Eleonora Sapienza
Born in Italy and moved to Ireland for love, Eleonora discovered Yoga thanks to a project started in her high school. It was in Milan, where she had moved to work in 2009, that the seed planted at school could sprout and, thanks to her first fateful Ashtanga lesson, Yoga began to become more and more part of her daily life.
The physicality of the style chosen is fundamental to arouse commitment and dedication: the challenging positions give the right motivation to return to the mat day after day. As the months pass and the progress of the practice under the guidance of Marianna Borga, Eleonora learns to live the mat as a personal and intimate space of self-knowledge and research, to unhook the practice from the results and to give space to "feeling" rather than to "thinking".
In 2014 she qualified as a Yoga teacher for Kids with the Balyayoga method, starting immediately to teach courses and learning from the youngest the art of living the present. In 2016, She completed her 200hr teacher training in Flow Yoga Alignment Oriented in Milan and begins teaching in several city studios. Always convinced that a good teacher can only be a tireless student, she continues to study with many international teachers including Eddy Stern, Lino Miele, Piero Vivarelli and Olop Arpipi, discovering different teaching methods that have enriched her practice and opened her to new styles and approaches.
She lives her practice as a moment of creativity aimed at exploring always new spaces of body and mind, to be shared with her students.
During her lessons she invites every practitioner to consciously live their personal experience through the tools of breathing, movement and smile
Helena Palmer
Helena is a Cork based Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist and Dancer - Creative Mover. She embarked on her holistic journey in 2006 completing her Master level of Reiki and then completing a Diploma in Holistic Massage. Helena has also been exploring and training in the art of Ayurvedic Yoga Massage and Thai Massage, which combines beautifully for yoga practitioners and the expansion of the practice.
In 2007 she found the practice of yoga and has been practicing ever since. She completed her Yoga Teacher Training in 2014 and is one of the founders and creators of the growing and expanding Yoga Collective Cork alongside Gillian McIlroy.
Helena is a lover of all things movement with ongoing explorations in dance and free form expressive movement.
Where there is movement there is improvement "Keep up" and you will be kept up and "Just breathe"!
Our bodies are our home, its the one space we are completely sovereign over so I believe to keep a happy healthy home movement is key in all it's many expressions.
Helena's study is still on going - she believes never stop learning, keep your mind and body active and enjoy the array of wonderment that life has to offer you.
Gillian McIlroy
A yoga teacher and artist from Co Antrim, teaching in the lovely republic of Cork since 2014! My interest in yoga was sparked in my late teens by my mother's consistent practice, my grandmothers books and my curiosity and impatience. My grandmother had been into Carl Jung, yoga, and was an artist, and though I was two when she passed my mother shared as much of her with me as she could. With my curiosity peaked, I went to the University of St Andrews in Scotland and earned my degree in Psychology in 2004.
I then moved to Mexico City for 6 years where I found much artistic and spiritual inspiration with some of the most warm-hearted welcoming people the world has to offer,and learned a great deal about who I was. I trained in holistic therapies, shiatsu, dance, music, sculpture and painting. In 2006 I began studying under Kushala Camarena and yoga became an essential part of my wellbeing. I returned Mexico to complete my 200hr yoga teacher training with him in 2012 under a scholarship program he offers to one student per training. I have since endeavored to pay forward the help I received through the scholarship system by making classes affordable to those who otherwise might be priced out of the room.
Although Ashtanga is my main training, I actually love all styles of yoga and whenever I get an opportunity to travel I like to try out different teachers and schools. I spent some time on returning to Ireland studying in the Iyengar style and in Cork I got into Acroyoga and Ayurvedic Yoga Massage. I have been working on developing yoga dance workshops with Helena and currently offer this fusion of yoga and free dance as a Monday evening class/playshop!
In all my classes, I intend to convey that what happens in the body happens in the mind and that there is no need to force where there could be ease. Learning how to release unnecessary tension and stress through awareness of the body is a big part of my teaching and there is always a lovely deep relaxation at the end.
Maria Sinnecker
I have been dancing since I am six years of age. I am originally from Berlin, Germany and grew up in the theatre world. My background is in Modern Expressive Dance, Contemporary Dance, Dance Theatre and multilingual Drama.
I lived in the U.S.A. as a child, graduated from a bilingual German-American Partnership School in Berlin (2000), and first came to Ireland as a student (2002). I studied M.A. Drama & Theatre Studies at University College Cork (2006).
In my youth, I mainly danced and performed with Tanzwerkstatt No Limit, Berlin, Germany (1988-99), Rainbow Arts, Raleigh, USA (1992-94), and at Fischhaus, Fabrik Potsdam (1996-97). I later joined the jlling-company, Tanztheaterprojekt Rostock (now Tanzland Rostock) (2001-05) led by choreographer Peter Mann.
Since 2006, I have performed in contemporary dance and theatre, mainly with choreographer Inma Pavon. Most notably in: 5.5.5 Chances, IV Wills, and Inner Landscapes.
