2018 at the Parable Garden – January and February
6 Week Yoga Course
Beginning Sunday 14th January 2018.
60 euro for 6 weeks.
What to bring? Mats and blankets will be provided, bring your own if you wish. Wear comfy clothes.
Are you curious about Yoga? Have you practiced Yoga in the past and want to feel the benefits again? Are you searching for a self care practice to enrich your life in 2018?
Deepen your connection to yourself and to nature in the safe, peaceful environment of the Parable Garden Retreat Centre.
10.00-11.15 a.m. Yoga Flow and Meditation
11.15a.m. -12.00pm Optional tea, relaxation and forest walk
This 6 week Yoga class will focus on
- Breathing techniques to focus the mind and aid relaxation
- Yoga postures to stretch and strengthen the body
- Guided mediation to relieve stress and tension from the mind and body.
All levels of ability are welcome.
The Parable Garden Retreat Centre is a world away from the busyness of everyday life. It is a perfect place to relax and reset after a busy holiday season. The main hall is filled with natural light with views out to the walled garden and the forest. The wood stove will keep us cosy. Every week there will be the option to take time after class to relax, have a cup of tea and wander through the forest.
Phone Treasa 085 2377300
Relaxation/Meditation for Beginners
Wednesdays 7 to 8 p.m
11th January – 15th February
€10
Relax your body and clear your mind toward a better quality of living.
• Learn how to relax deeply
• Let go of stress, worry and fear
• Achieve positive results in every area of your life
Phone Sandra 086 8553528
Wonder Women- A gentle exploration of a Woman’s inner Soul-scape.
5 Week Course
Beginning Sunday 15th January 2018 2.00-4.00pm
80 euro for 5 weeks.
What to bring? A pen, a journal, wear comfortable clothes.
What is your calling in life? What do you want to be remembered for? Do you know your purpose? Are you connected to the natural world? Do you take time to relax, breathe and savour? Do you feel lost? Is your job, relationship, lifestyle fulfilling you? Do you have a yearning for something deeper? Do you hear the call of the raw, wild, wise one?
Bill Plotkin describes the Soul as the ‘vital mysterious, wild core of our individual selves, an essence unique to each person’.
This five week course will weave movement, meditation, poetry and natural imagery to help reconnect you to your inner self. We will support each other in nourishing our inner world as we reconnect to our bodies, our intuition, our deep longing and innate creativity. Open to Wonder Women of all ages!
The journey will be progressive and will focus on nature as a guide to our inner wisdom and wholeness. Each two hour session will consist of a gentle movement and meditation practise to release tension and stress to get our energy flowing. Afterwards, there will be group discussion and a written exercise based around a topic. Time will be allocated for forest walks and silent reflection. Tea and snacks will be provided.
Week 1: Seedlings. Potential and nourishment. How do you nourish yourself? What seeds of desire do you have? How does your and lifestyle support your inner growth? Do you take time in nature? Do you take time to tune in to your needs? HOW DO YOU REST? Do you take time to be still?
Week2: Forests and Trees. Staying rooted in the present moment as you come to know your authentic self. Are you aware of your thought/ emotional patterns? Do you make decisions out of fear of love? What is the quality of your close relationships? Do you surround yourself by heaters or drains? The importance of staying strong and connected to your inner world to help you navigate the outside world.
Week3: Oceans and Rivers. Tuning into the flow of creativity in life. What is your source of inspiration and pleasure? What is your passion? What is your unique gift? How do you express yourself? How does it feel to create?
Week4: Seasons. Tuning into different cycles in life. Opening up to coping with change and the mystery of the unknown. Understanding your own cycle.
Week 5: Fire and Sun. Burning away and letting go of the things in life which hold you back from living to the fullest. What is your burning passion in life? How do we fuel our passions and live a life of authenticity?
Wonder Women
We are the women who wonder,
Who ask the big questions.
Who spend our lives delving deep,
Searching for our most Authentic, Wild Selves.
We are the Women who wander,
Feet firmly on the ground,
Claiming our place in this beautiful world.
We are the Women who look skyward,
Who gasp at the flight of birds
And marvel at the stars.
We are made of bone and earth.
We are immovable; unshakably rooted.
Our strength runs through our blood and
Through that of our wonderful, wild sisters.
We gather to dance, we gather to praise.
We gather by water, under great Oaks and
Atop ancient mountains,
It is our song that will guide us,
Our song that will save the Earth.
‘A Quiet Word’- Journaling from the Heart
Four Week Journaling Course beginning January 16th 2018.
