Atmosphere

The atmosphere at the yoga centre is informal and relaxed.  There is a genuine warmth and friendliness and a great way to get to know your new retreat mates is chatting over dinner after you arrive.

Usually about a third of our retreat participants have been here before, so this helps create an easy going atmosphere straight away and soon the centre is buzzing like a happy bee hive 😉

If you are from outside Ireland, then it may be a surprise to you how sociable and easy going Irish people are, and it is very easy to feel at home and relaxed within this friendly atmosphere.

Guidelines

If you have never been to a genuine yoga retreat centre before, the guidelines below may be useful to prepare yourself for a holiday with a difference.

• We don’t wear shoes indoors, so please bring socks you can wear
• Mobile phones should be switched off at all times, so please make arrangements that you don’t need to be contacted while here
• We work with awareness and clarity through yoga and meditation so no alcohol or unprescribed drugs should be taken or brought back to the centre
• We take turns with the washing up after meals and more details under TAB karma yoga
• We ask you to leave behind newspapers, radios, magazines and other reminders of the outside world

Our retreats are great fun and the most likely sound you will hear from the kitchen is laughter and chatting.

However there is also deeper work going on within each one of us during our retreats.

The yoga and meditation practices work on all levels of our being, and a retreat here is an opportunity to become aware of one’s inner world, and to leave behind distractions of the outside world so that you can become more in tune with your Self.

It is through daily practice using yoga and meditation that we firstly become aware of some inner habits or tendencies that may be holding us back in life, and then over time to learn how to let go of these inner conflicts in order to bring about a much clearer and peaceful and joyful state of mind.

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns about the guidelines or any other questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact Dave who runs the centre.

Karma Yoga

Karma yoga is doing work with awareness

Karma yoga is a way to carry out a task and watch oneself in the process.

One tries not identify with the ego, and try not to be attached to the fruits of one’s work, but one carries out the task to the best of one’s ability.

This is an opportunity to get to know oneself.

It is also an opportunity to put in your own good energies to help others without looking for reward.

And as with most things in life, what we put in, comes back to us many-fold.

Karma yoga teaches letting go of the ego, and a closer understanding or insight into our internal world.

Helping out in the kitchen by everyone on a course

In yoga ashrams and yoga centres, out of practical necessity karma yoga is used for the smooth running of the centre in a shared way. All tasks possible from growing and preparing the food, building, cleaning, maintenance and D.I.Y. are carried out by the course participants and ashram residents themselves, bringing not only an appreciation for the basics of life but also challenging the ego.

Recognising that this is also your Yoga Holiday, in the Burren Yoga Centre this important yoga component has been incorporated in a light practical way which ensures all who come get to experience the Karma yoga concept and the centre still benefits is a very practical way which is good for all on the course.

During our courses, we take it in turns to tidy away the tables and counters in the kitchen, load the dishwasher, wash and dry any dishes that do not fit into the washer, clean the kitchen, sweep the floors and set the table for meals.

Please be aware that you will be expected to take part in karma yoga as part of the yoga course, but also note it usually takes no more than an hour over the course of a weekend.

If you don’t feel you could participate with this activity then perhaps this course is not for you.

Karma yoga is a wonderful way where course participants contribute to the well being of the others in the group and also the smooth running of the centre.

Further karma yoga

On a voluntary individual basis, people may help out in keeping the yoga centre clean, and on the longer courses people are welcome to undertake other tasks for the common good where this has been agreed with the course leader.

More Information

To find out more, please see Karma Yoga at Burren Yoga

What to Bring with you

Essential thing to bring with you

• Walking boots (or very good strong shoes)
• Rain gear, including rain pants if you have them
• Change of clothes
• Comfortable clothes for yoga practice (shorts if very dynamic yoga)
• Cash to pay for the full course fee (not credit card or cheque)
• No money has been debited from your credit card. Read line above.
• We do not wear shoes inside the centre, so socks with grips on soles or non-slip socks, Soft woollen slippers (not sandals, or flip flops, or crocs or any harder soles than soft woollen or fake fur) for the centre
• Small plastic bottle for water (fresh spring water from taps at centre)
• If Bikram classes on the schedule, a large bath towel to put over your mat
• Alarm clock, shower gel, shampoo, toiletries (please bring environmentally friendly personal washing products)
• Mobile phones don’t work, so please print and bring Detailed Directions

Useful additional items to consider

• Slip on shoes such as crocs when walking between the buildings or in the garden as we don’t wear shoes inside
• Camera
• Hair dryer
• Walking shorts, pants
• Small back pack or bum bag to carry coat/water/other
• Bath towel for the beach and swimming suit
• Sun block
• Hat, scarf, gloves for boat trip or staying snug
• Torch if you are adventurous 😉
• Cash as there are few if any ATMs in this area

Please do NOT bring

• Newspapers
• Radio
• iPod
• Laptop
• Magazines
• Mobile phones should be switched off at all times, so please make arrangements that you don’t need to be contacted

These courses are a chance for you to take time to yourself and to get away from the outside world. It is an opportunity for you to learn quality yoga and meditation, and to take time to tune inwards.

