#Perfect balance yoga free#

When asked why she practices Ashtanga yoga specifically, Samantha describes herself as a disciplined person and found solace in the structure of Ashtanga. Yoga teaches balance in all things, in all aspects of our lives and I think for most people this is very beneficial”. Yoga brings balance into people’s lives, physical balance, mental balance, emotional balance. But if I had to pick one benefit, I would say balance. “ People come to yoga for so many different reasons. There are so many benefits to practice: the physical, mental and emotional strength, stamina, flexibility, stress management, improved concentration, the list is endless. People are generally aware that yoga has wellbeing benefits, but a regular, consistent practice over a long period of time is necessary to gain any real and lasting benefit from yoga. But if I had to pick one benefit, I would say balance”. This is what I’m hopefully creating here”. “ In India, a Yoga Shala is a home for wandering yogis, it is a refuge and gathering place for students of yoga to share, experience and grow. In September 2019, after a complete renovation, she opened the doors to her own dedicated Yoga Shala. Finally last summer she took the plunge and took over the lease on a space that had been vacant for more than 12 years. I wanted to create a space that would be a welcoming sanctuary and refuge from the chaos of daily life, open to anyone who wanted to learn about and practice yoga”. “ I always held the dream of wanting to open a dedicated space for yoga in the area.

Samantha has been teaching here in Donegal for 13 years, spending the majority of that time renting community centres, and multi-purpose spaces. I wanted to create a space that would be a welcoming sanctuary and refuge from the chaos of daily life”. With gradual progression it still took took time for her to explore the options available, and after a few more years searching stumbled on Ashtanga where her commitment to regular practice was truly solidified. However it was a change of pace during her first pregnancy, almost 17 years ago, that really brought Samantha back to yoga more consistently. At the start, she held the common misconception that yoga was simply ‘stretching’ and didn’t feel the need to practice it when she was still dance training so intensively. As a dancer, she had a natural draw to the physicality of yoga, and towards the end of her time at university tried practicing on and off for many years. It was a long journey that brought Samantha to her current level of yoga practice. When Judy retired from the state she became a Personal Trainer and specialized in Pilates Instruction.Samantha Harkin, teacher and founder of Ashtanga Yoga Donegal.

#Perfect balance yoga free#

She is able to complete all Pilate’s exercises and remain pain free in her life due to the core strengthening and flexibility she derives from her daily Pilates exercise routine. She personally has total bi-lateral hip replacements and has been diagnosed with several bulging discs as well as disintegrating discs in her back. Judy believes that Pilates is the best method of strength and flexibility exercise. Judy has personally been injured by exercise programs that were led by individuals who did not understand nor obtain proper certifications in their specific area of exercise Instruction. She also requires all her instructors to maintain certification in the physical fitness industry and maintain a thorough knowledge of Pilates. Judy recognizes that if Pilates is not done correctly and safely, the participants can injure themselves. Judy is Balanced Body University Certified Comprehensive Instructor, Certified in all 3 Levels of Reformer Pilates Instruction from beginning to advanced and all levels of Pilates Mat Instruction & all levels of various Pilates apparatus.