Teachers
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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.

starlingdancetheatre.com/

Margherita Bucci​
Born in Italy but avid traveler she discovered yoga during university and she has not stopped practicing since then. After spending two years in India working as a language teacher, she decided to enroll in her first 200h yoga teacher training. Her bright curiosity brought her to take a master degree in language education but her love for yoga kept growing and it finally became part of her career. Yoga is a tool she reaches for whenever in need and for this reason she teaches and practices different styles: our bodies are unique and they need different kind of movements according to the day. From the demanding routine of Ashtanga yoga to the more relaxing one of Yin, her classes are tailored according to the students’ needs and will always make you feel welcome. She currently teaches prenatal yoga and helps moms-to-be to feel more comfortable, relaxed and confident during the amazing path of pregnancy.​

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! 

Orla  Collins
My name is Orla, and I'm a West Cork chica, offering vinyasa yoga class. I have been teaching in one form or another since 2013. I love bringing people together, and creating a sense of community. Learning, and teaching are my passions. 
I have always had an interest in other cultures, dance and movement. Having spent many years abroad, learning languages, and meeting people from other cultures,I guess, that kept my mind open, and yoga came from there. I began to practice 10 years ago, and continued a home practice, even when work didn't allow for class attendance. Later, I started to use yoga to find strength and stability in the body, especially for running, which I got into while living in Andalucía. Later, I trained to be a yoga teacher, primarily, to advance my own practice, and for pure enjoyment. Et voilà, here I am. 
I enjoy practising in nature, and to music. I believe that breath centred movement, daily, no matter how long or short, is a great gift to give ourselves. 
My Tuesday class will be a well-rounded vinyasa, mixing balance, strength, and flexibility. An understanding of basic poses is useful, as this is an intermediate class. I look forward to seeing you on the mat. For any questions, just send me a DM @orlayoga on Instagram, or try out a free downloadable sample of my teaching, on my webpage www.orlayoga.com. See you soon :) 

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!

Brendan Petrassi
Spanning the dynamic and the somatic, Brendan has a diverse background in movement disciplines that he utilises in his practise and his teaching. Beginning with Parcour in his teen years, gradually more avenues opened up as he began incorporating hand balancing and acrobatics into his practise.

In 2013 he discovered yoga, which opened his eyes to a whole other way of using the body, of connecting and harmonising with it. A year later, Fiona Ashley brought AcroYoga to Cork for the first time. Fortunately, Brendan was in the right place at the right time and ended up at one of the first classes held here.

Since then, for the last 8 years he has pursued AcroYoga with curiosity and passion. His teacher training also spanned several years; completing the Elemental Immersion 5 Day pre-requisite training in Dublin, the next year he travelled to Berlin for the first 10 days of the course and then the following year finished his training with a 10 day intensive in Greece, earning him a 200hr teaching qualification with AcroYoga International.

He runs community AcroYoga jams every month in Cork and is a founder and organiser of West Cork Flow, a holistic, movement-fusion event provider that connects dance, yoga, circus, music and performance in magical and vibrant ways.

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”.