We took to our woodlands, parks, mountains, and open spaces in droves during the Pandemic, desperate for headspace, clean open air and some much-needed peace and reassurance. And because we all needed to get out of the house before we started a battle with family! In a world of cataclysmic shifts, where uncertainty and fear reigned, nature became our constant saviour. Though we may not be able to explain it, we know we always feel much better, calmer, more grounded after being immersed in green spaces like forests or woodlands. It is not surprising that we are made to be outdoors.
Read moreThe joyous simplicity of wild camping in Ireland
The joyous simplicity of wild camping in Ireland
This is why I wild camp, why I choose to stay near the beach and fall asleep to the sound of the sea or be woken by the wind in the trees or the bird’s practicing the dawn chorus. For the views, the silence, the oneness with nature, the simple life. And like all the best things in life, it’s absolutely free.
Read moreBirthday Reflections on an ordinary life
Honestly though, my biggest achievement in my 40th year was just getting through some really hard shit that wont ever make it into a public blog. The ups & downs of real life - relationships, family, business. And Im still here, perhaps a little bit more bruised, but stronger, wiser and with better boundaries. A clearer view of how to live a value led life.
Then typically, I was thinking hmmmm is that it?! Anything more? It turns out, to my knowledge, nothing wild, ground - breaking or earth shattering happened. No big things I hadnt recalled. I lived an ordinary life, doing ordinary things.
Read moreYoga and Fibromyalgia
May 9th 2022 is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (wear purple for support today!). I have quite a few students who practice with me who have Fibro, through their honesty and my research and training as a Yoga Therapist, I have learned quite a lot about this condition and enjoy helping those with it on the mat to find comfort and ease. In this blog I share some helpful resources and a complementary class tailored for anyone who experiences Fibromyalgia.
Read moreAttune to March
A month for nurturing ourselves and our new ideas and plans that were dreamed up over Winter, born into life in early Spring and now needing care and attention.
Read moreConnecting to Imbolc and February's energy
For February, my intention for the month is Vision. We rested, dreamed and hibernated through winter. Sat with what is and was and now at Imbolc, the beginning of Spring and the start of Chinese New Year it’s a time for new beginnings. Imbolc means in the belly, a time for seeds to be sown, life to remerge slowly, tentatively.
Read moreEbb & Flow with the seasons
Living in close relationship to the seasons and the flowing of time allows us to (re)attune to the earth and teaches us to cooperate with the energy of that period rather than fighting against it.
Read moreCan sitting kill us? In short, yes.....
Whatever you’re up to right now, chances are you’re sitting down. Most of us have heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking” referring to the growing epidemic of sedentary lifestyles. But is this true? Is sitting in a chair that bad for you? In short, yes……
Read moreJanuary - a time pause, a time to dream
The new year brings with it a collective yearning for change. It evokes in us a willingness to reflect and ask ourselves what that change might look like. And winter is the time to go within and listen.
So, before we expend more precious energy chasing random things, let's PAUSE for a moment. Create space to consider do we really know what we want for ourselves this year? This is still a time for inaction, a time to lie fallow and go deeper before taking action.
Read moreWinter & Solstice Reflections
Winter Reflections
In the dark harsh winter, the Winter Solstice was a time of great celebration. A time for resting & dreaming…
In the dark harsh winter, the Winter Solstice was a time of great celebration for our ancestors. And still today, these days are for resting and dreaming.
At the Winter Solstice or Grianstad an Gheimhridh as gaelige, it is a turning point, when light shines through the darkness. This is what we celebrate at the Winter Solstice - the return of the light. I take great hope from that during the darkness of winter.
The nourishment of the mid-Winter quiet darkness, rest and drawing inwards to reflect. It also makes it an ideal time for dreaming. As well as the great celebrations of the Solstice and Christmas, it is a potent time to pause, reflect and wonder.
Read moreEco-Friendly Irish Christmas Gift Guide
Eco-friendly Irish Christmas Gift Guide
It’s Christmas and so naturally most of us will go and buy gifts for others, it’s a lovely thing, it’s admirable. But perhaps this year I invite you to do so with a little more care and thought for our planet and its finite resources. So here are my suggestions for some eco-friendly living and Christmas gifts this year, all from Ireland.
