excursions & walks in the Burren, the food, the people, the center itself, the massage …

I have learned so much and relaxed so well – I feel like I´d been on a three week holiday rather than a one week yoga course.

The course itself was very challenging physically, but even so I found my strength, flexibility and breathing increase with each day and stress levels go down. It was amazing to see the others´ faces radiate with concentration and happiness too as the week progressed. Richard is one of the best teachers I´ve ever had (not just yoga). He just knows how to help you push (shanti, shanti!) beyond your present limitations and how to unveil the potential of each participant, building up abilities and confidence within just one week. He is so knowledgeable, experienced and passionate about yoga that his enthusiasm soon rubs off on everyone - he is really inspiring.

He gave us also very good advice on how to incorporate what we have learned as a yoga routine into our everyday lives. The course is definitely a phantastic base with long-term benefits for a regular yoga practise. Thank you so much ­– I am looking forward to learning more next time I come!

The food that Patti cooks is so delicious! I´ve been a vegetarian for nearly 15 years now, but I must say she´s opened my eyes again for just how exciting vegetarian cooking can be. I´ve never been pampered in such a healthy way!

The walks in the Burren were great. The landscape is so beautiful – the quietness and majesty of the hills, the fresh greens in between, the hundred different blues of the sea – breathtaking! And Dave, you really know the nicest nooks and places for every weather condition and taste!

The center provides the perfect place for doing yoga and finding rest and relaxation. Beautifully planned and decorated, emitting a rare feeling of peacefulness and "good vibes", I felt home immediately. My room was really sweet – colourful walls, a nice view and even a hand carved bed – I loved it.

So, thanks again, Dave, for all the hard work and love that you put into everything!

I will definitely come back. If I´d change one thing, I´d do more of your relaxation classes in the evenings – the one you did was excellent.

Keep me updated on your programme. I´m also looking forward to you emailing out everyone´s addresses – our group was such a great bunch of nice people!

And next time you come to Germany, why don´t you visit me in Schwetzingen? ;-)

I look forward to hearing from you!

Best regards, Cornelia

"and it is emails like these that make's me appreciate the hard work that goes into running the courses and the centre are well worth it !!!

Love to all",
Dave