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Dates:
April 22nd - 24th.

For information on weekly Bikram yoga classes
please click Bikram Yoga classes in Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide Yoga College of India™. Born in Calcutta in 1946, Bikram began Yoga at the age of four with Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi, founder of the Self Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles).

Bikram practiced Yoga four to six hours a day with six thousand other students at Ghosh's College of Physical Education in Calcutta; and at the age of thirteen, he won the National India Yoga contest. He was undefeated for three years.

At seventeen, an injury to his knee during a weight-lifting accident brought the prediction from leading European doctors that he would never walk again. Not accepting their pronouncement, he had himself carried back to Bishnu Ghosh's school, for he knew that if anyone could help to heal his knee, it was his teacher. Six months later, his knee had totally recovered. Ghosh was a celebrated physical culturist and the first to scientifically document Yoga's ability to cure chronic physical ailments and heal the body.



Photo of Bikram giving "strong" assistance to increase back-bend. Note this is not done unless the teacher knows the student and what they are and are not able for.

Bikram was asked by Ghosh to start several Yoga schools in India. There Bikram came into his own. The schools were so successful that at Bishnu's request Bikram traveled to Japan and opened two more. He has since brought his curative methods of Yoga therapy around the world.

Bikram’s Yoga Routine

Bikram’s Yoga is a routine of 26 poses, which works the whole body. The poses work synergistically and cumulatively to return the body to a balance state. The balance, and most importantly the tourniquet effect. The Bikram technique allows the stretching, squeezing and massaging of the internal organs, flushing out the cardiovascular system and stimulating the endocrine and nervous systems in order to release any deficient hormones and enzymes. The body self-regulating and self-adjusting.



Classes in the States can be huge as there is big demand for these classes. In the Burren Yoga and meditation Centre the classes are limied to 15 participants.

A regular Bikam Yoga Practice:

• Regulates cholesterol in the blood
• Supplies oxygen and nutrients to parts of the body that have been blocked or stagnant
• Eliminates toxins
• Flushes the lymphatic system
• Strengthens the immune system
• Balances the endocrine glands
• improves the spine’s flexibility and health
• Expands lung capacity and strengthens bones
• Stretches, tones and firms the muscles
• Promotes weight loss
• Produces a healthy glow from the person

Instructor
Niamh Jones is a fully qualified Bikram yoga instructor. She takes care and attention to peoples limitations but will encourage you to practice to your limits.



Niamh will instruct to a maximum of 15 people in the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre, so each participant will receive plenty of individual attention and encouragement.

Report on March 2003 Bikram yoga workshop in the Burren Yoga and meditation Centre
The report below contains photos of the workshop at Burren Yoga.

Bikram Yoga in Ireland report

Fun and high energy
The routine of Bikram Yoga is dynamic and exhilarating.

Sweating and Heat
The room is intentionally warm so that your muscles will stretch more easily and also helps sweat out all the toxins in the body.

Who is it suitable for ?

"I’ve never done yoga before but i’d like to try it out."



Either have good previous experience of some form of Hatha Yoga or else be reasonably fit.

"What if I'm not supple?"

This is one the most common misconception that some people have about coming to a physical hatha yoga class.

Bikram Yoga is not about how flexible you are. It is about stretching your body and the spine in many different directions. All that matters is that you try in the right way, go to your personal edge (note this is not Satyananda yoga), and you will get the benefits. In time your flexibility can improve dramatically.



Time table for weekend


Friday

• 18:00 – 19:00 Arrive and settle in
• 19:00 Dinner
• 21:00 – 22:00 Intrduction to Bikram yoga

Saturday

• 7:30 - 8:00 Breathwork and Loosening postures
• 8:15 – 10:15 Bikram Yoga class
• 10:30 Brunch
• 11:30 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 - 18:00 Bikram Yoga class.
• 18:30 Dinner

Sunday

• 7:30 - 8:00 Breathwork and Loosening postures
• 8:15 - 9:45 Bikram Yoga class
• 10:00 Brunch
• 12:00 - 13:00 Bikram Yoga class. Questions/Answers
• 13:00 Lunch
• 13:30 Depart

Accommodation
The accommodation at the centre is in rooms of 2, 4 or 6 people sharing.

There are also 2 single rooms which work out at €30 extra for a weekend or €70 extra for a week.

There are also local B&B's and a hotel.
More details Accommodation at the centre

Your partner or family may also stay at the centre New flexible pricing structure

Cost of the course
The cost of the course is 250 Euro and includes accommodation and vegetarian meals.

The food is cooked by Paddi the gourmet vegetarian chef who ran Seventh Heaven the well known restuarant in Galway city.

If you choose not to stay at the centre and would prefer to stay in a B&B, the cost of the course is 230 Euro

Do people come on their own or with someone else ?
Most people come on the own from all different parts of the country and also some from abroad who fly into Shannon.

The atmosphere is quite easy going and friendly and warm, so its the type of centre where you arrive and before you know you feel at home.

Sometimes people do come in pairs if they also happen to have a friend who enjoys yoga weekends too.

Is it cold in Winter ?
The centre has underfloor heating throughout the building. So even if the weather gets cold outside, it is nice and cosy inside. This includes the Yoga room and the dorms at night.

Staying an additional night This may enable you to get a cheaper flight. You need to check this with the centre and it depends on availability.

Booking a place on the course
Click below for on-line booking and information on how to book by phone.
Booking on a course

How to get to the centre
Getting to the centre
For information on

• Public transport
• Reduced taxi fares
• Car pooling and getting a lift
• Airport information and cheap flights
• Detailed road directions which you will need to find the centre

What you should bring with you
Bed linen is supplied, but you will need to bring your own towels.

Good walking shoes or walking boots, and outdoor clothes a very good idea.

For a list of essential things to bring please click What to bring with you



Other courses at the centre

We have approx 3 weekend courses each month all year round
and about 10 week long courses mainly in the Summer, Christmas and Easter.

• Satyananda (Gentle, suitable for complete beginners, all ages and you do not have to be fit)
• Astanga (Strong, dynamic. You need reasonable fitness)
• Iyengar (Precise physical postures, medium in strength)
• Bikram (Hot sweaty workout, great fun)
• Kundalini (Internal energies, visualizations, gentle yoga)
• Pilates course (Flatten your tummy, strengthen your back, improve flexibility)
• Detox and Holistic Health (Learn about cleansing, raw juices, full body massage, gentle yoga)
• And many more courses

For a complete list of courses for the next few months
Courses for the next few months

More courses Please note that there will be more courses planned over the coming weeks. If you wish to be kept up to date with the latest list of courses, then click Join our mailing list to be kept up to date by e-mail about any new courses

Sample newsletter Newsletter April

More information
Comments from people Comments from previous courses

Photos from the year 2002. Outdoors in the Burren, swimming, walking, horse riding, sailing

or simply contact the centre on 091-637680

From overseas 00-353-91-637680

All enquiries welcome!