Yoga has a multitude of benefits, and when the physical stretches and poses are incorporated with breathwork and meditation, it's said that its advantages stretch far beyond the physical.
Pair that with the sounds of birdsong, crashing waves, sunshine and a gentle breeze and you have a way to truly disconnect from the stresses of modern life. That's according to yoga instructor Niamh Pollins, who teaches classes on Killiney Beach every Sunday morning, even as the weather sets in.
Niamh spoke to Dublin Live about her unique classes, which started during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more: 'I tried a flotation pod - and it was the most relaxed I've ever been'
She spoke about the general benefits of all type of yoga, but particularly yoga that incorporates elements of meditation.
"We ran it from August up until December. It was like every Sunday at 10am, the sun came out for us," she told us.
"It's an open level so I'll start with the easiest variation for people who are quite new to yoga and I'll give another variation of the posture for people who might have done a little bit more yoga.
"For me, yoga is an escape that you don't really get through gym exercising. It's actually quite challenging to hold a posture. In the gym, you might do a lunge and it's done in a few seconds. In yoga, we might hold the pose for five to ten breaths."
She added: "It's kind of a way to learn about yourself. It's a way for you to connect back into your body. We connect breath and movement and that's what I think makes it different to other forms of exercise."
While yoga has become a popular way to keep fit and reap physical benefits such as toned muscles and flexibility, Niamh likes to celebrate the mental and spiritual benefits during her classes on Killiney Beach.
She explained: "The reason why yoga came about was so someone could sit and meditate for longer, to loosen the body, to make it more flexible so that someone could sit in meditation for hours.
"People might think they're coming for the stretches but the breathwork and meditation is what calms the nervous system than just stretching into a lunge would do."
Speaking about the benefits of teaching yoga on the beach, Niamh said: "I teach facing the people, and when they look at me, what's behind me is the sea. Teaching outside is kind of insane.
"You have the birds, the wind and the waves crashing. That is mirrored by someone bringing you to a meditative state.
"When people decide to go bare foot on the grass, that has a really calming and grounding effect."
Niamh's classes can be booked via Eventbrite.
READ NEXT:
Swan Leisure to revamp Crumlin Swimming Pool under new ownership
Sister Sheds bring free women's fitness classes to St Anne's Park
'I tried kin tape for my neck and shoulder tension - and it worked wonders'
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox
