1 Week residential Iyengar workshop Christmas Yoga vacation holiday retreat December 2003
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Christmas yoga retreatPre 2005 information on this page.
Please click link above for up to date information
Step back in Time
to a Yoga centre situated in the remote unspoilt Burren hills of Galway and Clare.
Renew your senses, refresh your mind and emerse yourself in a Yogic environment for 7 days.
A Step into a healthful, cleansing, centering, energising vacation with the best of Iyengar teachers Kevin Gardiner. Failte go Eire.
IYENGAR YOGA WORKSHOP IN IRELAND 
December 27th 2002 - January 3rd 2004
with KEVIN GARDINER Quality workshop with maximum of 15 participants. Plenty of individual attention.
Costs
1 week course including accommodation and meals 600 Euro
Booking on 00-353-91-637680 Click here to
Join our mailing listClick here to read sample Newsletter
Newsletter April You must have some prior Yoga experience and the course is suitable for mixed levels of abilities. At the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre, Kinvara, Co. Galway, Ireland
Fundamentals of Iyengar Yoga
The fundamentals of Iyengar Yoga are based on the creation and
observation of a strong and accurate base of action. The practice of
asana can then develop and cultivate freedom at the deepest organic and
nervine levels. It is the blend of action and obsevation, sensitivity and
precision.
In his teaching of Iyengar Yoga, Kevin connects these priciples of
action throughout the full range of postures.
Students are encouraged and challenged to refine and balance the physical dynamic (the organs of action) with the feeling dynamic (the organs of perception). A safe and fulfilling practice develops as well as the stamina to draw the mind into willing service of the intent to feel and see ourselves as we truly are.
This week long workshop will be progressive and developmental,
beginning with a strong foundation in the basic poses.
Who is it suitable for?
You must have some prior Yoga experience and the course is suitable for mixed levels of abilities.
The work will develop from a strong foundation in the basic poses. This weekend will not be appropriate for absolute beginners to Yoga. But you do not have to have prior Iyengar experience.
More seasoned
students will be challenged to go deeper in the postures they already
know,
and will work to develop refinement, stability and ease.
KEVIN GARDINER celebrated thirty years of practice with the turn of
the Millennium.
He is a Certified Intermediate Junior 3 Iyengar Instructor
and has made extended trips to India to study with the Iyengars in Pune.
He is a core faculty member and co-founder of the B.K.S. Iyengar Institute
of Greater New York where he teaches regularly and continues his studies
with his senior teacher, Mary Dunn. He also teaches classes in his own studio on the upper East side in Manhattan.
Kevin is precise and detailed in his instruction, graceful in demonstration and has a light-hearted and
off-beat sense of humour.
A week with Kevin is a grand opportunity to deepen
your YOGA PRACTICE.
THE BURREN YOGA AND MEDITATION CENTER is a beautiful purpose built Yoga centre on the foothills of the Burren. The centre is spaceous and airy with spectacalour views. It is located about five miles outside Kinvara, a small picturesque seaside village which sits on the south coast of Galway Bay.
Photos of facilities at the CentreAccommodation
The accommodation at the centre is in rooms of 2, 4 or 6 people sharing. There are also local B&B's and a hotel.
More details
Accommodation at the centreThe price includes accommodation at the centre, and breakfast, lunch and a delicious vegetarian evening dinner prepared by Paddi the chef (formerly of Seventh Heaven restuarant. For more info see
Comments from previous coursesWeather permitting there will be a day trip during the week to the Aran Islands. This will be optional and an extra expense.
Photos of a previous course with Kevin in September 2002 (which was a higher level course) can be seen at
Report on Iyengar week Kevin Gardiner Sept 2002Getting to the centre (Airport access, taxi, bus etc.) Weather and what clothes to bring
The weather in Ireland is quite unpredictable. Best to bring good rain gear, and good walking shoes/boots. Light fleece type jackets advisable and it is a good idea to bring additional tee-shirts which can be used as extra layers of clothes. A winter's day here which may start off quite cool or cold, can often warm up so it is useful to be able to take those extra layers off, or add on layers as required.
What else you should bring with you
For a list of essential things to bring please click
What to bring with you
Bed linen is supplied, but you will need to bring your own towels. Folks from overseas may use towels from the centre.
We do not wear shoes inside the house so you may like to bring slippers or thick socks. However, the underfloor heating makes bare feet quite comfortable all year round.
We do not let the weather stop our hill or sea walks, so it is always a good idea to bring good walking shoes & raingear.
A camera is always a good idea.
All participants are asked to bring a Sticky mat two or three blankets ,two straps, blocks and any other props you ordinarily use. Folks travelling from the States may use one of the sticky mats from the centre and also the blankets here.
Bring a friend?
Why not send this mail (or url) to a friend who may like to come along on this unique Yoga week holiday.
Is it safe to fly to Ireland at the moment?
The airport security is much higher nowadays, and although it may take you a longer time to wait while your baggage is carefully checked, flying is still statistically the safest way to travel.
So how do I find out about costs of a flight and the best airport to fly into?
