Developing a practice is a week long exploration of Sati yoga, with a special focus on helping students develop their own practice. Integrating mindfulness (sati in the ancient language of Pali of the Buddha) to the practice of hatha yoga allows us to slow down, deepen our experience and increase our understanding of yoga. The practice of Sati yoga enables us to find a balance between the physical and mental practices of postural yoga and meditation as well as allowing for the transformational possibilities of the practice to enter our everyday lives.

This unique course combines traditional teaching methods alongside innovative and interactive approaches, creating a supportive environment in which students can build their own practice for the first time or rekindle a practice which has been left aside. We will be teaching what we feel are fundamental elements to a balanced practice: including sun salutations, asanas (postures), pranayama (yogic breathing) and meditation techniques as well as the relevance of the yamas and niyamas (yogic ethics). Each course will also be highly individualized according to the experience and interests of the students. There will be opportunities within the formal classes to ‘self- practice’ as well as short sessions between classes when we encourage students to experience being alone with their own practice in the yoga room. The course is designed to be very interactive, with feedback from students encouraged.
Developing a practice is suitable for anyone who enjoys doing yoga and wishes to have a practice they can do outside of attending formal classes. Beginners are welcome, as are those who are experienced yogis but who would like some guidance towards renewing their present practice.
Please note that this course involves periods of silence. To truly gain the benefits of being on retreat, we will also encourage students to turn off phones and any other electronic devices while you are here on the farm.
To ensure students receive adequate individual attention, numbers on these courses are limited to 12.

The cost of this retreat is 780 euros. A 390 euros deposit, payable online by Paypal or by bank transfer, is required at the time of booking.

First day
5.15 pm Depart Roonagh Pier for Clare Island
around 6.00 pm Arrival at Macalla Farm, settle into accommodation
6.30 pm Restorative yoga class with introduction to breath awareness
7.30 pm Dinner followed by introductory talk
9.00 am Evening meditation

Second to sixth day
8.00 am Meditation / breath awareness
8.30 am Morning yoga
11.30 am Brunch, then free time for hill walking, reading, relaxing or private interviews with the teachers
4.30 pm Walking meditation
5.00 pm Afternoon yoga class
7.00 pm Dinner
8.30 am Sitting meditation

Last day
8.30 am Meditation / breath awareness
9.00 am Self practice class
11.30 Brunch
12.45 Depart centre for 1.00pm ferry

Cost of this seven day course is 780 euros, and includes:

• Six nights accommodation (sharing in twin rooms) Single rooms – limited availability, €20 supplement per night
• All meals (delicious organic vegetarian food, all vegetables grown on our farm)
• 14 yoga classes and 7 meditation sessions, equivalent to 34 hours of tuition
• Observance of appropriate social distancing and all health and safety / hygiene protocols to ensure everyone’s safety

On this course you will learn:

• Sun salutations
• A number of asanas which you can include in your daily routine
• How to build a balanced asana practice  (sequencing and structuring, therapeutic effects of various postures)
• How to fit your practice into your daily life
• Basic pranayama techniques
• A simple meditation routine