Positive Life Summer 2025

Welcome to Summer 2025

At Positive Life , we have run events since 2008, formerly Buddha Bag , now known as Positive Nights. The richness of connection at these events has increased massively over the last few years, and I can feel now more than ever how important this is.

Its time now, for us to light up the divine connection within and to see and be with each other. To support, to touch , to connect and to hold.

Finding like hearts, tribes, and connecting, collaborating, and moving forward within this new emerging frequency on the planet with a sense of community. The strength within these connections is powerful, much greater than the sum of their parts.

Feel this Summer issue's theme as a call to connect , on this sacred land. The time is now.

Paul Congdon, Publisher

Contentment

Publisher PC Media paul@positivelife.ie

Co-Editorial Alison McEvoy, Aistė S. Gram and Aisiling Cronin editor@positivelife.ie

Design Conor O’Brien info@conorobrien.ie

Ad Design Caroline Hanan caroline.hanan@gmail.com

Advertising Paul Congdon paul@positivelife.ie 0861579518

Social media Taylor Grimes editor@positivelife.ie

Thanks to our advertisers, we can give Positive Life magazine to you for FREE. If you’re talking to them, let them know we sent you their way.

Please use the information provided in this publication as a recommendation only to better mental and physical health. We strongly advise you to consult your doctor regarding health concerns that you may have. The views expressed by contributors and advisors do not necessarily represent the views of the publication’s staff.

summer vibes

“STEP

OUTSIDE ’CAUSE SUMMERTIME’S IN BLOOM STAND UP BESIDE THE FIREPLACE, TAKE THAT LOOK FROM OFF YOUR FACE

‘COS YOU AIN’T EVER GONNA BURN MY HEART OUT” OASIS, 'DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER'

enticing events

SEARCH FOR THE HEROINE

This autumn, you'll have an opportunity to embrace your inner heroine in the lush surroundings of Donegal. The week-long Heroine's Journey women’s retreat offered by psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher Victoria Smisek aims to help you reconnect with the body, heart and voice. It runs from September 25th to October 1st. The retreat offers 4-7 night stays, with an optional day tripper. victoriasmisek.com

DESIGN YOUR PEACE

The Design of You retreat, hosted by Reiki healer and intuitive Cathy McCarthy, is a four-day luxury and all-inclusive getaway for those who are feeling the pull to explore their soul purpose on a deeper level –through Human Design, cacao, angelic attunements, sound therapy and more. It takes place at the stunning Deer Stone Luxury Eco Retreat in Laragh, Co Wicklow, from September 5th to 8th.

enlightenedheartseer.com

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Meditation centre The Sanctuary on Dublin's Stanhope Street is set to help parents and caregivers through their Youth Conference 2025, which takes place on September 26th. The event seeks to offer a clear approach to understanding child and adolescent development. Speakers include developmental psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld and Brother Richard Hendrick, a priest-friar of the Capuchin Franciscan Order who is also an author and youth programme creator. sanctuary.ie

LIGHT UP THE NIGHTS

At Positive Nights, we have a few gems up our sleeve over the next few months. Two of our leading ladies include author and wellness advocate Barbara O’Neill, who will join us for a two-day event in September, and spiritual teacher Teal Swan, who will be with us for a one-day workshop on September 7th at the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan. Watch this space! positivelife.ie/events

YOGA PARTIES

Yogis rejoice! Moynalty Yoga Festival is coming to Co. Meath, this June, with an impressive lineup of healing events and talks. The Yoga Picnic comes to Lilliput House, Lough Ennell, Co Westmeath, on July 5th. Yoga Fest Ireland, on September 13th and 14th in Springfield Castle, Drumcollogher, Co Limerick is set to offer soul-enriching yoga classes, live music, and an artisan market in the castle courtyard. moynaltyyogafest.ie theyogapicnic.com yogafestireland.ie

health helpers

STORY ARK

When it comes to probiotics that enhance digestive health, ARK Fusion is a favourite of ours. Established by two clinical nutritionists, these products are backed by solid gut microbiome research. The company also offers convenient diet plans, created by nutritionists, to work alongside their probiotics and supplements and help customers achieve their health goals.

arkfusionpro.com

ROBUST BOOST

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the benefits of coffee enemas (check out Antoinette Curran’s take on page 58) and Robusta Coffee is a leading supplier of organic coffee recommended for enemas. Recommended by the Gerson Clinic, they can give your liver a health boost and aid detoxification. robustahealth.com gerson.org

Brother Richard Hendrick

Arkfusion Pro

BREATHE DEEP

Two years ago, our publisher Paul Congdon interviewed acclaimed author and spiritual teacher Prem Rawat in Dublin’s Convention Centre. Now, Prem is back with a new book, Breath: Wake Up to Life’, which serves as a beautiful reminder to take a moment, every day, to appreciate the breath that sustains us.

premrawat.com

tempting therapies

SKY’S THE LIMIT

Sage and Sky Yoga in Co Wicklow, hosted by Jane Lonergan, is a beautiful option for anyone seeking to unwind. We are especially fond of the yoga and sound bath combinations – a deeply grounding and restorative experience. instagram.com/janelonergan

REVOLUTIONARY IMAGING

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging, or DITI, is a non-invasive procedure that uses an infrared camera with a highly accurate heat sensor to detect differences in temperature in the body. The scan can help support injury recovery and aid in the early detection of disease. Dr Jeffrey McTavish, chiropractor and founder of The Windsor Clinic, now offers this helpful service in Dublin.

Go to thewindsorclinic.co.uk or phone: +44 (0)1903 234490

PSYCHED UP

The PSYCH-K healing modality – a unique blend of kinesiology, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom – is one of our good pal Bruce Lipton’s favourite therapies. Practitioner Agnes Burke, based in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, offers this service in a safe and supportive environment that helps individuals to rapidly transform their subconscious beliefs.

yourevolution.ie

ELECTRIFY YOURSELF

PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) technology is sweeping the nation –check out our feature on page 34, which describes in detail the therapeutic benefits and potential of this practice. Cellvital offers a cutting-edge therapeutic PEMF mat for convenient daily use, which is now available in Ireland. Contact paulpositivelife@gmail.com to learn more. cellvital-homecare.com

holistic hubs

DONEGAL DREAMS

Zenergy Health Clinic, a state-of-the-art holistic centre based in beautiful Donegal, offers an integrative and multidisciplinary approach designed to optimise all of the body’s systems. By prioritising open communication and transparent relationships with their clients, the clinic stands out from the pack.

zenergyholistichealth.ie

HOW TO BE WELL

Some people take their dreams and put them into reality. Keith Howell has done just that through his beautiful holistic clinic, Howellness, in Dublin’s Clondalkin. This clinic specialises in providing a tranquil space for practitioners and enthusiasts, and also offers the ever-popular Pranic Healing with Amanda and David O’Connell. howellness.ie

BEST BAKES

Some of the bakeries around Dublin would blow your mind. We were fortunate enough to find a stunning one called Una Bakery in Ranelagh, which served a coffee and a delicious cream bun like no other we’ve tasted recently. Well worth a visit. unabakery.ie

Gordon Neufeld

Victoria Smisek

Design of You Retreat

positively newsworthy

GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.

