Photos from Tibetan Heart Yoga Summer 2005 and a seperate Ashtanga week

June 2005 we had a great week of Buddhist teachings with Lama Brian Smith and Tibetan Heart yoga classes with Kimberly.

And as usual, as well as the great classes at the centre we also get out for trips into the Burren.

One of the nice off the beaten track places which we visit is the Burren Perfumery which makes their own perfumes, soaps, herbal teas and other treats which are lovely to buy as a present to bring back home.

There is also a tea room which serves organic salads, soups and delicious cakes to go with the tea, coffee or apple juice.

And also a short film on the Burren, its landscape, flora and fauna.



And after viewing the Perfumery its nice to sit outside, smell the nice fragrances and order a small snack.



And then its time to climb another hill beside the Atlantic ocean.

These hills are quite easy to climb and Dave judges the fitness of the group so that the chosen walk is suitable for all.



Sometimes the group splits into two smaller groups, and some people take the more challanging climb while some others either walk along one of the level green tracks, or some even just chill out on the rocks taking in the sunshine and enjoying the views.



The limestone rock formations are very unique to this part of Ireland and its intriguing to wonder whjo else walks these rocks before us.



Its always a good idea to bring a camera and as these walks are often quite easy going there is plenty of time to take in the surroundings and to take some photos to show friends back home.



And Dave knows many off the beaten track lovely cafes and restuarants where we stop for lunch or even for a coffee and a cake.

Noel explains to Brian that the Shannon river holds no fear for he who can walk on the water.... or words to that effect ;-)



And there are always a few who want to go for a swim in Lough Bunny which is a beautiful lake 4 miles from the centre.

The water is quite shallow and heats up during the summer.



Its hard to believe that we have this beautiful lake all to ourselves. With its beautiful clear water, the Burren hills in the background and only the sound of the birds in the background, this spot is often well visited during the week.

And this time Dave is among the group who have decided to cool off before returning to the centre for another of Paddi's amazing vegetarian feasts.



This is Lorraines first yoga course and she is enjoying the experience and also making new friends as the week progresses.



Just one last look at our beautiful paradise location.



Next day, Dave takes the group on a shorter easier walk which is located on the opposite side of the hill to the centre.

This is a very old place of pilgrimage, where Saint Coleman spend 15 years meditating in a cave during the 8th Century.



As we enter the wooded surroundings of the cave, one senses a beautiful stillness, that is very clear in energies. Even those who would not be so familiar with noticing the energy of particular locations, often remark of the tranquil peacefullness of the area.



The well is named after Coleman and is said to have curative properties particularily for eye ailments.

As the old ledgends explain, if one has an eye problem, one should hang a small piece of material off the tree beside the well. As the material wears away over time, the eye condition also disappears.



The green shafts of light that shine through the trees enhance this very special beautiful place. One could be forgiven to think this was a land of the Hobbits or more likely a place frequented by leaprecauns.



There is beautiful moss and lichens growing on the tree trunks and one feels like one is in a fairytale location.



Anni Dolma and her daughter Pearl crouch down in the cave where Coleman spent 15 years.

Its hard to belive how before the times of gas stoves, or tins of beans how someone could have survived here for so long.



I wonder what its like sleeping here?



Hey, how many people can we fit in there?



And then a nice visit to the Burren Perfumery where we eat a light lunch.



And as part of the Tibetan Heart Yoga classes the next morning the day starts with meditation at 7:30 am



This is followed by a Tibetan Heart Yoga asana class from 8:15 - 9:45 am



Each day the beginners postures improve while those more advanced practitioners work with getting in touch with inner energies and being present within the moment while also improving the postures subtly.



This class is a medium challenge and one feels energised and refreshed afterwards.



This class is a Tibetan Heart yoga class and we will have another week during June 2006.

Part of this week also includes an examination of Patanjali's yoga sutras from a Buddhist point of view. Full details are available by clicking on the course in the window on the left side of the screen.



A full list of all courses for the next few months is listed under 'courses and classes' on the top menu bar, and by clicking 'calendar of courses'



Beautiful feeling to lie down and allow the body to relax while maintaining mindfullness.



And the following week its time for another group to experience some excellent yoga tuition and also enjoy the outdoors of the Burren.

This next week is Ashtanga and Partner yoga with the 2 David's from Toronto.



The group set off on a climb up Black head which overlooks the Atlantic and the Aran Islands.



This group is quite fit, and the walk has a fairly steady pace.



It takes about 40 minutes to reach the old stone fort.



As usual, we have many visitors from overseas, and this course has over half the participants from different parts of Europe and also the States.



But no matter what country one comes from, the thickness of these walls and the location on the edge of a steep incline overlooking the Atlantic is spectacalor.



And after we climb back down we have earned our rest so we sit and chat in a secluded tea gardens in Ballyvaughan.



Its amazing how time just slips by when one is in such good company in these surroundings.

Most people come on these courses on their own, and often make friends that meet up after the courses are over.



And there is always someone who emerges as a great storyteller within the group.

Its the quality of the yoga tuition and the whole outdoor aspect and the amazing vegetarian food that makes a course at the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre so unlike the usual yoga courses where one is often left to oneself outside the yoga classes.



Some course participants have busy lives travelling all over the world, and not one has been left un-touched by the courses here in the Burren.



One of the sea inlets on the road back to Kinvara.



And the blackboard says "Hooker trips " and some information about Mehall the skipper.

What's so funny about hookers?



After a brief chat we Mehall we decide on the spur of the moment to hire his services and be taken out inot the bay.



"Great, i get a chance to rest my legs and take in the beauty of the Burren from an old traditional sailing boat."



Waiting for the last few to climb aboard.



As we sail out into the bay, the feeling of adventure rears its head again today.



A few of us help out with the ropes as the main sail is raised while out on the water.



And as usual on our adventures on the Burren Yoga courses the spirits are high and the whole experience is a joy for the soul.



Hey where did that wind come from.

We were quite level a few minutes ago..... now we need to hold on ;-)



And under Mehall's skilled eye, we are skillfully sailed out the bay past the basking seals and the mussel rafts.



Next day we decided to take a rest from the sun for a while and visited the Ailawee caves which boast an ancient bear's sleeping place.



Some of the tunnels which were formed by old rivers running through the rocks millions of years ago are quite narrow and one needs to be careful of one's head in places.



Other parts of the passageways are quite wide.



The whole escorted trip through the caves takes about 40 minutes.



And then its back up on the hiils to enjoy the fresh air and to stretch our legs.



At the top of Abbey hill is a nicely shaped kearn of stones marking the highest point.



And the views from this point have to be seen to be believed.

Some of them can be seen at The Burren activities