In 1999 I gradually felt I needed an activity to help me unwind, release tension and relax. This is what a regular weekly yoga class initially provided for me. In 2008, I discovered Vinyasa Flow yoga (a dynamic, energetic style of yoga that has its origins in the more traditional Ashtanga form of yoga) and this discovery took my enjoyment and love of yoga to a completely new level. In 2004, I discovered pilates and took to regular classes for many years until the yoga calling to teacher training in 2014

Over the years 2008 to 2013, I participated in many yoga workshops and yoga retreats, each experience encouraging and deepening my own levels of yoga practice. I also had a routine Pilates practice during that time. When Frog Lotus Yoga International were running RYS 200-hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training at Durga Ireland (based in Maynooth, Co. Kildare) I decided it was time for me to take the plunge into yoga teacher training in 2014.

In 2016, I qualified as a teacher of pregnancy yoga with Yoga Therapy Ireland. During 2017, I undertook advanced teacher training with Yoga Boann for an additional RYT 300-hour Yoga Alliance Registered. I continue to participate in national and international yoga teacher trainings on a regular basis. I also teach restorative yoga which was part of my original training in Durga Yoga this I found particularly beneficial for myself in recovery from serious illness in 2018.

In 2019 I eventually trained in Pilates Mat level 1 & 2 with the Pilates Teacher Training Institute (Dublin). I always enjoy getting into Pilates mode with the help and guidance of all our talented Pilates teachers at Breathe Yoga & Pilates studio.

 I enjoy every moment of my teaching experiences and I learn something new from every class I teach. My self-practice and meditation have become an essential part of my daily life. Even the challenge of teaching on-line as necessitated by the Covid 19 pandemic of 2020 has opened new possibilities for us all at Breathe Yoga & Pilates.

I discovered yoga in 2002. It was after the birth of my 4th baby, and I was looking for a class to help me get my body back into shape, and yoga was recommended to me. From the first class I was hooked. The practice of yoga not only helped me to strengthen and tone my body but also gave me the tools to cope with the stresses and strains of an increasingly busy life. To me, this is the secret power of yoga. Along with the many physical benefits yoga brings, it also helps to calm and clear your mind.

My new-found love of yoga brought me to study a 6 month foundation course with Yoga Therapy Ireland (YTI), and from there I went on to complete their Teacher Training Diploma. This is a two year course with a total of 500 training hours, certified by the International Yoga Alliance Organisation.

The principle of YTI’s teaching is the safe and therapeutic teaching of yoga, and this is the ethos I bring to my classes. For me, yoga is not all about mastering the most difficult poses but instead using your practice, to the best of your ability, to strengthen and heal both body and mind….. and of course having fun along the way!

Since my initial training I have gone on to train in Mother & baby Yoga, Kids Yoga, Chair Yoga, Yoga for Cancer. Having had cancer myself, I know first-hand, the benefits of practicing yoga while dealing with cancer and chemotherapy treatments.

In recent years I have also started practicing pilates and have completed my Pilates Teacher Training (Mat level 1&2) with Pilates Training Ireland.

 What I enjoy most about teaching yoga and Pilates is meeting people and getting to share the joy and benefits of the practices with them.

I attended my first ever yoga class aged 10 with my Mum in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, and loved it! She had always practiced yoga – attending a weekly class and having a regular home practice – so I suppose it rubbed off on me. I started attending classes regularly in my twenties, firstly learning Ashtanga Yoga and then attending a Hatha Yoga class when I moved to Meath.

After a couple of years I realised I wanted to deepen my practice so I signed up for a 6 month Yoga Foundation Course with Yoga Therapy Ireland. I really enjoyed the course as it gave me a better understanding of yoga practice overall, including breath work & meditation – which I had never really tried before.

After another year of attending yoga classes, I went on to do a 2 year (500hr) Yoga Teacher Training course with YTI which I really loved doing. While doing this course I also took up pilates as it helped me focus on creating strength, tone & stability in my body. It also gave me another perspective on injury prevention through safe movement, which really compliments my yoga training.

I decided then to train as a pilates teacher with Pilates Teacher Training Ireland & completed the Mat Level 1 & 2 Teacher Training Course. Since then, I’ve also completed workshop training in Pilates With Small Equipment (Ball, Fit Circle, Foam Roller & Dyno Band), as well as qualifying as a pregnancy yoga teacher, having completed my training with Yoga Therapy & Teaching Centre.

I’m a keen runner, and like many others I have suffered from the various injuries that go hand in hand with this sport. Yoga has really helped me to overcome these injuries and made me keenly aware of the importance of building strength and creating flexibility in your muscles in equal measures.

Yoga has given me some amazing skills, including learning how to take a pause in life to enjoy the little things, and not to get too hung up on the daily stresses that inevitably happen. I have also met some amazing, inspirational people and made some fantastic friends through yoga.

I started my yoga journey in the year 2000 and I immediately fell in love with it. I deeply enjoy the practice of Hatha and Iyengar Yoga and I felt the positive effect on my mind as well as on my body. I believe Yoga has been an incredible tool to help calm my mind, alleviate stress and improve my health and my overall wellbeing.

My enthusiasm for yoga brought me to want to share with other people the benefits that Yoga can bring. That’s why in 2007 I successfully completed the two and half years Yoga Teacher Diploma with YTTC (The internationally recognised School of Yoga by the Yoga Alliance) In 2011, after studying for a further 18months, I also successfully completed and obtained the Advanced Yoga Teacher Diploma with YTTC.

In 2016 I completed the Yoga for Sport Intense Training Course with Yoga Therapy Ireland.

I’m still a very enthusiastic yoga student attending classes and workshops, and I continue to train in Hatha and Iyengar Yoga with incredibly advanced and well renowned yoga teachers.

I qualified as a Pilates teacher in 2017 with an Advanced Diploma in Mat Work Level 4 (including pregnancy and special populations) from the National Training College in Dublin.  Prior to qualifying as a teacher, I had been attending classes for over 7 years where I discovered the many benefits Pilates has to offer.  I am continually learning and expanding my knowledge through ongoing training and attending workshops within the Pilates community.  I have a real enthusiasm for teaching and enjoy passing on my skills and knowledge to other participants of all ages and abilities.