1 The Sanctuary of Stillness

WORKPLACE WELLBEING.

by Aistė S. Gram

We’d known about the Sanctuary for some time—a peaceful haven nestled right in the heart of Stoneybatter. A hidden gem, where one can walk a quiet labyrinth, rest among gentle trees, and sit in stillness, surrounded by nature and thoughtful design. What we hadn’t fully realised, though, is just how far its roots stretch into the wider community.

Founded in 1998 by Sr. Stan Kennedy, the Sanctuary began as a deeply personal expression of her contemplative practice—a practice that sustained her during years of service to those most in need. Long before meditation and mindfulness became buzzwords, Stan recognised their power to nourish from within, and to fuel meaningful social change.

Today, the Sanctuary is more than a centre for yoga and meditation. It’s a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to foster personal growth for greater social impact. Its offerings range from open drop-in sessions to full-length mindfulness courses, and beyond that, to programmes designed especially

for schools, carers, and frontline workers.

One of its most impactful extensions is its Workplace Wellbeing programme—workshops that guide teams through mindfulness, self-compassion, and creative practices. Whether it’s a full day of deep reflection or a short two-hour sound bath or cacao ceremony, these sessions create space for connection, rest, and renewal.

Through creativity, contemplation, and compassion, the Sanctuary continues to grow gently—just as it was always meant to. In a fast-paced world, it offers something quietly radical: the belief that inner stillness can ripple outward into real, lasting change.

thesanctuary.ie

“these sessions create space for connection, rest, and renewal.”

2 Celebrating Connection

STREET FEAST.

by Aistė S. Gram

There’s something beautiful about neighbours gathering around a table. A few chairs, some home-cooked food, a warm hello—and suddenly, a street becomes a community. That’s the magic of Street Feast, which just celebrated its 15th birthday with events across Ireland this past May.

Since 2010, Street Feast has invited people to take a pause from their busy lives and connect with those just beyond their doorstep. Whether it’s a picnic on the green, a party in the cul-de-sac, or a tea-andscones moment in a shared courtyard, this grassroots celebration of neighbourliness continues to grow stronger each year.

From its humble beginnings to now, Street Feast has sparked over 750,000 connections across Ireland. That’s 750,000 handshakes, laughs, new friendships, and shared meals. It’s about more than a day of fun—it’s a movement to rebuild local bonds and tackle the loneliness and isolation that can quietly creep into modern life.

Behind it all is Neighbourhood Network, the charity that runs the initiative with heart and hope. Their dream? To reach 1 million community connections by 2030, one feast at a time. And the best part? Anyone can join in. The Street Feast team provides everything from party packs to planning tips, making it easy to host an event that’s joyful and inclusive.

As President Michael D. Higgins so beautifully puts it: “We must all by now realise the importance of community, inclusion, creativity and togetherness.”

Here’s to Street Feast—and to the simple joy of saying hello.

streetfeast.ie

“We want to empower people to say ‘hello.’”

3 Breaking Barriers

FIRST DEAFBLIND PERSON TO SUMMIT EVEREST.

by Aistė S. Gram

Karolina Pakėnaitė is on a mission to become the first deafblind person to summit Mount Everest—and her journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Diagnosed with Usher syndrome at age 19, which causes both hearing and vision loss, Karolina decided to live life with purpose. “I want to experience as much of the world as possible before I lose my sight and hearing completely,” she explains. Her travels to Nepal led her to set her sights on Everest, a goal that was both deeply personal and highly symbolic. “No deafblind person had ever attempted Everest, and I realized I had a story to tell.”

Karolina’s journey has been marked by incredible achievements, including completing the London Marathon, the National 3 Peaks Challenge, and summiting Mera Peak at 6,476 meters. “Every achievement brings me closer to Everest. It’s about pushing my limits, physically and mentally,” she says.

Next on the horizon is her climb of Himlung Himal in October 2025. This expedition will be a key step in her preparation for Everest, allowing

her to refine her climbing skills, train with supplemental oxygen, and develop strategies for navigating the extreme conditions she’ll face. “Himlung will help me build the skills I need for Everest and test how my body responds to high-altitude conditions,” Karolina shares.

Karolina is also focused on giving back. Her guide dog, Bosley, has been by her side for nearly eight years, and she’s now working to sponsor a guide dog for someone else. “I want to help others gain the same independence I have,” she says.

As she prepares for Everest, Karolina’s message is clear: no matter the challenges, we all have the ability to rise above them.

“It’s about pushing my limits, physically and mentally.”

Follow her journey and support her mission at deafblindeverestproject.com

positively newsworthy the little things

1 Held by Community

ONE OF MANY, WHOLE AS ONE.

by Aistė S. Gram

I was stressed and upset. I knew I needed to stay home and focus on my deadlines. But I texted a friend, and she told me she was at my favourite little zen place—the one with the soft light, cozy indoors, and that peaceful garden. So I went. The weather was lovely.

As it happened, I stumbled upon an afternoon of Kirtan. I hadn’t planned it. I just sat down and listened. The room was full— people chanting, smiling, simply being. I was still upset, but I wasn’t alone. I felt held, just as I was, with all my feelings. The longer I stayed, the more my stress eased. I even loosened my hair, had a biscuit and some tea during the break. I ran into someone I knew. She shared what was on her heart. I told her what was on mine.

At one point, the projector tripod—holding up the words for those singing—started to tilt. A mother with a baby in her lap tried to fix it, but only made it wobblier. I was sitting nearby and instinctively reached out to steady it. It clicked neatly into place. For me, it was second nature—I work with tripods all the time. I did it automatically, without thinking. But as I sat back and looked at the now perfectly aligned text on the screen, it dawned on me.

All of us have a place in community— some of us sing, some hold space, some open doors for those arriving, some gather the donations, some bake biscuits, some look after the health and safety of all. And some of us are there to offer hugs to those who need

“I can rise again and be beautiful.”

“The longer I stayed, the more my stress eased.”

them. And one of us is here, writing about it all. Community is one organism, but each of us is unique. It’s such a beautiful reflection of what is.

What piece of the puzzle are you? And if you don’t know—how might you discover it?

Thank you to Vamadev, Pranada Das, Niamh, and Bhagavati Dasi from Bhakti Marga Ireland for a gentle afternoon of connection, soulful chanting, and guiding me back to what is.

bhaktimarga.ie

2 ‘That Which Never Dies’

REAWAKEN, CREATE & GROW

Alison McEvoy

If there’s some positive news I wish to share this Summer, and every Summer, it’s the reminder I’m given so generously by each blossoming flower and tree that I pass – the message that I can be reborn; no matter how dark the winter has been, no matter how deep into the mud I have fallen, no matter how ravaged storms have left me, I can rise again and be beautiful.

There have been summers where I could not see nor hear this message. The mud still clung to me and the storms felt ongoing. In those moments I would seek out the words of others, to remind me and lift me up. One of the most powerful messengers I have ever read is Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of ‘Women Who Run With The Wolves’. She has a much lesser-known book, entitled ‘The Faithful Gardener; A Wise Tale About That Which Can Never Die’, from which I’d like to share an excerpt with you.