60 euro for 4 weeks. 10 – 12 am
What to bring? A pen, pencil, markers, a journal, anything that inspires you.
This gentle, guided journey invites you to discover the joys and benefits of journaling in a supportive, relaxed environment. Relax and unwind in the secluded, peaceful surroundings of The Parable Garden. This cosy retreat centre is abundant in nature and free from the distractions of everyday life. It is a perfect space in which to reflect and write.
The course is suitable for all ages and all levels of experience. Whether you have kept a journal for years and are searching for some inspiration, or you have been intrigued by the idea of journaling and aren’t quite sure how to begin, this is an opportunity for you to take time and express yourself through the written word.
What is Journaling?
Journaling is a practical way to stay connected to you inner self, your body, your dreams and your purpose in life. It is not about sitting down and writing pages and pages of poetic language about your feelings. You do not have to be creative, a scientist or an innovator for this practise to be worthwhile. It is about setting aside some quiet time to sit down and reflect and write about your life. You may free-write anything that comes to mind, or choose a specific style, such as recording your day, gratitude or describing something that inspired you. It is not just about pleasant things; it can be a way to process your doubts, fears and struggles. There is no right or wrong, what you write, draw or sketch is completely up to you.
What are the benefits of Journaling?
Journaling can have a profound effect on your wellbeing. According to Dr. James Pennebaker, journaling strengthens immune cells called T-lymphocytes and has been shown to be associated with drops in depression, anxiety and increase positive mood, social engagement and quality of close relationships.
Journaling ought to be spontaneous, raw and authentic. It provides an honest platform to notice what is happening in your inner life- your heart and mind- and examine it.
Journaling is a meditative process that can help us to stay very present and aware of our current life.
It is a critical component of growth and self understanding. We learn by reflection and writing helps the process of self reflection as we give time to think about our thoughts, feelings, reactions, longings, passions, upsets and our experiences.
How is this course structured?
Each two hours session will be structured as follows:
10-10.30: Gentle stretching and guided meditation to release tension and stress from our bodies and minds.
10.30-11: Focus on a theme related to our self development in relation to journaling. The themes will be progressive and will aim to encourage participants to continue journaling after the course. 11.00-11.50: Focus on our writing practise supported by poetry and written extracts. During this section, you will be free to wander through the forest and be inspired by the beautiful natural surroundings of the retreat centre. At the end of each session we will have time for feedback and optional sharing.
11.50-12.00: Reflection, feedback and optional sharing.
Tea, coffee and a snack will be provided.
New Year Retreat- Take time to Relax, Restore and Replenish at the Parable Garden
10.00am-4.30pm Saturday 20th January
65 euro for the day.
What to bring? A board- this can be a canvas, and A3 sheet of paper, the size and shape is up to you. Magazines, photos, poems, quotes, postcards, images. Scissors, glue, pens, colours, paints, glitter- whatever you need to create your board.
After a busy festive season, the Parable Garden is the perfect, quiet place to rest and contemplate the year ahead. Disconnect from your phone and everyday life and reconnect to nature and your inner world as you wander through the forest, relax by the fire and chat over a nutritious lunch.
This full day retreat combines Yoga, Meditation and an afternoon of Vision Boarding with plenty of time during the day to wander through the forest and relax by yourself. A nutritious, vegetarian lunch will be provided. The gentle Yoga practice is accessible for all levels of experience.
General Layout for the Day:
10-10.15 Greetings and Introductions
10.15-11.30 Gentle Yoga and guided Meditation
11.30-12.30 Tea and Forest Walk
12.20-1.30 Nutritious Vegetarian Lunch
1.30-3.45 Vision Board making
3.45-4.00 Feedback and Closing Meditation.
What is a Vision Board?
A Vision Board is an inspirational collage of words and pictures that represent or symbolise the experiences, feelings and possessions you want to bring into your life. Think about your goals in the following areas: relationships, career, finances, home, travel, personal growth, health. There are no rules; you create your board on your own terms using images and words from magazines, the internet, books, postcards, photographs. You can be as creative as you wish, using any type of pens, glitter, stickers.
How does it work?
The best way to achieve your goals is to keep them at the front of your mind so all of your actions are focused on positive growth. By placing visual representations of your goals into one space, you can easily visualise them frequently. Visualisation is one of the most powerful mind exercises that you can do. By putting a Vision Board somewhere you can see it, you will prompt yourself to visualise your ideal life on a regular basis. By adding a visualisation practise into your daily routine, you will naturally become more motivated to reach your goals.
GROUP BOOKINGS
Any group can block book an experience or the facilities we provide at the Parable Garden for themselves. Please ring in advance for details.