Many people may be making an effort to leave behind email and texts and Facebook etc., so if you were to use one of these in front of the group it could put pressure on others.

We ask you to leave the usual outside world behind while you are at the centre.

What is supplied at the centre

• All bed linen 100%  Egyptian cotton
• Bath and hand towel for yoga centre use only
• Yoga mats and props and blankets

Frequently Asked Questions

I am unfit and never practiced yoga before.  Can i come?

Our retreats are suitable for everybody, so yes you are very welcome to attend the retreat.  Please note that some retreats are more gentle than others and you can read more at Who the retreats are suitable for

I am very experienced in yoga.  Do you have retreats suitable for me?

We have a team of 16 highly qualified yoga teachers some of whom train yoga teachers.  All of them are very well experienced and are able to teach complete beginners and advanced people on the same retreat.  All our teachers would be happy to spend time with you to work on whatever areas you are particularly interested in.

Please see Advanced Yoga

What age group and type of people come?

We get people from all walks of life, men and women, young and old.  Our youngest has been about 14 years of age and she had a great time with her mum on one of our week long retreats.

Our oldest has been 70 years of age, and she was an inspiration for everybody to see how positive she was and willing to give everything a go.

More information at Who the retreats are suitable for

Should I bring my own yoga mat? What exactly is supplied?

Please see TAB “What to bring with you” at the top of this page. This will give you a list of essential things to bring… and a list of other useful things… and a list of what is supplied… and a list of what not to bring with you.

Can my partner come and not take part in the classes but do everything else?

Yes your partner is very welcome to stay at the centre, partake in the guided outings and the outdoor activities, meals and everything the group does, but skip the classes if that is their preference.

Prices can be seen at Packages and Pricing

Can i bring my child or baby with me

We don’t have child minding facilities at the centre.

Many people come on our retreats to get a way from very busy lives, and they often seek the peace and quiet of a retreat.

In the interest of maintaining this peace and quiet, we don’t allow babies or children under 14 to attend.

Can i take free time to myself on your retreats?

Yes, all the classes, meals, activities, guided outings are optional.  You are welcome to put your feet up and relax at the yoga centre on your own while the rest of the group go out for the day on their guided outing.  Or if you have a car, you could also go away for some time on your own during the day.

Most people find the guided outings such great fun and an important part of the eco yoga retreat that they don’t want to miss out on these.  However it is entirely your choice, and you can take as much time out on your own as you like.

What is the daily timetable on the retreat I have booked?

On the website, go to “Retreat Holidays”, and then “Calendar and Book online”. This will list all the upcoming retreats.

Click on the retreat that you have booked. This will present a full description of your retreat. Click TAB Timetable near the top of the page.

This will detail the class times, meals, guided outings, arrival and departure times.

What is the departure time on the retreat I have booked?

Weekend yoga retreats finish at 2:00 pm on Sunday.

Week-long yoga retreats finish at 12:00 noon on Thursday.

We ask that people leave at the latest by these times.

How much cash should I bring with me?

Please bring the full retreat fee in cash, as no money has been taken from your credit card. This was all explained in the “Confirmation of your booking” email that you received, and this email will state the exact amount of cash you should bring to pay for the retreat fee.

If you are coming on a week long retreat, best to allow approx €10 to €15 for lunch each day, as we stop at one of the local cafes during our guided outings. Depending on the weather, €30 if you would like to do surfing (optional) and €10 for the boat trip to the Cliffs of Moher (weather dependant and optional).

The nearest ATM (bank cash point) is 5 miles away in Kinvara, and 3 ATMs in Gort which is 6 miles away.

What type of benefits can one get from yoga?

Yoga works on all levels of your being, and gives benefits on a physical, mental, energetic and also peace of mind.

Benefits include

• physical level including
  • better health
  • better posture
  • improved breathing
  • improved flexibility
  • improved sleep patterns
  • able to relax better
  • more energy
• mental level including
  • better peace of mind
  • more refreshed
  • better enthusiasm for life
  • more creative and open to new things
  • clearer thinking
• an emotional level such as
  • more balanced
  • less likely to get angry or have outbursts
  • more optimistic
  • less lethargic
• other levels including
  • seeing the bigger picture
  • more care for others
  • getting to know oneself more
  • evolving ones motives and patterns
  • preparing for the future while living fully in the present
  • communing more with all

I am not flexible.  Can i practice yoga?

Yes.  Yoga is for everybody.  One of the side effects of practicing yoga is that one becomes more flexible in time… but there are many more benefits to practicing yoga.

One does not need to be flexible in any way to start practicing yoga.

I want to come on my own.  Do i have to book a single room?

Most people come to Burren Yoga on their own.  If you prefer to share, simply select ‘sharing with others’ on your booking form, and we will put you in a room sharing with same sex and try to team you up with similar age room mates.

I snore. What should i do

Please be considerate of others and book a single room for yourself.

Is there real tea and real coffee?

Yes we have normal tea and coffee with caffeine, and also a huge range of herbal teas available.  And also fresh spring water straight from the tap and you are welcome to fill up your own plastic bottle with the spring water which tastes much better than normal bottled water.

I have never been to a yoga centre. What can i expect

The atmosphere is informal and friendly. Most people come on their own and feel quite at home when they arrive at the centre and feel the peaceful atmosphere.

We don’t wear shoes inside the house so most people wear socks or bare feet indoors.

The buildings are modern and warm with underfloor heating throughout.

A good way to get an overview is to watch a couple of the 6 minute videos at

Video Testimonials

Can i sign up for a weekend only on a week course?

Yes. More information at Packages and Pricing

I don’t have a car. Can i come on the outings ?

We take turns driving each day,  so it is no problem to come without a car.

However, it is nice to have your own car, as it gives you the freedom to go back and visit one of the special places that you may like to see by yourself.

There is more information about car hire at

Getting Here

Wondering about the outings if you don’t have a car, or getting a lift to get here, then please see

Car pooling and getting a lift

Are there en-suite bathrooms ?

No. We have 4 bathrooms which are shared between the 15 participants on the course and the yoga teacher teaching.

What are the surrounding areas like

The centre is on a two acre grounds at the foot of the Burren hill range.

Kinvara is the nearest village and is 5 miles away. Kinvara is a picturesque seaside village located at the inner most tip of Galway bay.

Immediately around the centre there are only 5 houses in a 1 mile radius, and the closest Burren hill “Cappaghmore” is 2 minutes walk away.

There is rarely traffic on these back roads of the Burren hills.

There are walks by the road, up the hill, along the side of the hill, over grassy fields all from the centre.

Within 5 miles drive, there are innumerable beautiful locations.

What are the rules of the centre

The main rule of the centre is to respect the peacefulness and tranquility while still having a good time here.

Mobile phones are switched off at all times.

We don’t wear shoes indoors and we take turns helping out with the washing up.

Is the centre warm or cold

The centre is super insulated with underfloor heating throughout. Even if it is freezing outside, it is still warm and comfortable inside.

In the Burren we rarely get snow in the Winter. It is one of the warmest places in Ireland, as the heat absorbed by the rock during the summer, is slowly emitted during the winter.  Also the proximity to the gulf stream warms the air by 1 or 2 degrees.

Can i smoke

If you need to smoke, please do so outside the centre. There is an area outside the front gate where you can go if you wish to smoke. You are asked to dispose of the cigarette butts in the bin provided and not simply throw your butts on the ground and also not to bring the butts back indoors with you.

Is there alcohol at the centre

No, we don’t have alcohol at the centre.  With yoga and meditation we bring clarity to our mind and expand our awareness.  We don’t encourage anything that will interfere with this process.

Are the beds comfortable

All the mattresses are hotel quality and many people ask us where we have bought them so they can buy them for their home.

The beds are individually carved by Johnny Ray and are a work of art.

All beds have comfortable hotel quality mattresses, mattress covers, duvets and two pillows.

All bed linen is 100% Egyptian cotton high quality 40 thread count.

Freshly cleaned sheet, pillow cases and duvet cover on all beds.

Bath towel and hand towel also supplied.

No towels are supplied for the beach, sun bathing outdoors or for placing on your mat for Bikram yoga classes.  You are asked to bring you own towel for any of these activities.

What’s the difference between a hotel and the yoga centre

We do not pamper our guests. We do not wait on you hand and foot.

You are also expected to help out with maintaining the kitchen and keeping the centre clean and tidy, and this provides a nice way to interact with others and also to bring some of your own good energies into the centre and to the group as a whole.

There is a lovely feeling of a group of like minded individuals who are are interested in yoga and tend to be caring happy people.

