Peter Walsh Yoga

I carefully plan my classes, which I hold in Trim, Athboy and Kildalkey, so that they are suitable for both beginners and the more advanced student. During the class we will work on different Yoga Postures or Asanas, as well as breathing and relaxation techniques, in a non-competitive and welcoming environment.

I don’t remember when I had my first Yoga class. I don’t remember much from that period in my life. I had suffered a mental breakdown and as a result I don’t remember certain years. I do remember that as part of my recovery programme the psychologist in Beaumont Hospital wanted me to start doing Yoga. My wife had done Yoga in the past and had always commented that Yoga would be good for me. At this stage in my life I rarely left the house and the thoughts of having to go into a room full of strangers filled me with dread.

My first experience with Yoga was with Carmel Finnegan (a YTI trained instructor) in Trim. It was a tough class both physically and mentally. I suffer from several chronic illnesses. I was totality disconnected from my body. I had paid for my five classes but decided that I was not going back. But it was the fear of telling the psychologist that I wasn’t going back to Yoga that made me go to the second class. Carmel once again greeted me with a warm smile and open heart. I don’t think I would have kept up Yoga had I had another instructor. Yoga showed me how to breathe again, how to move again and how to be open to change. After my five weeks I decided to sign up for another five classes with only a little prompting from the psychologist. Over time I started to notice changes in both my mental and physical health. I was and still am on a lot of medication but I no longer felt disconnected. Yoga has not cured my illnesses but has helped me to manage them. I have been told that my condition will continue to degenerate. But I never felt better and more connected than I do now. Yoga allowed me to come back to myself, to accept what had happened to me and the skills to live with what can be a very stressful condition. I don’t think I will ever be able to express how much gratitude I owe to my wife and to Carmel.

In 2011 I decided I wanted to become a Yoga instructor. It was a major turning point in my life. I wanted to show others how Yoga can be a positive life-changing skill to be learned. After talking it over with my wife and Carmel I decided to join the YTI family. Those two years of training where amazing, I learned a lot about myself, life and the world. So when I was asked about becoming a YTI Ambassador for Yoga, I was delighted. Yoga has had such a huge positive influence on my life and I want to share what I have learned and am still learning with others - that yoga is for everyone, it's for every body. As for me now, I don’t know what my future holds, but I’m here now, in this moment and that’s all that matters.

I’m very passionate about Yoga and how Yoga can have a hugely positive influence on our lives. I believe that Yoga is not just about making shapes with our bodies. I believe it's about giving us the skills to deal with the stresses of everyday life and allowing us to develop functional strength and flexibility. I believe its about bringing us back to ourselves. I am privileged to be a Yoga Therapy Ireland Ambassador and, as a Yoga instructor and YTI Ambassador, to help to make Yoga a part of peoples' every day lives.

"Peter’s classes are so enjoyable! The hour-and-a-half goes by in the blink of an eye and at the end of each class I find myself refreshed, rejuvenated and at peace. But what’s even better is that the effects last for days … which is a great encouragement to practise a bit at home! Peter is a really nice man and his great love of Yoga, his warmth and his humour make his classes relaxed, fun and inspiring. Thank you Peter!" Robert Ardill

"The popular media image of a yoga practitioner is of a lithe ethereal girl! This is fine of course, but for an old codger like me who has left the flower of youth behind for many decades its benefits are enormous! Since joining Peter's classes the joy of movement has begun to return to me: many of us really do become seized up in later years. The freeing benefits of stretching and bending started to pay off after only a few classes, and I can enjoy once more even my daily walk with the dog!
The great thing is that the movements are gradual and controlled; they do not have to involve exhausting physical effort if one is not able. Peter allows one to take it at a comfortable pace, if one so wishes, with small breaks if the need arises.
The atmosphere in the classes is wonderful, no doubt created by Peter's obvious love of his subject". Denis Shannon

"Just finished the fourth class with Peter's Yoga! Really enjoying the class and feeling the benefits physically already! I have a long term illness and it is helping with a few of my main symptoms which is a bonus! Every week the class progresses a little more and the difficulty increases just the right amount. You are also given the option in certain poses to move it to the next level if you are able. There is no pressure to do so and attention is not drawn to you if you don't want to. Peter explains all the moves and what they are for etc really well so you don't feel you need to ask any questions. Peter also does a really nice relaxation segment at the end of class like a meditation. I find this to be hugely beneficial and adds to the class! What I find beneficial is I'm really stretched out after, that other exercises don't achieve outside of yoga, I get a great nights sleep and feel full of energy the following few days. Would highly recommend the class for any level of fitness." Claire Smith

"Having never attempted yoga before, I was unsure if it would be that challenging. However, after three classes, I have found it to be very rewarding. Peter’s instructions are very clear and his relaxed manner make the class a productive and tranquil experience. I enjoy being able to put as much into the class as I possibly can with the end result that I am stretched-out and very calm. The meditation/relaxation section of the class is a great addition and I leave the class feeling very positive and a lot more flexible!" Barry Smith

"I’ve just started Peter’s classes recently after I was recommended to take up yoga by my doctor and physiotherapist to help with back pain. Peter is very friendly and helpful, he even showed me a few special exercises to help strengthen my core. After only two classes I can already feel the difference it has made, the pain is almost entirely gone and I feel stronger. Peter’s classes are really enjoyable and relaxing, and although I didn’t expect it, the relaxation has helped a lot with relieving stress and clearing my mind. I look forward to the classes every Monday and they’re definitely a great way to start off the week." Emma Callis