“What is that which can never die? It is that faithful force that is born into us, that one that is greater than us that calls new seed to the open and battered and barren places so that we can be resown. It is this force in its insistence, in its loyalty to us, in its love of us, in its most often mysterious ways that is far greater, far more majestic and far more ancient than any heretofore ever known.”

Now is the time to gently stir our dormant dreams and potentials. Without pressure or force, just sensing what they need to feel nourished and to grow that bit more. It may indeed take a few cycles of Summer for us to fully embody that which never dies and awaits within to bloom.

clarissapinkolaestes.com

BECOME A BOARD CERTIFIED

spirituality & the city

WHAT DOES COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU?

‘Held by Community’ by Catriona Leavey

As our daughter Aoibhinn, who has special needs including visual impairment and limited mobility, grew, our home no longer met her needs. In the wake of recession, we were unable to secure a loan for the major adaptations she required. Asking for help felt exposing—vulnerable in a way we weren’t used to. But a kind builder friend offered to help and encouraged us to reach out to our wider community.

As a family deeply involved in the community where we’ve both lived our whole lives, the response was profoundly moving. Businesses and tradespeople offered their support and time. Our local clubs, my yoga circle, friends, family and neighbours all stepped forward. Within months, our home became fully accessible—safe, spacious and filled with care, holding a bright future for Aoibhinn’s independence and our family.

More than the walls and floors, you can sense the love in every brick, the kindness in every corner. True wellbeing isn’t individual—it’s shared. We heal, grow, and thrive through the power of community and the deep connection it brings.

Chris Kowalski

I was open minded for most of my conscious life and happy to associate myself with various individuals and groups of people standing for the greater good and an unusual intellectual take on reality. I have always valued this kind of inspiration. I was able to find ideas and concepts which I could absorb, reform and apply into my mindset; ideas from the spiritual, historic, religious, scientific or any knowledgeable sphere impacted me in a very fruitful way. Communities of people sharing ideas always motivated me to seek more questions and step by step move on in my own mindful and spiritual journey into deeper consciousness. Communication with like-minded people quickly turned us into small communities where our purpose was processing answers to our cumulative questions. We collaborated on studies and research into the physical, paranormal and esoteric aspects of life. From such communities I felt plenty of mutual inspiration, contribution, support and comprehension over passing years. It was great to have such a possibility – unveiling together new and unique paths for exploration. I'm happy to think I was once a part of such community.

Siobhan Feeney

To me, community is all about coming together, supporting each other through action or presence, and being part of something greater than me. It’s almost like a beautiful loving net that allows us to feel held and supported, and safe to just be.

A few years ago, I went through a series of bereavements which left me feeling completely stunned and bewildered by grief and loss. Family and friends rallied around, providing support, love and care in whatever way they could. At the same time, other people and situations showed up in my life. Gifting little miracles, insights and healing. Doorways opened into new experiences, reconnecting me with love and joy. I felt the support and care of strangers through kind words, a heartfelt gesture or warm smile. Leaving me wondering if they were placed on my path to simply uplift me in that moment. What remains is this beautiful sense of being supported and held by something greater, a wider more far-reaching community, so it were.

Bruno Justi

Sukhmani Rayat

When I was asked to write this piece, I was leaving my current home in Washington, DC, to visit Leeds, UK, the city where I grew up and first learned to play tabla. In DC, the social and political fragmentation can feel overwhelming. But each time I return to Leeds, I’m reminded of one of my earliest experiences of the power of community.

Here, where I once sat cross-legged among 60 others, with the reverberating skins of as many pairs of hand drums, I was taught that community is a living rhythm. Leeds showed me that culture resides in the body, in the shared pulse of music, memory, and mutual care.

Years later, the place that shaped me is shaping me still. In fractured times, we must nurture relationships with those we can care for, and who can care for us. Community is not a luxury. It is a sacred act of resistance, and a rhythm we must return to.

To me, community means giving with intention and without expectation. It can be as simple as two people sharing space honestly, listening without judgment. Over time, I’ve come to realize that community isn't limited to people I know—or even, at times, to people at all. The more I connect with God—or whatever name one gives to that source—and internalize the truth that all is connected, the more I see community in everything.

Recently, I was caught in a spiral of heavy thoughts at 3 a.m. I asked for clarity. I stepped outside and saw a single night bird singing from the roof. I focused on that, and after a few minutes, I felt tremendous love. I felt held, and I cried. Somehow, observing that bird doing its thing reminded me that everything is part of creation, and therefore, the heavy thoughts were also part of creation and needed nothing more than space without judgment. So I listened, and they slowly rested, and my body relaxed. It was a loving exchange: the heavy thoughts served to remind me of an always-present connection; I served the heavy thoughts by giving space for them to emerge. A tiny community between heavy thoughts, a night bird, and myself.

parent

rescue squads

TRANSFORM YOUR PARENTING STORY FROM ONE OF ISOLATION TO COMMUNITY

by Anna Cole PhD

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

It’s an old saying, but one that feels more important—and more out of reach—than ever. Many parents are doing the hard work of raising children with far too little support. When you’re in the thick of it, it can feel like you’re parenting on an island: sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, and hoping just to make it through the day without yelling or losing your temper.

Parenting is deeply personal, complex work. It begins the moment a baby enters your life and continues – in different but often equally challenging ways – till they turn 21 (and beyond). And yet, our society rarely treats parenting as the vital, demanding job it is. There’s no pay for parenting, no training and no annual leave (in fact, when you do get holidays your parenting workload usually increases!). There’s no system in place when your emotional reserves are running on empty. If you break your leg, help arrives. But if your patience breaks? You’re expected to soldier on. In reality this doesn’t always – or even often – work and we can find ourselves a long way from where we hoped we’d be as parents.

What if we imagined a Parent Rescue Squad – for example, two or three wise former parents arriving at your door, ready to triage the chaos and offer calm, compassionate support? While we’re not there (yet) as a society, we can start to build the kind of community that lightens the emotional load of parenting.

Moving from isolation to connection

Feelings of guilt, confusion, isolation, and exhaustion are all too common for us parents. The good news? You don’t have to fix everything to feel better—but you can try reaching out to start connecting. One

something called a Listening Partnership. It’s simple but powerful: two parents take timed, equal turns listening to one another without offering advice, fixing, or judging. It might sound strange at first, but it is a safe, contained way to hear yourself think as a parent on a regular basis, without judgement and for free. In your turn to speak, you just get to follow whatever thoughts or feelings are there. You could try saying, as an experiment some time: “I’m proud of myself as a parent” and then explore how that makes you feel.

“Community doesn’t have to be grand. It starts with small, real acts of connection”

Pride isn’t a feeling we often get space for, but trying it on for size in a Listening Partnership can allow the feelings that are on the surface to shift away from shame and isolation, toward embarrassed laughter and from there, other feelings can thaw and be released, allowing some space for a return in your confidence and feeling of belief in your wider connection.

Start a parent resource group

If you’re ready to take the next step, consider starting a parent resource group. It doesn’t need to be big – three or four parents is enough. Maybe invite someone you’ve chatted with on the school run and ask them to bring a friend. Frame it as co-learning, not perfection-seeking. Meet weekly if you can, even over a lunch break if you work full-time or in the evening after bedtime, over the phone or on Zoom.