The best airport to fly into is "Shannon airport". There is more information under the section
Getting to the centreThe best price to get for your ticket is probably by searching the internet for special offers. Or by contacting your usual travel agent. I am not familiar with the current offers which are available.
Numbers for local B&B's.
091-637206
091-637483
091-637593
091-637425
091-637127
Costs for the course1 week course including accommodation and meals 600 Euro
If you choose not to stay at the centre and would prefer to stay in a B&B, the cost of the course
1 week course including meals 530 Euro
Other activities which may be planned depending on weather and interest
- Day trip shopping in the semi pedestrain zoned town of Ennis
- Trip to the Aran Islands
- Trip to the Cliffs of moher
- Sailing trip in a traditional sailing boat Galway bay hooker
- A trip to Galway city
- A visit to one of the local Irish pubs with set dancing and traditional Irish music
Places of interest to visit
- Cliffs of Moher
- Poulnabrone dolmen
- Other ancient sites, churches, ruins, castles
- Ailawee caves
- Fanore dolphin called "Mara"
- Kilmacdough round tower
- Limestone pavements of burren rock
- Atlantic coast
An example of another week long course September with Kevin 2002
This contains
photos and lists some of the activities and day trips undertaken.
Click
Report on Iyengar week Kevin Gardiner Sept 2002Booking a place on the course
Click below for on-line booking and information on how to book.
Booking on a course
How to find out more information
By e-mail to burrenyoga@yahoo.com
The timetable for the weekend is as follows;
Friday (27th December 2002)
- 14:00 – 16:00 Arrive and settle in
- 16:30 - 18:30 Restorative class after travelling
- 19:00 Dinner
Saturday
- 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 - 12:00 Iyengar practice with Kevin
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 17:00 Freetime Outdoors in the Burren (This will vary from sea walk to a walk through the hills. Some walks will include visits to ancient sites.)
- 16:30 - 18:30 Asana class
- 19:00 Dinner
Sunday
- 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 - 12:00 Iyengar practice with Kevin
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 17:00 Freetime Outdoors in the Burren (This will vary from sea walk to a walk through the hills. Some walks will include visits to ancient sites.)
- 16:30 - 18:30 Asana class
- 19:00 Dinner
Monday
- 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 - 12:00 Iyengar practice with Kevin
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 17:00 Freetime Outdoors in the Burren (This will vary from sea walk to a walk through the hills. Some walks will include visits to ancient sites.)
- 16:30 - 18:30 Asana class
- 19:00 Dinner
Tuesday
- 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 - 12:00 Iyengar practice with Kevin
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 17:00 Freetime Outdoors in the Burren (This will vary from sea walk to a walk through the hills. Some walks will include visits to ancient sites.)
- 16:30 - 18:30 Asana class
- 19:00 Dinner
Wednesday
- 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 - 12:00 Iyengar practice with Kevin
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 17:00 Freetime Outdoors in the Burren (This will vary from sea walk to a walk through the hills. Some walks will include visits to ancient sites.)
- 16:30 - 18:30 Asana class
- 19:00 Dinner
Thursday
- 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 - 12:00 Iyengar practice with Kevin
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 17:00 Freetime Outdoors in the Burren (This will vary from sea walk to a walk through the hills. Some walks will include visits to ancient sites.)
- 16:30 - 18:30 Asana class
- 19:00 Dinner
Friday
- 7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 - 12:00 Iyengar practice with Kevin
- 12:00 - 13:00 Pack bags, help tidy up.
- 13:00 Lunch
- 13:30 Depart
Directions to the centreThe centre is 5 miles from Kinvara at the foot of the Burren Hills. There are no road signs and you will need detailed directions in order to find the centre for your first visit. There are detailed directions on the website www.burrenyoga.com under ‘How to find the centre’ and then under ‘detailed directions’.
You should print these out and bring them with you.
How to get to the centre
If you are travelling to the centre it is easiest to get here by car. The directions on the website include directions from Dublin, Galway and Limerick.
If you have room and would like to offer someone a lift then please let the centre know.
The closest bus is to Gort. There are buses from Galway city to Gort each hour. A local hackney from Gort will cost approx 10 Euro. Phone 086-8337786, 087-2684062, 086-8248851
If you would like a lift, then please let us know and we will try to link you up with someone travelling by car.
Other courses at the centre
There are other courses which are held at the centre throughout the year.
These include Yoga courses some of which are Satyananda yoga which emphasises inner awareness, breath awareness, relaxation and is suitable for all ages, fit or unfit.
There is also Astanga Yoga which is quite strong and dynamic and requires a good level of fitness. And there is Iyengar Yoga which requires a medium degree of fitness.
There are also Yoga-Dance workshops, Shiatsu courses, Vegetarian cooking, Detox courses, Stress Management courses and also Relaxation breaks.
More information
If you would like to receive monthly updates of new courses planned at the centre, you may add your e-mail address to the mailing list on the website.
Click here to
Join our mailing listClick here to read sample Newsletter
Newsletter AprilIf you do not have an e-mail address, and would like to receive monthly updates then please send your name and address to the centre.
Alternatively you may phone the centre for more information on 091-637680 [00-353-91-637680 for overseas]
Best Wishes,
Dave
Comments from previous courses 