In 2011, I began my training in dance and movement teaching in Ireland and Germany. I am certified in Leading Creative and Community Dance, with the Laban Guild for Movement and Dance, Belfast, N.I., kindly supported by Cork City Council (2016), and in Leading Creative Dance for Children, AHAB-Academy, Berlin (2011). I completed CPD in Vaganova Ballet Pedagogy for Ages 8-10 (2018), Community Dance with emphasis on Choreography (2018), Developing Creativity in Children Through Dance (2012), KDS Floor Barre and Placement (2014), among others.
In 2016, I founded Dance Theatre Project Cork (now Starling Dance Theatre).
I truly enjoy sharing my lifelong passion in dance and theatre.
Valerie Kent
Based in Cork city, I have been teaching yoga since 2012. I found yoga 16 years ago at a time when I was completely disconnected from my body and spent far too much time in my head. Yoga gave me tools to find cohesion and synchronicity between my mind, body and breath.
After 5 years of practice, I completed my first teacher training while working as a lawyer. Despite spending over a decade studying and working in law, it was never a good fit. After many hours on my yoga mat, I moved into teaching full-time.
As a mother of 3, I understand that life can be chaotic and frenetic. My personal practice and teaching has evolved over time to create an energetic sense of steadiness through well-aligned asana, breathwork and meditation. My teaching is shaped by my study of classical Hatha,
Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin, Pregnancy Yoga (I trained during my first pregnancy) and most notably Katonah Yoga®. I have completed over 900 hours of training to date. My aim is to give you the tools to orient and organise your interior space so you can function better in the exterior world. When you function better, you feel better.
Having taught in some of Dublin’s most reputable studios, corporate settings and independently, I now live and teach in Cork city offering private one-to-one sessions, group classes and online.
Paula Arozamena
She was a member of the Dance Theatre company of the University of Buenos Aires in the 90’s
During that period she met Alma Falkenberg, her first Contact Improvisation teacher who had trained with Steve Paxton and was responsable to introduce this dance form in Argentina.
Once in Europe Paula trained in CI with Seve Batts and Wolfgag Hoffman. She performed at the Firkin Crane Theatre with Boomerang Theatre Company and with the Safe Harbour Production. Other dance performances: at the Half Moon Theatre, Crawford Art Gallery and UCC. She participated of the Tanztags in Fabrik, Potsdam in several ocations and is also a Tango dancer. She completed her Pilates training in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Leanne Foxwell
Leanne's passion for flamenco inspired her to begin teaching Flamenco for Beginners classes in Cork in January 2020, bringing flamenco dance to the heart of Cork city. Leanne has been studying flamenco dance for over 12 years. Her love of flamenco began at the highly acclaimed school Alba Flamenca in Edinburgh, where she spent 7 years studying flamenco dance and performing in group and solo student shows. Since moving to Ireland she has continued with personal lessons with her maestra Luisana 'La Polaca'. She has had the joy of studying with flamenco professionals including La Truco, Pepa Carrasco, Beatriz Morales, Adrian Brenes, Angel Atienza and many more. Leanne will always say that flamenco is for life; you'll know you're hooked when you start practicing your steps at the shops and bus stop, and when you hear the compás beating in the washing machine cycles! Olé!
Lauren Marples
I started vinyasa yoga in uni and fell in love with the fast-paced, creative flows that challenged my strength & endurance. My interest in health & wellbeing continued to grow alongside my yoga practice. During stressful times, yoga has been a solace for my mind & body; an outlet for anxiety & physical tension by anchoring me to the present through breath, movement & meditation. I started yoga for the fitness and flexibility benefits, and it's really helped me to grow in other ways as well, spiritually and as a person.
My passion lies in helping others and I decided to follow this calling. I completed my RYT 200hr Multi-style Teacher Training in Koh Phangan, Thailand in 2021 under Sarah McLaughlin, where I gained so much more than the ability to teach. I learned about myself and the world in more ways than I could've ever imagined. As a teacher, my aim is to provide my students with the same benefits I gain from my yoga practice: physical, mental & emotional wellbeing. My classes combine strengthening, stretching, creative fun flows, breath, mobility, and traditional yoga poses. I teach Vinyasa, Hatha, Power Yoga and Gentle Flows suitable for all levels. So whether this is your first time on the mat or you have a regular practice, I'm honoured to be your teacher and to see you on the mat!
Marie Grandjean
I am French and started dancing when I was 6, first ballet, then modern jazz at 12, and contemporary dance since I was 18 (won't tell you my age but way beyond that!) in France, London, then Ireland where I moved in 2003.
In Cork I have been dancing mainly with Inma Pavon, and performed in Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Triskel Arts Center, Cloyne Cathedral, St Peter's Cork, Pitch'd Circus Arts Festival and Global Water Dances.
I am delighted to be able to combine my love for dancing and teaching.