The aim isn’t to solve problems for one another, but to listen deeply, celebrate

you’re not alone. A structured six-week commitment can help you get started and build trust. And yes – it might be tricky to juggle childcare, jobs, and logistics. But it’s worth it. These kinds of groups often become long-term lifelines.

Real-life outcomes

When I started my own parent resource group, it was nerve-wracking to reach out. But what grew from that small step was life-changing at that time. Over time, our group created a childcare-sharing arrangement with three other families at my child’s school. Once a week, each of us hosted two extra kids for a meal and a playdate. We’d meet as a group of mums at the start of each half-term to coordinate schedules so we each got one evening ‘off’ the regular meal time and a longer work day, and that rhythm brought both relief and community into our week.

Community starts with you

Community doesn’t have to be grand. It starts with small, real acts of connection. So today, reach out to a fellow parent. Tell them something you admire about their parenting. Acknowledge their effort. Let them know you see them. Building a parenting community isn’t just about surviving – it’s about creating something beautiful and lasting, together.

Dr Anna Cole is a qualified Parenting Instructor, trained in the evidence-based Parenting by Connection Approach, with Hand in Hand Parenting. Contact her at annac@handinhandparenting.org

finding yourtribe

Life can sometimes feel like a relentless obstacle course rather than an exciting adventure. The daily grind of bills, jobs, and stress can make us feel isolated and overwhelmed. But what if we could shift our perspective and see life as an exciting journey, full of potential and opportunities for growth?

How do you turn your life around?

The key to this transformation lies within you. Your thoughts, beliefs and focus shape your reality. It’s a challenging concept to grasp, especially when you’re in the throes of stress. But by gradually shifting your mindset, you can start to create a different reality for yourself.

Having navigated my own transformative journey – sometimes very badly, but that’s okay, I did my best from where I was at the time – I experienced firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with personal growth. It was a path I initially walked alone, learning and growing through each very wobbly step. Recognising the need for support and shared experiences, I created a community of like-minded individuals.

Now, this community serves as a beacon of support for each other. We’re all in this together, navigating the ups and downs of life, and learning from each other along the way. The impact of this community has started to ripple out, touching the lives of our families, friends, and co-workers.

Here’s a tip for you: start extending yourself to others in small, manageable

LIFE IS MORE FUN WHEN IT’S LIVED TOGETHER.

by Judith McAdam

steps each day. I know this can sometimes be difficult, especially if you are feeling down, stressed or shy, but try a little bit at a time. It could be as simple as lifting your head from your phone and saying hello to people, engaging in eye contact, offering a kind word to a co-worker, a helping hand to a neighbour, or a listening ear to a friend. Every little positive step really counts in this grand adventure of life.

Finding your tribe is crucial. It’s not about shared beliefs or interests, but about finding people who inspire you to think differently and encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.

If you’re looking to create a new community of like minded people, here are some tips:

Be authentic: Authenticity attracts like-minded individuals. Be true to yourself, and you’ll naturally draw people who resonate with your authenticity.

Be open: Be open to new experiences and ideas. This openness will make you more approachable and help you form meaningful connections. Let’s look around us rather than bury our heads in our phones!

Participate: Participate in discussions, events, and activities. Your involvement will help you integrate into the community more quickly. It may push you out of your comfort zone but this is good for you.

Offer support: Be there for others. Offering support not only helps others but also strengthens your bond with them.

Take daily steps: Every day, write down three steps that you can take to change something in your life. No matter how small these steps are, doing something different every day can change the course of your life.

Life really is an adventure. Let’s support each other and make this journey a truly transformative one. If you need more guidance or support, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help unlock the magic within you.

With love, Judith judithmcadam.com

“Be true to yourself, and you’ll naturally draw people who resonate with your authenticity”

There are many benefits of Rolfing, but here we list a few...

Release tension from connective tissues, Resolving chronic pain, Altering and improving posture, Enhancing breathing, Improving your flexibility, Reducing negative effects of stress, Increasing energy, Improving proprioception (body perception), Enhancing neurological function, Providing positive effects on the mind, Creating emotional harmony and much more...

Our customers come from all parts of the coutnry to seek our professional services from our practitioners in CORK - DUBLIN - GALWAY - TIPPERARY - WEXFORD

If you would like to know more about Rolfing and its core benefits to you health, you can simply contact us by email, phone or through our website. info@rolfingireland.ie 086

www.rolfingireland.ie

healthy community or harmful cult?

FORMER SPIRITUAL CULT MEMBER REVEALS THE RED FLAGS..

by Sandy C. Newbigging

I was in a spiritual cult. Since getting out a few years ago, I’ve researched cultic communities to unpack what happened to me, to help others to avoid similar harmful groups, and to understand how ‘love and light’ can, so often, turn dark.

The truth is anyone is susceptible to ending up in a culty community, like the one I was in.

Spiritual communities are so appealing because they teach helpful things, give us beneficial tools, and offer the opportunity to belong and be part a meaningful mission that most people would want - such as helping to make the world a more peaceful place.

It has been said that ‘nobody joins a cult; they join something good’.

For me, I was drawn to the promise of living with more inner peace, and I was attracted to the community mission of ‘healing humanity through the healing of the self’. For my first retreat, I spent three months meditating on an idyllic Greek island. I learned many interesting insights from the team of teachers, led by the charismatic spiritual leader; referred to as ‘Maharishi’. I also made friends and got the best tan of my life.

I was welcomed into my ‘spiritual family’ with big smiles, wide-open arms and complimentary comments about ‘finding my path’ and ‘being an important part of it’. In the early years, I was showered with praise and celebrated for my clarity and ability to teach. I was made to feel special, but in retrospect, I was being love bombed, which is a common tactic of cults to ‘get you in’.

After thousands of hours of meditation and singing countless Sanskrit puja ceremonies, I emerged as a fully-fledged ‘monk’ and meditation teacher. From there, I went on to teach in multiple countries - from Austria to Australia. I share this background because

communities like these are usually a positive experience, sometimes for a few years, with the harmful culty stuff introduced gradually, after you are already fully invested.

I was told that, unless I was lucky enough to be ‘struck by enlightenment lightening’, I needed to take vows to commit to the spiritual path. However, although they were sold as being solely for my spiritual growth, they included the small print vow of ‘surrendering my life’ to the leader of the organisation. Yes, I should have run away then, but I didn’t yet know that cults use spiritual ‘truths’ in manipulative and violent ways.

Once I was ‘in’, the love-bombing stopped, and the tough love started –known in the community as ‘ruthless compassion’. Pitched as being ‘for my highest good’, and an ‘act of love that I should be grateful for’, it was harsh, abusive and demeaning. I was publicly shamed in the group meetings – usually being told I wasn’t committed or surrendered enough. This went on for years, irrespective of what I did to prove my commitment – including moving to a remote part of Spain to live in the spiritual community.