Read moreSamhain Celebrations
Samhain marks a new chapter of the year - it is a time for taking stock of the year gone by, things we have surrendered and things we have gained. Then we are ready to make plans and dreams for the coming year, plant them in the dark earth within, tend them through the quiet months, and bring them bursting into life in Spring. In this blog I share 8 ways to celebrate the festival of Samhain.
Read moreMy 8 Personal Top Tips for Banishing Back Ache
I’m delighted to share the tools I have in my tool kit to help me with my personal back ache. I had 2 herniated discs, both herniated 4 yrs ago and 3 yrs ago respectively. And I manage it well without the need for painkillers, anti inflammatory drugs or having to miss out on the things I love. My own back issues have taught me so much. It led me down the route of teaching others how to manage their back ache and discomfort. Learning how to do this for myself changed my life, its an honour to help others do the same now for themselves.
Read moreOcean Love!
I visit the sea every single day, I never miss a day. It’s part of my lifeblood and this year I even work at the beach, teaching Yoga on the sand! I consider Banna Beach my home – I am of here. So today is a big day for us Sea-Lovers as it’s World Ocean Day 2021. The sea inspires me, soothes me, she brings clarity and calm.
Read more6 Tips for Staying Warm & Dry in the Great Outdoors
I wrote this blog with hiking and walking in mind, but my tips and recommendations apply to lots of outdoor activities, practicing Yoga in the rain for example OHHHHH it’s been a wet month! ! I hope you find it useful :)
Read moreBest Dog Friendly Walks in Kerry
As the proud Dog Mama to three beautiful, energetic rescue dogs I love heading off rambling with my doggos. We need to get out for some decent walks every single day – for their stimulation, to burn off energy and to help keep them fit and most importantly – happy! I need it for all those reasons too and as a Yoga Teacher I understand the how vital down-time is, I crave our walks for my own headspace to be honest. Strolling with them is my happy place! I’ve gathered up a list of my favourite and arguably the best dog walks around Kerry (in my humble opinion!) to share with you.
Read moreSeven Reasons to visit Banna Beach, Co. Kerry this Summer
Being a native of the area, I pretty much grew up on Banna Beach, Co. Kerry and I feel like the salt, sand, sea and wildness are part of me. I’ve travelled the world, seen some amazing beaches but sure “they’re no Banna!”. It was written in the wind that one day I would return to here to sink my feet permanently back into Banna sand.
There’s a myriad of reasons why I think you should visit Banna, it’s not an exhaustive list, it’s my personal recommendations as a local, so let’s start with seven for now!
Read moreWorld Health Day 2021: SNAFU
I watched the rain rivulet down the window pane. Peering beyond to the garden my gaze fell on the sopping trees and their deep, leafy green hew, darkened by the torrential downpour. Cupping my wine glass in both hands, I sipped it steadily, for comfort. A Lockdown stalwart - along with toilet paper, chocolate, Schitt's Creek and an uneasy sense of deepening dissatisfaciton with life.
In the last year, I careened wildly from wholesome, healthy and happy; to a sugar craving, disgruntled, bloated, fuming, guilt ridden basket case every month.
Read morePerfectly Imperfect
In 2020 I worked so hard at giving myself the permission to not know what to do all the time. To try things and mess them up. To forgive myself when I'm tetchy or pissed off.
Then randomly one day having poured my Carrot & Peanut Butter Soup, into my favourite cup, I was reminded of a beautiful concept called Wabi-sabi. It's wobbly, uneven, bumpy. Its not perfect. Its a simple design - cup, handle, 5 stars around it. I love this cup despite its imperfections, its the perfect embodiment of wabi-sabi.
Read moreThe pen is mighty
This year has been a wild one – full of highs and lots of feckin lows if I’m honest. But one of the BEST things that’s come from this year for me has been reigniting my passion for writing. Over the last few years, I returned to writing but limited myself to social media posts. As a youngster I wrote poetry & prose lot but sort of abandoned that from my early 20s onwards.
Despite the dips in and out of writing, I’ve kept up diary over the decades. It’s often been full of laments, rants, plans and ideas. It is an incredible way of trying to clear my head.
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