Eimear Ní Mhaoldomnaigh
My journey to yoga was a slightly convoluted one… that started with pole fitness. As a child I had done gymnastics and ballet, I had always loved playing and exploring various movements but as a teenager and adult I didn’t really have any such physical outlet, I was just always just fit and active from living in the country and running amuck. Then at 24, I found myself trying to recover from a serious illness, with very little fitness, I had lost muscle, gained weight, my balance and coordination were all out of whack. I was in pain everyday and my relationship with my body had completely broken down, I felt betrayed by and resented her in a lot of ways. I needed to fix this… so I started pole fitness (as you do!), as it was high flexibility and low impact, this introduced me to a whole community in CorkI didn’t even know about. I segued from pole into aerial arts and acro-yoga… and finally yoga! In my first class I found I knew quite a lot of asanas from my various other physical practices and realised that my perceptions of what yoga was had been very wrong! Since then it has become a crucial part of my life, it helps me to connect with and nourish my body and mind, and I love to share the benefit of it with others. I had informally thought for years, drawing upon my experience and skills from my other movement practices. In 2019 I decided it was time to formalise and go get certified but sure we all know what happened in 2020! So here I am now freshly qualified and looking forward to teaching and sharing ever more. In particular I am interested accessible and chair yoga, I believe yoga is for everybody regardless of age, size, shape, gender, fitness, or ability level.
Olya Pereginets
I am a performing artist from Ukraine, based in Cork for the past 7 years. My street dance journey began more than 10 years ago. I have been learning hip-hop and house dance throughout 5 years in Ukraine. We have a very vibrant and rich dance culture there, so I had a chance to attend multiple workshops from top class dancers, perform at festivals and compete in battles.
When I moved to Cork, there were no adult hip-hop classes, so I spent 3 years learning afro dance and fell in love with this style also. I’ve recently started learning heels dance and waacking to enrich my dance vocabulary. Performing arts is the biggest passion in my life and I am so eager to share it with other artistic souls. Come thr.
Shakira Coonghe
My name is Shakira or Shak whichever you prefer. Not Shakira, Shakira though please and thank you 😉
“Self expression through strength training with a feminine touch”
-me, 2022
One of my purposes in life is to guide others to express their own strength. I love seeing people grow through strength training.
My own movement at the moment involves dance isolations, Qi Gong, lifting heavy rocks, strength training, play workshops at Café move, juggling, cycling, sea swimming and skateboarding. What I like to do is to put a feminine twist on the more masculine movements. I do this by being very much in tune with my menstrual cycle and the seasons. Giving my body what it needs on a day to day basis
I am currently studying to be a neuromuscular physical therapist. I’m enjoying the process of revisiting the body as a canvas for touch and self care.
I practiced Taekwondo for 15 years from the age of 7 to 22 years old. I have a second degree black belt and I represented Ireland Internationally.
In 2015, I got my Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Limerick. During my 4 years of University, I competed in amateur boxing and Olympic weightlifting.
After University, I began working at ACLAÍ health and performance in Cork as a personal trainer for 2 years. It was there, I learnt the craft of personal training. I trained every sort of human imaginable. I trained young kids with disabilities, elderly people, professional soccer players, GAA teams, people in wheelchairs, teachers, baristas, nurses, yoga teachers, dancers, swimmers. I wrote 100’s of programs.
During this time I was boxing competitively. I began movement training which encompassed, animal crawls, handstands, muscles ups, irregular squats and lots more. Some days I was clocking up 5-6 hours of training amongst coaching and boxing which wasn’t sustainable. But, it gave me a wide spectrum of movements.
I occasionally return to Aclaí to do workshops or seminars with the coaches and fill in when they’re in need of a coach.
In 2017, I became a self employed personal trainer. I am grateful to have been able to work at Café move in Wilton which closed it’s doors during the pandemic. It was a fun open movement centre for creative coaches to share their work. I taught personal training clients, a strong beours club and the occasional handstand club. Most of all it was an amazing collective space to which I could coach amongst amazing teachers and friends.
At the same time, I worked as a personal trainer at Ballymaloe house. I also taught and continue to teach workshops with the Rebel Wheelers. A non profit charity for kids with disabilities. The kids teach me more than I teach them, for sure.
In 2017/2018, I travelled to Toronto to do a Functional range conditioning course, to Switzerland to participate in the fighting monkey workshop and to Lisbon to participate in a workshop as part of an online movement University which taught a variety of different movements, including juggling, handstands, strongman feats, Wim Hoff breathwork and more.
In 2018, I shaved my head. (looked like a Buddhist nun) I left Cork to study meditation for 8 months in Nepal, Sri Lanka and India in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries, Theravada Buddhist centers and secular schools. It was a pivotal point in my life which has given me lots of peace and a very deep appreciation of life.
The way I teach is very much hands on, I like to connect with my clients by moving each other, guiding each other with touch. Each person’s session is suited to their needs and personalities. Whether you want to learn some weird hard movements, how to squat with weights or rehabilitate an injury. The session moves between yin and yang. I like to finish with some sort of gentler practice; seated breathwork, standing stillness or some Kung fu stances. It is always about what is best for you.
I am so so delighted to be able to coach from the collective. Thanks for having me.
If you’d like to meet me for a chat and consultation, send me a message and I’ll get back to you right away.
“A woman is how she trains”.