More culty red flags I witnessed and experienced firsthand included: mind games and manipulation, coercive control, mental and emotional abuse, bullying and belittling, confusing contradictions, constantly moving goal-posts, an ‘inner circle’ of secrets, and numerous narcissistic traits in the self-acknowledged ‘enlightened’ guru who ran the whole enterprise. Despite all of this and as with all cults, once you are in, there is no positively viewed exit available. Leavers are quitters and failures who have ‘fallen off the path’.

In the end, I was on the receiving end of the classic ‘us-versus-them’ cult

mentality. When I left, I never heard from my ‘spiritual family’ ever again.

Here’s some questions to determine if you are in a healthy community or harmful cult:

“If you can’t question the leader without consequences, you might be in a cult.”

Can you question the community norms or leader without any shaming, shunning or gaslighting? Are you required to be obedient, relinquish control or surrender yourself to a system or person? Are you free to come and go without any negative consequences? How are the people, who have previously left, spoken about? If it is derogatory then it is a red flag that you should not ignore. Also, what do the people who have left say about the community? Do they believe it is a cult? I recommend you ask them why.

During my fourteen years in the cult, I went from being blinded by the love and light, to doing mental gymnastics to explain away the darn-right wrong and culty stuff I started seeing. I also tried to change it from the inside, until it became clear that the leader was never going to let things change. These days I am free and an advocate for engaging spirituality in healthy and empowering ways. I hope you learn from many wise people and make many life-long friends. I wish you safe travels on your spiritual journey. Visit sandynewbigging.com

”The frequency we emit is the frequency we attract.”

conscious community rising

SOULFUL SUPPORT.

by Amanda Sophia

Community is not just a word, but a sacred container. In my journey through raising consciousness, teaching Feng Shui and geomancy, leading retreats all over the world, and activating spiritual awakenings, I have been blessed to witness the power of community firsthand through circles, retreats, and online forums, an ever-growing web of Beloveds that continue to connect deeply, soul to soul.

I first began with Yoga and Feng Shui circles for men and women. There was no grand plan at the time; it was only a knowing that bringing people together in sacred space would create magic. And it did. From one circle to the next, the energy built. For ten years, I led Full Moon circles and Yoga circles. Friends of friends started to come. From these souls coming together, a family erupted. The pull was undeniable. It wasn’t polished or perfect— it was real. And that authenticity is what calls people home to themselves.

Later on, the world started shifting to virtual realms, and so did we. We adapted, expanded, and moved online. What began in physical rooms became digital sanctuaries. Online communities formed—sacred spaces now accessible in everyone’s pocket. While screens can never replace human touch, what emerged was still deeply intimate. Connection evolved, not dissolved.

When we lead our virtual classes, we intentionally create moments for connection and integration. Breakout rooms allow people to meet each other beyond the content—to share, listen,

and remember they’re not alone. During each training, students are matched with a “soul supporter”—a partner to journey through the training alongside. They do exercises together, hold space for one another, and often remain in connection long after the course has ended.

The truth is: community is vital on the spiritual path. The awakening journey can be raw, vulnerable, and even lonely. But we are not meant to walk it alone. The people we choose to walk beside us can either anchor us into higher truths, or pull us back into old stories. We become like the people we surround ourselves with. The frequency we emit is the frequency we attract.

The women I’ve led through my Celtic program, Divine Woman Awakening, are now stepping into leadership themselves. They’re holding circles with women—and men—guiding them through embodiment, ritual, and spiritual practices.

That’s why community is not just a support system—it’s a mirror, a compass, and a sanctuary.

I’ve witnessed moments during retreats that left me speechless, where one person’s breakthrough led to another’s release. Where someone’s courage to share their truth gave permission for another to speak theirs. These aren’t just connections; they’re soul agreements.

And the most beautiful part? It’s unconditional. There’s no judgment, no hierarchy, no masks. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being real.

We’ve recently entered Period 9 in

the Feng Shui calendar, which emphasizes connection, collaboration, and the rise of feminine leadership. The timing couldn’t be more divine. This is the era of co-creation. Period 9 invites us to anchor into community, own our confidence, and support one another as we expand into new levels of consciousness.

To those walking the spiritual path, I invite you to consciously curate your circle. Let your community reflect your truth. Declutter the connections that drain or pull you back into self-doubt. Seek those who see your soul, speak your language, and walk with reverence.

Because ascension isn’t just about rising up—it’s about rooting down. A tree cannot grow toward the heavens without first anchoring into the Earth. And that grounding often comes through our people: those who hold us steady when the winds of change blow.

So let your community be your soil. Let it be fertile, nourishing, and alive with shared purpose.

As Helen Keller once said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

We rise together. We remember together. We ascend—together.

Amanda Sophia joinamandasophia.com divinewomanawakening.com internationalfengshuischool.com

belonga place to

MEANINGS OF COMMUNITY.

by Margot Tubbiolo

What is any experience worth if it can’t be shared with others? Heartbreak, joy, success, love—these emotions either lose their meaning or become overwhelming when felt in isolation. Community is a difficult subject to explore because it hits so close to home. In Ireland, we feel community deeply. The culture, the humour, the warmth of the people—it’s something special. I’m sure most people feel a similar bond with their own home.

As someone who has emigrated, these feelings often linger just beneath the surface. The sense of being far from home, far from my community, is a quiet, persistent emotion in everyday life. It’s not always obvious, but it creeps in—triggered by a smell, a sound, or a passing moment that reminds me of those I love who are no longer close by. It’s hard to find your centre when everything around you is unfamiliar.

There’s beauty in starting fresh, too. There’s something powerful in building your community from the ground

up—crafted entirely around who you are now. Not everyone gets that opportunity. It can be both a gift and a challenge, and it undoubtedly contributes to growth. I’ve come to feel grateful for nostalgia; to miss something so deeply means I had something truly worth missing.

Finding your people in a new place is an emotional journey. It involves self-reflection, boundaries and bravery. It takes strength to reject company that doesn’t align with who you are, to choose solitude over superficial connection. It forces you to ask: How much do I value myself? What do I truly deserve? I don’t think I’ve fully figured that out yet. I’m still in the process of building a support system where I am now. That takes time, patience and oftentimes, trial and error. You don’t arrive somewhere new and immediately find your village.

My community is still back home, yet I’ve built a life here—and that sometimes creates a strange disconnect.

I wonder: how many people does it take to make a community? As I said, life is about sharing moments. In my daily life, I do that—with my partner, my colleagues and even through the small, familiar interactions with people who know me by name.

Could that be a form of community in itself? Even though I miss my family and friends, have I already built more than I’ve realized here? Maybe it’s worth asking ourselves: do we have more people in our lives than we think? People who see us, who value how we move through the world and who are part of our community in ways we didn’t expect.

Maybe community is more than just where we’re from or who we grew up with. Maybe it’s all of it—layered, evolving, expanding. And maybe, if we keep building, we’ll always have a place to belong.

“There’s something powerful in building your community from the ground up—crafted entirely around who you are now.”

Positive Nights presents…

SYNCHRONIZATION WORKSHOP

GET READY TO SHIFT AND UPLIFT YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS

SUNDAY

7th SEPTEMBER

10.30am - 5.30pm TALBOT HOTEL STILLORGAN, DUBLIN

SYNCHRONIZATION WORKSHOPS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO:

· Come to new insights that can catalyse transformation

· Connect with hundreds of like-minded people

· Participate in exercises that facilitate deeper connection with both yourself and others.