What’s the timetable for each day?

The timetable can be slightly different for each retreat so it is best to click on the retreat you are interested in and view that timetable.

However most timetables are similar to the Sample Timetable

How can i see which retreats are coming up over the next few months?

Click on Retreat Holidays, Calendar and Booking

I want to find out more info about a particular retreat

If you click on any retreat on the Calendar page (see above) , you will see

• Description of that retreat
• Who that retreat is suitable for
• Timetable for that retreat
• Information on who is teaching that course

Is there laundry nearby?

There is a laundry shop in Kinvara which is 8km away and another in Gort which is 10km away.  You are recommended to bring enough clothes with you for your stay, as we don’t have laundry facilities here at the centre.

If you are coming on  a Bikram retreat you may need to bring a good few changes of clothing and your own bath towel to place on top of your yoga mat.

Can i bring my dog?

Apologies we don’t have facilities for a dog.  We also have outdoor cats which are terrified of dogs.

It is best for you to find a neighbour or a friend to look after your dog while you come here on retreat.

Can i speak to my young children on the phone?

We advise you to take the time to yourself while here on retreat and to make arrangements so that you are not contactable by phone.  This is so that you can take time away from your everyday life and responsibilities and from the other people in your life.  This is to give you the ideal environment in which to go inwards and to get in touch with the more subtle parts of yourself.

However you may have very young children who would not understand this and you may need to have a quick word with them during the day to reassure them.  If you decide to do this, we ask you to do this out of earshot of any other people on the retreat and also not to encourage anybody else to use their phone who may be making the effort to leave their mobile phone switched off.

Can i use the phone at the centre?

We have only 1 line coming into the centre, and it may only be used in the case of an emergency.

It is fine to give the number of the yoga centre to family in the event of an emergency, but this is the only circumstance that this number should be used.

Do you have internet wireless facilities at the centre?

These retreats are a complete break from all the usual electronic use of the Internet, Facebook, emails and also from television, radio and newspapers.

We advise you to take the time to yourself while here on retreat and to make arrangements so that you do not need to check email or use a computer.

In the case of an emergency, we do have WiFi access which you may use provided you have your own laptop/phone with you.  If you do need to do this, we ask you to do this out of view of other guests and not to tempt others who may be making a big effort not to use mobile phones, laptops or other electronic devices.

It is fine to use your mobile phone as a camera or alarm clock, but we ask you to keep it on “airline mode”.

It is fine to use a Kindle for reading.

The computer in the office is for the use of the centre only and apologies is not open to be used by retreat participants.  There is an internet shop in Gort.

How can someone contact me in the event of an emergency?

It is fine to give your family the landline of the yoga centre (which is on the bottom of every page on the website) so that they may contact you in the event of an emergency.

This is only to be used in the case of an emergency.

How do i know you can cater for my special diet?

Gearoid the cook has huge experience with diets and we have not had anybody yet that Gearoid has not been able to cater for.

More information at Vegetarian food and diets

I don’t have a Master or Visa card.  How can i book.

There are a number of ways which are described at

Methods of Payment.

How soon do i have to book i order to ensure getting  a place on one of your retreats?

Some retreats book out weeks in advance, while sometimes you may be lucky and get a place at the last minute.

We only have 3 single rooms, and 2 double rooms so if you are looking to book one of these, we would advise booking as far ahead in advance as possible.

When you book, you do not pay nay deposit.  You simply pay the full retreat fee when you arrive at the centre.  For this reason we advise people to book as soon as they see the retreat they would like to come on.  There is no advantage of waiting until the last minute and possibly the retreat will be booked out at that stage.

What is the weather like in Ireland in the Summer/Winter?

Please see Weather 

What happens if I have to cancel my booking on a retreat

The full Cancellation Policy is explained at Burren Yoga Cancellation policy

What happens if a retreat I am booked on is cancelled?

If something happens that is beyond our control, and in the unlikely event that we have to cancel a retreat, we will fully refund any deposit or retreat fee that you have paid already.

If you are booking flights to come here, we advise you to take out insurance when buying your tickets, to cover any such unlikely event, or any other event where you would have to cancel yourself.

What happens when i arrive at the centre?

You will be greeted by Dave who will show you around the centre.  You can then simply relax in your room or in the lounge where most people put their feet up and relax when they arrive.

People arrive between 5:00 and 7:00 pm and usually meet and chat with each other in the lounge.

Dinner is at 7:00 pm and at this stage all the retreat participants will be there and it is a nice way to get to meet everybody while eating one of Gearoid’s delicious vegetarian dinners.