Rituals for Christmas

A Candlelight Yoga Evening

The Collective Studio
Triskel Arts Centre, Cork City
Saturday 9th December from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
€40

Join us for a special Christmas yoga evening event,
'Rituals for Christmas' by Candlelight
with Carmel & Kathryn

Christmas is a time of joy, family, and celebration but it can also bring the ‘Christmas creep’, the stress, and all the triggers. As Christmas falls in the midst of winter, with the resulting cycle of cold and dark days, this natural ‘downtime’ is an important part of the natural cycle of life. It is a vital time of rest and replenishment to allow for the growth and expansion that comes later in Spring and Summer. Like Nature, we feel a natural tendency to turn inwards, replenish our energy stores and rest.

However, Christmas can be a frenetic time for many of us. Incessant marketing can often create a false bubble that we must feel happy, make others happy, and live up to unrealistic expectations. 

In this evening with our Sangha – Yoga community, we’ll explore yoga practices that will prepare us to navigate what it means to have an authentic Christmas season, with a more loving presence for ourselves and others. Carmel and Kathryn will guide you through a slow, reflective, harmonious blend of yoga and breathwork, helping you find balance & peace in mind and body.

After the yoga session, indulge in delightful Christmas treats to enhance your festive spirit. 

As part of our “Rituals for Christmas” event, we encourage each participant to bring a small, meaningful item from their lives. Together, we will offer these items to our communal altar and create a collective intention of peace and calm for ourselves & the world this Christmas.

It’s a beautiful way to share our personal energies, creating a harmonious atmosphere for ourselves and the holiday season. Discover the power of self-care and relaxation as we embrace the holiday season with open hearts. Don’t let stress dampen your Christmas spirit; instead, let “Rituals for Christmas” be your sanctuary of peace.

All yoga props are provided but bring your own mat if you wish. Please allow time for parking, and don’t worry if you’re running late!

Afterwards, there’ll be drinks and treats! Have some laughs and chats with us as we finish 2023 with our yoga sangha. 

We also want to take this opportunity to say thank you for supporting us in 2023!!

Much gratitude,

Carmel & Kathryn

Chair/Therapy Yoga - 14th September @ 9:45 a.m.

Chair/Therapy Yoga is a moderate exercise that promotes flexibility and strength, and is suitable for all, especially people with limited/restricted mobility or those wanting a gentler pace class and who want to do something about their health and well-being, but cannot, for various reasons, sit on a yoga mat for any length of time.

Classes begin with a warm-up through breathing, stretching, and mobility exercises, and continue with guided movements for each part of the body, using props if necessary with most of the class done seated on a chair. Benefits include improved circulation, increased mobility, improved digestion and enhances brain function. Students are always advised to work at their own pace.

Chair yoga is an open-level class and is suitable for all.

Yin Yoga - 13th September @ 8:00 p.m.

Yin yoga targets your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s a slower and more meditative class, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body.

Because you’re holding poses for a longer period of time than you would in traditional styles of yoga, yin yoga helps you stretch and lengthen those rarely-used tissues while also teaching you how to breathe through discomfort and sit with your thoughts.

Energetically by stretching and deepening into the connective tissue, we’re opening up any blockages and releasing energy Qi ( vital energy) to restore healthy flow. All poses are done seated and poses are typically held for longer to access deeper tissues. The class also focuses on meditation to enhance overall holistic health. The class is open to all levels and can be done after eating and wearing your comfiest PJs!

Dynamic Flow - 13th September @ 6:00 p.m.

Dynamic Flow is a flow class sequencing poses in an instructive and informed way, linking breath and movement with particular attention to functional alignment using alternative ways to explore and enhance posture, flexibility, and mobility.

The class will include both seated and standing poses and some props will be used.

The class includes the fundamentals of breath work and meditation to deepen one’s practice. Level 1-2.