"I have been attending Peter’s classes for over a year now, and they are something that I really look forward to in my week. I have had back problems which have much improved since I have started Yoga – a major plus. Also, my body feels great after a yoga class – all that stretching and exercise does wonders. It’s also great head space, an hour or so out for yourself once a week is invaluable, and the exercises in breathing really does take your stress levels down a notch or two.
Peter is a great teacher, always supportive, enthusiastic and quietly encouraging. He is very patient, and always notices if one of us are in the wrong position!! We are a small group on Fridays, and always have a bit of a laugh during the class as well. I feel very at ease with him, and can’t recommend him or the yoga classes enough." Fiona Moore

"Just writing to let you know how much Longwood Ica members enjoyed your recent yoga classes. All our members except one were new to yoga. The feedback from everyone was that they enjoyed the pace of the class. Each class progressed at a level that was suitable for beginners. You also took into account where participants had old injuries and no one felt under pressure to do anything they were unable to do. The classes gave us a better understanding of yoga for those who wish to continue classes at a later date.
Good luck with your teaching." Longwood Ica

"Greatly enjoyed the Yoga classes with Peter. I have a very stressful job and would arrive at the class tense and uptight. At the end of the class I was always relaxed and could look forward to a good night's sleep. I use the relaxation techniques he taught us every day . All the classes were geared to suit our age group. There was no pressure to attempt anything that you felt was too strenuous. He explained what every movement was to achieve, for example which muscles were being exercised and what benefit was gained from stretching them. I intend to go to more of his classes." Ann Farrell

"Over the last couple of years I have had a number of major operations: these have weakened my muscles and the long periods of recuperation have not done my general fitness much good! I was initially quite nervous of joining a yoga class, but I also felt that yoga might well benefit me. Peter's classes have been wonderful for me: even though he teaches quite advanced yoga, he is also able to let me know what exercises I should be careful of, and when necessary he gives me alternatives that would suit me. This is great for me because I can get the full benefit of the class without feeling that my presence is causing the practise to be dumbed down in any way, to the detriment of others. Peter also offers one-on-one classes and I took him up on that: it was great as he explained to me what I should do in order to strengthen myself, and how to do it safely. I think Peter's classes are wonderful: whether you are young, old, fit or unfit you are sure to get a lot out of them!" Daragh Buttler

"I have only started yoga 4 weeks ago. I never did it before ..Peter made me feel relaxed and to take part to the best of my capability. His instruction took me to places that I never been able to go before. Peter has a great knowledge of yoga and it shows in his teaching. Each week we are stretched a little further and it's both challenging and enjoyable. I feel very relaxed after class....namaste. ..." Melanie Walsh

"I really enjoy attending Peter's classes, they challenge me every week and i find them excellent in terms of being beneficial both in a physical and mental way. Peter gives good clear instruction and its through his instruction i have developed a real enjoyment from Yoga." James McGuirk

"I've been doing yoga with Peter in Athboy for over a year now. I have inherited a stiff and inflexible body and am now have osteoporosis. I find some of the yoga postures impossible to achieve but Peter adapts them and I find this great. As the year moved on I found that I improved a lot and I feel really refreshed after my yoga class. I have built up some of the upper body muscle I had lacked and can now attempt far more than I used to. I would really recommend Peter's classes." Louise

"I have been going to Peter's classes for over a year now, and I look forward to them all week. I go into a class feeling tense and tired from my week at my desk, and leave feeling relaxed and calm, and I always have a wonderful sleep after yoga! Also, it has helped to strengthen my muscles all over, particularly core muscles. I highly recommend Peter's classes." Claire L, Trim

"I am relatively new to yoga but already I am reaping the benefits since joining Peter's class. I love to run but in the last year or so I have been hindered by injury. The class has not only taught me about the importance of stretching but also about strengthening the whole body to avoid chronic injuries. Surprising to myself I also enjoy the relaxing aspect of the class." Brian Kelly

"I have been attending Peter's classes for over 2 years. At the time I was going through some tough times dealing with panic disorder. When I started his classes I had the fear that I'd have to wear yoga pants and be instantly asked to stretch my ankles backwards and around my head or some other bizarre position. Peter put me at ease, assuring me that yoga would help with panic disorder and that the class is my class: 'only do what is comfortable (yoga pants optional)'. Almost 3 years later I'm still going to Peter's yoga classes (panic free) and still enjoying the fun and fitness with the rest of the class. I could not recommend Peter, his classes and yoga enough. A true life safer!" John Donnelly

YOGA for SPORTS: Find out how yoga can improve your strength, endurance, balance and flexibility; reduce your chance of sports-related injury and improve healing/recovery time. So whatever sport you’re passionate about give me a call or drop me an email and see if I can improve your game.

Chair Yoga: Do you suffer from arthritis or another illness that keeps you chair bound? I can show you how to do yoga in a chair. It is important that we keep as much movement in the body has possible and with chair yoga we get a range of motions into the joints of the body. I can show you breathing techniques that can help calm the body and the mind. If this sounds good to you, please call or email me for further details.
Chair yoga is also great for people who work at a desk all day. A few minutes of chair yoga can revitalise tired bodies and minds and all from the comfort of your chair. I can show you movements that can help with wrist and back problems from sitting at a computer all day as well as breathing techniques that can help you beat that 3 o’clock slump. If you work in an office then this is for you. Call or email for further details.

Yoga one-to-one: Don’t have time to go to a scheduled yoga class? No classes available at a time that suits you? Then one-to-one yoga is for you. A session will last 45 mins and in that time I’ll show you how to build strength, gain flexibility, posture awareness and breathing techniques. If you feel this is something for you, then call or email for further details.