An introduction to Yoga and mindfulness

Not all of us are blessed with a yoga body, so it is natural to feel a sense of trepidation about the prospect of being surrounded in a yoga class by a group of picture perfect yoginis. We all have a tendency to compare ourselves, often unfavourably, to those around us. Luckily, with yoga, the reality is that those of us who least conform to those idealised images on the covers of yoga magazines and Instagram are exactly the people who have the most to gain from yoga:

• Increased flexibility and suppleness
• Relief from joint and muscular pain
• Improved circulation
• Reinvigorated immune system
• Relief from stress and anxiety
• Better concentration and focus
• Rebalanced appetite/ relief from food cravings
• Improved sleep patterns

This workshop has been crafted specifically to gently guide a novice yoga practitioner in the fundamental forms of yoga, with an emphasis on gentle poses which can be mastered by everyone. Tim has a very calm, supportive presence and a methodical approach to teaching yoga. So, whether you have absolutely no experience of yoga and meditation, or would simply like to find out more about them and understand better the underlying principles, this workshop is perfect for you.

Yoga is also as much about mental relaxation as about the physical exertion, which is another reason why Tim encourages everyone to accept where they are physically.  So, if you can’t touch your toes, this might just be the right yoga workshop for you. Modifications of the basic poses will be suggested so that everyone can derive similar benefits from the poses

Food is another vital component of this special experience and we spare no efforts to bring you the healthiest and most delicious vegetarian food, all made by Linda. We can also cater for a wide variety of dietary restrictions with advance notice.

Also important is that we have time to digest, both physically and mentally. To that end we have been careful to build in provision for downtime. Mulvarra looks down on a path which stretches alongside the Barrow River for over 100 Km and passes through some of the most beautiful river scenery in all of Ireland. The perfect tool in fact for passing time with your thoughts while letting the natural splendour of the Barrow River calm you.

And then, there is…. Breath. Part of the weekend will be given over to a discussion of the concept of Prana and how it relates to both yoga and meditation. Prana and breathing are very closely related, and we will also learn some practical techniques for directly working with our prana using different breathing techniques or Prananyama.

Lastly and very much not least, sleep is crucial both physically (for the rest it provides our bodies) and psychologically (for the mental shift it achieves, allowing our unconscious to come out and play). Rest assured you will have sound sleep and lots of it while you stay at Mulvarra. All of our bedrooms are either twin or double and you can choose from shared or non shared option (book early to avoid disappointment). And if sleep has been eluding you of late, you may find that the yogic practice of yoga nidra, another strand of the weekend, has real benefits for you.

All in all a very rich tapestry woven together seamlessly, and delivered in a relaxed and very down to earth environment by your hosts, Tim and Linda. Sure what else would you be doing?

We have three main options for accommodation. We will ensure to match gender in our shared rooms. As we have just one triple room we expect it to sell out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Shared triple room, en-suite bathroom
- Sharing with 2 other people (same gender)
- 270 Euros for the weekend

Shared double room, en-suite bathroom
- Sharing with 1 other person (same gender)
- 290 Euros for the weekend

Non Shared room, en-suite bathroom
- Your own double room and private bathroom, available on a first come first served basis
- 340 Euros for the two weekend

If you are a couple or a group, please email us at info@mulvarra.com or contact us on 00353 (0)51 424936

- 2 Nights stay in one of our comfortable ensuite bedrooms

- All meals and drinks during your stay

- All yoga classes/meditation sessions/ walks/ talks

The closest public transport is the bus or train from Dublin or Waterford to Thomastown . From Thomastown there are taxis available (cost is 25-30 Euros)

Tim Dawson
Tim favours a gentle approach to yoga with poses being held and emphasis on breath focus. Students blessed with greater flexibilty are invited to go deeper into poses, but overall everyone in the class should feel comfortable with where their body is at. Tim trained as a teacher in Classical Hatha Yoga at Yoga Vidya Gurukul in Trimbakeshwar district in India, where he also trained as a Yoga Therapist. He occasionally integrates Pilates elements within classes in order to give more of an energetic workout to core muscles. Tim's overall approach to Yoga flows from Patanjali’s second Yoga Sutra: ‘Yoga chitta vritti nirodhah’: Yoga is the Stilling of the Mind Waves.

In order to book one of the places on the retreat, you must go through the booking form and choose one of our accommodation options by clicking on the booking link at the bottom of this page. Please note that a 30% deposit must be paid in order to secure a place on the retreat. If you are unable to attend the retreat this deposit is refundable, and as long as you notify us within three weeks of the retreat, we will refund your deposit (less a 25 Euros cancellation fee to cover administration costs). However if the cancellation is inside 3 weeks of the start of the retreat, refunding of the deposit cannot be guaranteed, as it is contingent upon being able to fill your place on the retreat.