This one was written a while back but laziness and ”life” got the best of me and I never ever published it when it should have been published.  My most sincere apologies go out to you all, but more rightfully so to Peter O’Brien and the folks that have been making these magical Saturday mornings at Dartmouth Square happen.

Oh I must share this one with you all!  Not sure what your body-friendly routine may be.  Some people are into running out doors, others meet on a weekly basis with their friends to play tennis at the club (lucky those of you with actual access to a club!), and others like to pump their muscles at the gym.  I used to be the kind that would lift my share of weights and run like a mad woman on the treadmill at the gym back in my US days (God I miss that gym!).  After having skipped across the pond, the facilities throughout my new town leave loads to be desired.  Sadly, the equipment is old, seemingly sexist as the equipment can not be adjusted for someone of my small frame, and to make matters worse, there is no towel service or complimentary classes once you become a member.  The humanity!!!!To make a long story short, I’ve just let go of myself and for the past 2 years I have lived the life of absolute laziness.  I do not count my year in Germany riding my bike everywhere I went as exercise, nor do I count my loads of miles trotted in and around town here in Dublin as actual exercise.  To me, these two latter bits are more a task—- get from point A to point B—— than healthy habits.This past Saturday morning, something amazing did happen to me: YOGA AT THE PARK!

Now, you would think that here in Ireland this sort of thing would be impossible to participate in because of our infamous weather and you may be right.  Fortunately for myself and my fellow yogis, good karma surrounded us on a gorgeous gorgeous day.  Rain was in the forecast, but alas, the water decided to stay above and watch from its more welcomed cloud form.  The Sun, great and mighty figure in our Earth, shone upon us just as if showering us with life,  loads of positive energy, hope and a much welcomed warmth; the kind of thing that can keep you going with a smile in these gloomy economic times.Our instructor was Michael Ryan and he was just phenomenal.  Our set up was quite different from what I had experienced while at a gym studio as we were in a circle; nice move!

Michael was very soothing and thorough in his explanations.  He was very much the cheerleader I needed after such a long absence from the world of Yoga.  I can not begin to describe the level of soreness I am feeling right now, but it suffices to say that it is of the good kind and my muscles are thanking me for this great awakening.

So, a few awesome things from this Saturday Yoga session at Dartmouth Square:

1. It was free.  Yes, there was no cost for the class.  Donations are definitely encouraged though and if it makes you feel better, the funds raised go only towards the upkeep of such a gorgeous and peaceful green spot in this often grey city.

2. There was a true sense of harmony! Michael encouraged team work and he even guided us through a group exercise that challenged us not only physically, but also psychologically —- you don’t hold your neighbor’s ankle very often and neither is your ankle held by another stranger now do you?  At the end of this particular bit, we were all laughing and more relaxed than we thought we had been up until that point in the class!

3.  We got to experience a true Sun Salutation!!!

Some of us were facing the Sun and it gave me such a burst in energy, I could have sworn I was floating as my arms raised to say “What’s up!” to the mighty ball of fire up above us all.  My endorphins were having a blast on that fine morning.

4. We were surrounded by nature!

Remember the smell of freshly cut grass? How about the feel of it breaking through the gaps between your toes with a light touch of the morning mist?  Remember the last time you heard the birds singing without having to deal with the exhaust fumes from the cars around you? We were in a true oasis right smack in the middle of Dublin and without the noisier audiences that can often be found at Stephen’s Green or Phoenix Park.

All in all, this has been the most rewarding and wonderful experience I have had since moving to Dublin and I definitely recommend it to everyone, whether they are here for just a few days on a tourist run (one of my exercise partners was a girl visiting from Barcelona), or if you already live in Dublin but want to try something new.  I can not wait for the next class to come about, as I am sure that it will be yet another memorable experience to keep in my heart for years to come.  Yes, it was THAT GOOD.
So here are the stats…

What?  Yoga at the park!
When? Every Saturday until the end of September at 11:00 a.m.
Where? Dartmouth Square, Ranelagh (Dublin 6)
Who? Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring  their friends!
Cost? FREE!  Though donations for the upkeep of the park are most definitely appreciated.

For more information on Dartmouth Square and its very peculiar history click here.

My thanks to Peter for supplying me with the gorgeous shots of the amazingly positive and bright event and making it all happen.

THANK YOU PETER!!!!

Namaste & until the next one’s published!