· Engage with the group energy as Teal Swan answers questions that are a vibrational match to your own problems and desires.

Connect with hundreds of like minded people and create lifelong, authentic relationships. Transform your life by learning about and applying cutting edge knowledge and tools for your daily life. Expand your knowledge about the human spirit and experience the ultimate breakthrough in your life.

toolkit nature’s

CONNECT AND CREATE.

by Aistė S. Gram

A friend of mine works at a forest school, and honestly, I think it’s the coolest thing. When I was a kid, those kinds of places didn’t really exist around me. Maybe they were out there somewhere, but I certainly didn’t grow up with them. Now, as an adult, I find myself learning to appreciate parks and forests all over again - like old friends I’m just getting to know in a new way. I walk among trees, sit in their quiet, let the wind mess up my hair a little. I listen. I notice. And something inside begins to soften. So I thought this time I’d share a few simple, soul-nourishing ways to blend creativity with the natural world. These aren’t just for kids (though kids are naturally brilliant at this!). These are for anyone who wants to feel a little more connected, a little more alive. For anyone who’s ready to make something with nature, not just in it.

First, always begin with observing. When I was in drama school, one of our lead tutors gave us this assignment: “Just observe. Don’t interpret. Don’t fix. Just see what’s there.” Try that next time you're outside. Watch how the light moves across a leaf. Notice the sounds you usually block out. It’s amazing what begins to bloom from that kind of quiet attention.

From there, you might try:

1. Creating a Nature Altar

Gather a few things that speak to you - a feather, a stone, a fallen leaf - and arrange them somewhere meaningful. A windowsill, your bedside table, the middle of your picnic blanket. Let it be a little love letter to the day.

2. Sketching or Crafting with Nature

Bring a notebook and sketch a tree, or collect fallen petals and twigs to make a tiny sculpture. It doesn’t have to be “good,” in fact, the more “imperfect” the better.

3. Making an Elemental Ritual

Touch water. Dig your hands into soil. Feel the wind. Light a candle if you like, or just sit with the elements and let them speak to you in their own way. Ask if they have any wisdom for you.

4. Giving a Gift Made from the Earth

Find a shell or a piece of bark. Add a little melted soy wax or a secret note tucked inside. Make a nature-candle or a tiny talisman. Give it to someone, just because.

5. Creating a Mandala in the Wild

Use leaves, berries, stones - whatever’s around - to shape a temporary piece of beauty right there on the forest floor. A small surprise for whoever stumbles across it next.

6. Writing or Singing What You Felt

Let your experience spill into words. Maybe a little poem, maybe just a sentence or two. Or hum a tune that matches the breeze. Nature doesn’t mind what it sounds like - she just loves being part of it.

These are just seeds – you’ll have many beautiful ideas too. We forget, as adults, that we’re allowed to play. That we can make art just for the joy of it. It doesn’t need to be perfect or permanent. So go outside. Let Gaia be your co-creator. She’s generous like that.

Aistė S. Gram is a writer, actress, filmmaker, and intuitive coach. Subscribe to her creative newsletter, Heron of Bath, here: heronofbath.substack.com

“Let Gaia be your co-creator - she’s generous like that.”

DOWN TO EARTH

HEALTH FOOD STORE & HOMEOPATHIC DISPENSARY 73 South Great George’s St. Dublin 2

PHONE: 01-671 9702

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 6.00pm

Closed sundays and bank holidays

• Acute homeopathic service

• Qualified homeopaths in store 6 days a week

• Over 800 homeopathic remedies in the dispensary

• Crystals and incense and salt lamps, also available

• Wide range of homeopathic creams and herbal tinctures

• Helios kits

• Flower and crystal essences (Bach, Healing Herbs, Australian Bush Flowers, Indigo, Crystal Light)

• Superb range of vitamin and herbal supplements

• Nature’s Plus, Viridian, Biocare, Higher Nature, Wild Nutrition, Together, Terranova

• Liposomal C

• The LifeMel Range

• A wide range of vegan and vegetarian food supplements and cosmetics available

• Selection of dried herbs

• Wholefoods, speciality foods & superfoods

• Eco-household products

• Organic skin care and body care

the spaces between us

THE

EMERGENCE OF AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY.

by Dawn Cartwright

““I Thou” is…you at your most authentic: earnest, alive and quietly awake to the world around you.”

Some mornings, perhaps every morning because you are the kind of person I’ve come to know you to be, at that precise moment when the sun begins to rise and the birds begin their morning chorus— you pause. For a moment, the soft, pink glow and twittering melodies become a symphony inside you, no longer separate or distinct from who you are.

Evenings, sitting at the kitchen table after a long day, when the one you love walks up behind you, wraps their arms around you and cradles your head against their chest. Here it appears again, that moment where the ‘you’ and the ‘I’ dissolve—and the space of we appears.

It once happened to me in a pub, in County Wicklow. A session was underway and as I walked up to the bar, a man with a honey golden tenor turned to me and sang the most beautiful song ever sung. The pub, the tenor and the song disappeared and only beauty was. Beauty I’ve carried with me for thousands of miles.

Transcendent Experiences

Austrian-born philosopher Martin Buber illuminated the deeper meaning of such transcendent experiences in his revolutionary essay “Ich und Du,” later translated as “I and Thou.” This work introduced his philosophy of dialogue—a way of being that creates genuine connection through authentic encounter. Writing in post-WWI Europe, amid a landscape fragmented by cultural divides, Buber proposed that true healing could emerge only through interpersonal relationships where human beings meet one another without qualification or objectification—where we encounter each other as we truly are, rather than as categories or functions.

Buber introduced two central ideas in “Ich und Du.” The first was “I-It”—the relationship we form through naming, labeling, and categorizing our encounters.

This mode allows us to describe a car’s make and model, a building’s dimensions, a cloud’s shape, or a colleague’s personality traits. The “I-It” relationship organizes our world and makes it comprehensible, providing an important foundation for navigating daily life. Though necessary, ‘I-It’ becomes limiting when it hardens into pure objectification, causing us to lose touch with the incredibly intelligent, alive, and ever-changing reality.

If you’ve ever felt labeled, or put into a box, if you’ve ever experienced assumptions made because you are a certain age, a certain gender, a certain religion or a certain marital status, if you’ve ever avoided eye contact, a conversation, an invitation, because you’ve already decided the outcome—you were temporarily lost in an I-it world which doesn’t actually exist.

Buber’s second and most transformative concept was “I-Thou.” In his groundbreaking essay, he used the German word “Du”—the intimate form of “you” reserved for family and close friends—later translated as “Thou” in English. “Thou” designates not the social persona but the essential presence—the you rarely revealed yet always present beneath roles and labels. It’s you at your most authentic: earnest, alive and quietly awake to the world around you.

I-Thou is recognizing this same spark in others and in nature. It’s standing before the sea with such receptivity that you feel the surf in your body without stepping in. It’s touching your lover with an awareness so complete that waves of sensation ripple through both bodies simultaneously. It’s listening to a friend share business dreams with such presence that their vision becomes momentarily yours.

