Lismore castle such an imposing sight,

 Overlooking the Blackwater,

Flowing gently along these lush pastures.

There is something very restful about these calm autumn days.

It's been ages since we had such a dry autumn and time to enjoy all the colours,

that deepen with each week.

T'ai Chi and Mindfulness Retreat in Dzogchen Beara Almost Full

Our weekend in Dzogchen Beara is almost full just 2 spaces remaining.
  Taking time to nourish body mind and spirit is never more important than as the winter approaches, days are getting shorter and colder and we prepare to 'hibernate'. This is a great time to turn inwards and reflect on the year that is almost complete, to clear space in and around ourselves so we can be open to a fresh approach to our life. We all tend to repeat patterns in life and the only way to break free is by firstly recognising that we are stuck in the pattern. If we keep rushing around we never have the time to even realise that we are stuck.
In this weekend we will Stop the rushing and racing we will Slow Down as we move, We will Slow Down as we nourish ourselves with food, we will take the time to be fully present in each moment and allow this presence to awaken us to the wonder of life lived fully in each moment.
Take a moment right now to to Slow Down, notice your next breath and allow yourself to really feel it. notice it in your nostrils and in your chest , allow it to nourish every cell in your body. Give yourself the time for even just one l breath makes a difference . Now imagine giving yourself a weekend to breath in the fresh Atlantic Air to take in the vast expanse of ocean and sink fully into an experience of presence.  Join us and give yourself the gift of TIME.

This weekend will be a unique opportunity for you to get to know yourself through stillness, movement, and connection. With T'a Chi led by Ann McIlraith and Mindfuness with Trisha Lyne and fresh, locally sourced vegetarian cuisine by Maureen Fitzpatrick, this retreat promises to be a deeply restorative time for body and mind.
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Weekend Retreat: €200 including all classes, meals and snacks.

Accommodation: There is a wide variety of onsite accommodations available, please contact us for more details.

Contact: Ann McIlraith, 087 6616 800 / taichimcilraith@yaoo.co.uk
Trisha Lyne, 027 71980 / patriciajlyne@gmail.com

Great Day In West Cork

Playing with the ball in a circle. from ann on Vimeo.

We had a great session in Castletownbere today working on softness and connection in this beautiful setting.

A magical misty start to my journey west,  I couldn't resist stopping to take a photo of these cows.

Then they all came running towards me such beautiful curious animals.

The Paps were clear on my way home.

     
                 So soft and mysterious.

Releasing Resistance

Investigating Resistance from ann on Vimeo.

In T'ai Chi practise we investigate resistance. What does resistance feel like physically? When someone pushes you as in the video above, you can respond by pushing back or by yielding (releasing) and 'allowing' the pusher to fall forward. In this practise one aspect of resistance become obvious,  In order to feel resistance you must be pushing back!!!! Wow I can still remember my AHA moment when the truth of this struck me.  If I stop pushing back I can't feel like I'm being pushed. If I yield to life and go with the flow i have stopped resisting.

Resisting things in our life is often difficult to recognise. However as soon as you ask yourself to list the things in your life that you want to change you become aware of what you are resisting.

 Wanting to change or control things and people in our lives is another way of thinking of resistance.

How much time in our day do we 'waste' trying to change or 'fix ' people. Here in Ireland we spend a lot of time resisting the rain, does it work, has the rain stopped? No! And all our resisting does is build up frustration inside of us.

In releasing we remind ourselves to let go of resisting, and allow what is to be.

If this is too difficult we welcome the resistance and really allow ourselves to feel it fully. This is a form of releasing because at least we have stopped resisting our resistance.

If you make a list of the things( and people) in your life that you are wanting to change and let go of wanting to change and or fix them you will notice a change happening.

Firstly you will free up a lot of energy that was being used in resisting.

You will be more present in your life and relationships which will allow you to enjoy your life more fully.

We all feel it ether consciously or subconsciously when someone is trying to control us and we don't like it, it makes us want get away from those people. People feel it from us when we are trying to change or fix them and they don't like it either. When we stop doing this our relationships really blossom.

Mini Form Beginning Lessons

Welcome to the Mini Form. This 'Form' is a great introduction to T'ai Chi it will teach you about  balance, it will connect you to movement in a mindful way. With practise it will open  your awareness to space and silence and all the benefits that presence can bring.
 I am delighted to have you in my class and share this wonderful Art with you all.


Beginning Posture of the Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.

Dzogchen Beara T'ai Chi And Mindfulness Retreat

I couldn't resist a trip to Dzogchen Beara yesterday.

I wanted to soak up the atmosphere,

And feel again the peace and beauty of this special place.

To sit in the meditiaion garden and  nourish myself with silence.

If you would like to experience peace, presence, and connection come and join us this November 11-13 for our T'ai Chi and Mindfulness Retreat . 
 
At this time of year, when the days shorten and the weather gets colder, it's important to nourish ourselves with quietness and space as we reflect on the year that has passed.

This weekend will be a unique opportunity for you to get to know yourself through stillness, movement, and connection. With T'a Chi led by Ann McIlraith and Mindfuness with Trisha Lyne and fresh, locally sourced vegetarian cuisine by Maureen Fitzpatrick, this retreat promises to be a deeply restorative time for body and mind.
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Weekend Retreat: €200 including all classes, meals and snacks.

Accommodation: There is a wide variety of onsite accommodations available, please contact us for more details.

Contact: Ann McIlraith, 087 6616 800 / taichimcilraith@yaoo.co.uk
Trisha Lyne, 027 71980 / patriciajlyne@gmail.com

It was all Autumn mists as we set off to Castletownbere yesterday.

 Dreamlike and Magical,

It doesn't matter how often I see these views they never fail to fill me with wonder at the beauty of this planet.

What Pictures Are you Holding In Your Mind

" The mind is creative and what we hold in mind manifests in our lives ." Lester Levenson

Stop for just a minute and reflect on your inner 'pictures'. Pictures about your world.
How does this inner world look to you. How are you seeing your body ? Is it healthy happy and fit ?
How are your financial pictures ? Abundant ? 
 How are you picturing your family? Do they look happy and fulfilled ?
Becoming more conscious of what you are seeing in your mind gives you the possibility of changing your mind's picture to a more positive one. This is not a form of denial about reality, but an empowering exercise which helps you take control of your inner world  and in my experience seems to also help the others in  the 'pictures'.

I have been practising Lester's method of Releasing Feelings and changing my pictures and I'm noticing how much my world is changing as my inner pictures change.
There are  two main 'schools ' of releasing and I love them both.

Release Technique   and The Sedona Method

November Retreat

Following the success of our Spring T'ai Chi and Mindfulness retreat in the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Centre, we are delighted to announce our Autumn/Winter retreat, taking place this November 11-13.

At this time of year, when the days shorten and the weather gets colder, it's important to nourish ourselves with quietness and space as we reflect on the year that has passed.

This weekend will be a unique opportunity for you to get to know yourself through stillness, movement, and connection. With T'a Chi led by Ann McIlraith and Mindfuness with Trisha Lyne and fresh, locally sourced vegetarian cuisine by a local chef, this retreat promises to be a deeply restorative time for body and mind.
________________________________________

Weekend Retreat: €200 including all classes, meals and snacks.

Accommodation: There is a wide variety of onsite accommodations available, please contact us for more details.

Contact: Ann McIlraith, 087 6616 800 / taichimcilraith@yaoo.co.uk
Trisha Lyne, 027 71980 / patriciajlyne@gmail.com