Escape to Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara
Nov 27th – 30th 2023
Reset – Recharge – Reconnect with Yoga Mara
The Venue:
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels and a member of Relais & Chateaux. Set in a private 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway. This authentic and unpretentious Castle Hotel stands proudly overlooking its famous salmon fishery, with a backdrop of the beautiful 12 Bens Mountain Range.
During your stay relax in your beautifully appointed bedroom or suite with wonderful views, wake up to the sound of the river meandering past your window before enjoying breakfast in the elegant restaurant. The restaurant was voted Best Hotel Restaurant in Ireland by Food & Wine Magazine in November 2021 and uses the best of local & estate produce.
A stay in Ballynahinch Castle is the perfect destination for an activity break or simply relaxing by one of our six open log fires. Expert guides are available to assist in every activity, on the sea, the mountains, rivers and trails or in the library exploring the rich culture of this spectacular region.
Sample Daily Itinerary:
7:00am onwards: Fresh fruit, smoothies, juice & teas/coffee served in Lettery Lodge.
7:30am: EnergisingVinyasa Flow yoga class followedby essential oil infused head and neck massage.
9:00am: Breakfast served in Owenmore restaurant.
*Time at Leisure* – hike, walk, bike ride, trip to Clifden, relax by the fire…
3:00pm: Breath-Work workshop or Cooking Demo with Ballynahinch head chef, Danni Barry.
6:00pm: Relaxing Yin/Restorative Yoga class.
7:30pm: Dinner served in Fisherman’s Pub.
Yoga & Mindfulness:
Yoga Mara will be offering various styles of yoga and mindfulness practice throughout your Escape. The benefits of practicing different styles of yoga at different times of the day are proven to help with boosting energy levels, aid healthy sleep, and enable complete relaxation and revitalization of the body and mind.
Yoga Mara will also be providing guided meditations and breath-work practices throughout your stay. The benefits of practicing meditation and breathing techniques are endless and we will use this time to make sure you are connecting with your mindfulness practice.
There will be something for everyone!
Benefits of meditation and mindfulness practice include lower levels of stress, reducing asthmatic episodes, physical pain, insomnia, episodic anger, negative or irrational thinking, and anxiety, as well as improving coping skills, focus, and a general feeling of well-being.
Some of the yoga styles we will be practicing together are:
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. Commonly referred to as “flow” yoga, Vinyasa classes offer a variety of postures and no two classes are ever alike. The variable nature of Vinyasa Yoga helps to develop a more balanced body as well as prevent repetitive motion injuries that can happen if you are always doing the same thing every day.
Yin Yoga
Poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body—the tendons, fascia, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. A more meditative approach to yoga, its goals are awareness of inner silence, and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality.
Yoga Nidra
(or Yogic Sleep) is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, like the “going-to-sleep” stage, typically induced by a guided meditation. There is evidence that yoga nidra helps to relieve stress and is among the deepest possible states of relaxation while still maintaining full consciousness.
Wellness Escape Package includes:
- 3 x nights accommodation in private or shared room
- Welcome drinks on arrival night
- 6 x yoga and meditation classes across 3 x nights/4 days with 2 x qualified Yoga Instructors
- 1 x Breath-Work Workshop
- Daily morning fresh fruit platter, smoothies and juices
- A La Carte & Buffet Breakfast each morning
- Dinner each evening across 3 x different locations within Ballynahinch Hotel & grounds.
- All Yoga equipment – mats, straps, blocks, blankets, cushions, face cloths
- Personalised Journal
- Yoga Mara gift bag