This is the deeper experience of I-Thou, where the spaces between us dissolve and something new emerges from our sacred dialogue. According to

Buber, this is the fertile ground where true community is born—not from shared interests or ideologies, but from genuine encounter.

Authentic Community

Buber felt strongly that the spaces created by I-Thou awareness ignite an inner tension, an existential longing. When time stops and we become part of the experience we’re having, we realize the relationship expands beyond the sunrise, the lover and the tenor—it is an intimate encounter with existence.

These encounters are not merely pleasant interludes, but revelations of our deepest potential. In these moments of genuine connection, the boundaries we so carefully construct—professional identities, social roles, carefully crafted personas—momentarily dissolve, revealing something more fundamental and true about who we are and who we might become. It reveals the possibility of something more—a community based not on what separates us, but in the experiences we share in our most authentic moments.

The next time you pause for the sunrise, sink into an embrace, or find yourself transported by music, remember—these moments are not just beautiful breaks from “real life.” They are calling you closer to what community can be when we meet each other, and the world, without preconceptions. Moments like these are invitations to step into the spaces between us, where we truly meet one another and open to what we can become—together.

Dawn Cartwright is a NeoTantra visionary, sacred writer, world traveler, and innovator in SelfActualization-NeoTantra fusion. Subscribe to Dawn’s “Be Fully Alive” podcast here: Tinyurl.com/DawnCartwrightPodcast

networks the power of

Community is the cornerstone of human experience. From the earliest tribes to modern neighbourhoods and digital networks, the concept of community has shaped how we live, work, and relate to one another. At its core, a community is a group of individuals connected by shared values, interests, geography, or goals. But it is much more than just proximity or commonality – it’s a dynamic force that fosters belonging, support, and collective growth.

One of the most profound aspects of community is the sense of belonging it provides. In an increasingly individualistic world, people often find themselves feeling isolated or disconnected. Community offers a remedy to this by creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether it’s a local neighbourhood, an online forum, a school, or a workplace, communities help people anchor their identities and find mutual support.

Communities also serve as powerful networks of mutual aid. In times of crisis – such as natural disasters, health emergencies, or economic hardship – it is often the strength of community that determines how effectively people can respond and recover. Neighbours helping neighbours, volunteers stepping in to

FINDING CLARITY.

by Grace-Anne Kelly

fill gaps, and grassroots organisations mobilising resources all exemplify how community action can have a tangible impact on people’s lives.

Moreover, strong communities contribute to personal and collective development. They are breeding grounds for ideas, creativity, and innovation. By bringing together people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, communities can solve problems more effectively and foster resilience. Education, public health and environmental initiatives, for instance, often succeed or fail based on community involvement and engagement.

Another essential element of community is shared responsibility. Being part of a community means more than benefiting from its support – it also means contributing to its wellbeing. This can involve acts as simple as checking in on a neighbour, participating in local events, or volunteering time and skills. These actions not only strengthen the fabric of the community but also provide individuals with a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

In today’s digital age, the definition of community has expanded. Online platforms now enable people to connect across geographical boundaries, forming virtual communities based on interests,

experiences, or causes. While these communities may lack physical proximity, they can still provide profound emotional and informational support. However, they also bring challenges, such as maintaining authenticity and avoiding echo chambers, which highlight the importance of fostering healthy, inclusive environments both online and offline.

Ultimately, the strength of any society lies in the strength of its communities. Investing in community development – through education, inclusive policies, and infrastructure – can lead to more equitable, compassionate, and resilient societies. In a world facing complex global challenges, nurturing strong communities may be one of our most effective strategies for creating lasting, positive change.

In conclusion, community is more than just a social construct – it’s a vital, living network that shapes who we are and how we thrive. By recognising its value and actively participating in it, we can build a future that is more connected, caring, and collaborative for all.

“community is more than just a social construct – it’s a vital living network”

Instagram: @graceannekelly

THE HEALTHY LIFE BOX

IN MIND

coming home to each other

WE ARE NOT MEANT TO DO LIFE ALONE.

by Alison Canavan

For too long, we’ve worn independence like a badge of honour, thinking that needing others makes us weak. But the truth is, real strength is found in connection. We grow when we’re seen.

We heal when we’re held. And we expand when we are in safe spaces that allow us to show up exactly as we are — messy, magical, human. That’s the beauty of community.

When I speak or teach, I often say that one of the most powerful shifts we can make is from “I” to “we.” Because while inner work is deeply personal, it’s also incredibly relational. We mirror each other. We learn through each other. And we rise faster when we rise together.

I’ve seen it time and again — in retreats, workshops, coaching circles. When people gather with intention, something alchemical happens. There’s an energy that lifts us beyond the limitations of the mind. There’s a resonance in the room that reminds us we are not alone in our struggles, our hopes, or our dreams.

In today’s world, so many of us are craving belonging. We scroll and search and consume, hoping to feel connected — but nothing replaces the medicine of real, heart-to-heart presence.

That moment when someone looks you in the eye and simply says, “Me too.” That moment when a group breathes together, meditates together, or moves through an exercise and experiences a collective shift.

Community becomes the container that holds our transformation.

It allows us to go deeper. To be braver. To break through patterns that may have held us back for years. Because in the presence of others, especially those doing their own work, something opens. We remember who we are underneath the masks. We soften. We listen. We stop performing and start connecting.

There is also something deeply healing about being witnessed.

Many of us grew up in environments where our emotions weren’t validated, where our voices were silenced, or where we felt we had to earn love through achievement or people-pleasing. But when we gather in conscious community, we’re rewriting those old stories. We’re saying: you are enough, simply because you exist. We’re offering each other a space to be seen without judgment. That kind of witnessing is powerful. It creates new neural pathways. It literally rewires our nervous systems to feel safe again.

And when we feel safe, we grow.

We take bigger risks. We express our truth. We let go of old habits and step into the fullness of who we are. That’s why I always say: healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in connection. In community, we’re not just sharing space. We’re co-creating a field of energy that supports growth, awakening, and lasting change.

So today, I invite you to lean in. Find your people — the ones who celebrate your light and hold you in your shadows. Create space in your life for soul-nourishing connection. It doesn’t have to be big. It can be one circle, one gathering, one walk in nature with a friend who gets it. These small moments add up. They shift your frequency. They anchor you.

Because when we come together with open hearts and aligned intention, we don’t just change ourselves — we change the world.

And that is the true power of community.

alisoncanavan.com

“ When people gather with intention, something alchemical happens”

LYNNE MCTAGGART

THE POWER OF INTENTION

Full day workshop

Learn how to influence your life and those close to you by using the power of your intention.

Lynne McTaggart is an award-winning journalist and author of seven books, including the the international bestsellers The Power of Eight, The Field, The Intention Experiment and The Bond—all seminal works in the New Science and translated into 30 languages.

SAT, OCT 18, 2025

9:30AM TO 5:00PM

sleep is your ally

RECEIVE THE ABUNDANCE OF YOGA NIDRA SHAKTI.

by Alison McEvoy

Fresh from the Yoga Nidra gathering with Uma Dinsmore Tuli in Dublin yesterday I find myself restored on all levels of being. Uma is something of a living legend when it comes to Yoga Nidra. She has written an entire encyclopaedia of Yoga Nidra which narrates the worldwide meanings and manifestations of this practice of communion with Nidra Shakti, the “Queen of dreams, dark feminine power of sleep.”

THE POWER OF SLEEP

When we lie down to rest, we disconnect from the ‘noise’ surrounding us which pulls at our attention, disorientates our heart and defocuses the unique and creative impulse that resides within us. Instead, there is a Reconnection with All That We Are. Thus, through the practice of Yoga Nidra we began to realise that rest is sacred, rest is revolutionary, and rest is an act of defiance.

“Just as the land beneath our tired bones has been owned and sold, thieved from us and rented back to us, so too has sleep been stolen from us by the lords of profit.

Untimely ripped and dreaming still we are bleeding from the roots of interrupted sleep, of insufficient hours of rest.” (‘Decolonising Sleep’ by Uma Dinsmore Tuli)

RECONNECTION VIA REST

Of the All That We Are which Yoga Nidra attunes us to, intuition is a powerfully ally which we need to navigate our way through life. Intuition tells us ‘This, not That’, ‘Over here, not over there’ in the most subtle and nurturing of ways. It is our “inner sat nav” as Uma calls it.

Busyness, an over filled to do list, robs us of our connection with this inner guidance whereas rest, space and time calls us home to intuition, to comfort, to healing and indeed to all that gives and supports life and the life force within us. In Uma’s song of praise to Yoga Nidra Shakti she lists one hundred and eight powers that reside in rest.

“Let us move with respect and awe through the Lands of Nidra Shakti, for she has endless power…Here begins the naming of the ways She nurtures human lives through all times and in all worlds: She who eases our pain – I honour Her. She who comforts us in our suffering – I honour Her. She who heals our wounds – I honour Her. She who cradles our grief – I honour Her. She who disentangles us from the knots of worry – I honour Her.”

(‘Generous Abundance’ By Uma Dinsmore Tuli, from Kith Review Issue 1 Autumn 2022)

REST TO RETURN

“As we rest, we become the bed of the ocean of old knowings.”

The more, the deeper we rest, the deeper into dream we allow ourselves to go, the restoring our of ability to move through and not get stuck in the tangles of being human, the griefs, the worries, the wounds, the deeper we come to the “old knowings”, the truest meanings of being.

“And how to do that? Thankfully, it’s simple. The best way to encounter Nidra Shakti is to lay down and listen to Her for yourself, and hear her whispers in your ears…She has a home over here on Yoga Nidra Network – look for the free Yoga Nidra library.”

yoganidranetwork.org

“The best way to encounter Nidra Shakti is to lay down and listen to Her for yourself”

Angel Whispers

Ivers

Psychic and Mediumship Readings

Angel Card Readings Psychometry

Rahanni Energy Health

Reiki Energy Healing

Contact Mary: 0879034462

Email: ivers.emary@gmail.com

Online Zoom / WhatsApp and one-to-one Readings

Gift Vouchers also available

sacred

transmissions

ACTIVATION & AWAKENING WITH ANGEL RAPHAEL.

by Alison McEvoy, interviewed by Paul Congdon

“[Raphael] was beautiful and loving and eased all our worries and fears.”

Kelly Kolodney has been channelling the Angel Raphael since 1989. At the time, Kelly wasn’t able to widely broadcast her channelling experience. However, Raphael assured her that one day she would be able to tell people that she “talks to an angel” and people all around the planet would be ready to listen.

Now is that time.

GREAT AWAKENING

Raphael came as a “messenger of light… to align with anyone who was open to receive messages…to pierce the veil, to start to open up energy so that when the masses were ready there would be a great awakening.”

When we awaken into awareness of the true nature of things, outside the ‘stories’ we have been told and the points of view we have inherited unquestioningly, we find a truth which sets us free and makes a deeper sense out of the life we live, the body we inhabit and the soul that we are.

It can be small at first, a change of perspective, a deeper understanding, which allows is to live the life we are currently living with far greater ease and trust. Nothing may have changed but the way we see our life has completely transformed and deepened, allowing us to live through our circumstances with grace, courage and appreciation. For many years, people would come to Kelly’s home and she would channel for them; “It was beautiful and loving and eased all our worries and fears,” says Kelly.

“I had two women that would come and both of them had non-verbal, autistic children. They would come with concerns of how to deal with this. And Raphael would come in and said…’don’t worry, he’s a complete, beautiful, enlightened, divine master who is working with other children all over the world…for the ascension process of the planet. He is very busy and very active, he’s just in a different plane doing it. You are anchoring him here energetically, caring for him…so the work he is doing he’s able to do there but energetically bring it to earth.’”

As more and more people began to ask to speak with the Angel Raphael, these one-to-one readings turned into groups… into zoom calls…and today Kelly speaks to hundreds and hundreds of people online from all over the world.

We are living a great awakening and it is not always easy to find our way into the “current of miracles” where we can face

the changes with ease and see the magic unfolding;

“I feel that we are in such a huge transition right now on the planet that anything I can do that would be of a comfort to those who don’t know how to handle these changes…I’m willing to do it. The information is supportive for people.”

MAGIC IN THE MUNDANCE

Kelly describes life as “an infinite eternal unfolding of our own divinity.”

The angel Raphael helps us to uncover this view of life, to see in each unfolding moment, and especially the challenges, that all is here for our growth and emergence into greater and greater awakening.

“When we zoom out to the furthest degree everything is ourselves. We can’t separate ourselves from what’s happening. In some ways it’s a forced awakening…”

Where we encounter control, manipulation, systems and red tape, structures designed to herd us into a particular mentality, we can see this too as an aspect of ourselves, explains Kelly. One designed to force us to wake up to our own agency, power, authority and self-responsibility.

This, crucially, involves “letting go of the victim mentality…ultimately we can recognize that everything is working for us and by us…it completely shifts our paradigm and the way that we view things and the need to grip onto fear or victimhood or lack is not even there anymore and you can let go and trust that whatever is unfolding and however it’s going to unfold was designed by us for our greater good.”

SHIFT IN HEALING

When it comes to healing the body, this paradigm shift also serves to remind us how to approach any dis-ease in our bodies.

The most powerful thing a person can do to heal themselves is, as “Raphael says, it really comes down to loving ourselves and integrating whatever it is that we are resisting that’s creating dis-ease in the body that’s trying to get our attention.”

“If we can make the shift to ‘I hear you, I recognize you, I know you’re sharing something with me, I love you, what do you need?’ Those simple things make such a huge difference.”

Kelly believes dis-ease begins in the emotional/spiritual realm and thus when

dis-ease turns up in the physical body, it has existed before in the ethereal body.

Kelly speaks of the nervous system (NS) as of huge importance for the awakening of humanity and shifts in healing;

“The NS is where life-force energy flows. It connects to all organs, cells and tissues. It’s imperative…Some people’s NS are filled with so much light and they are really dropping into their light body and so that makes them very sensitive, awake, telepathic, connected, all these things. A big portion of humanity has stepped into a whole new body, in a way, a light body with an upgraded NS. Simultaneously, within the polarity of all things, there are so many people whose cortisol levels are off the roof…who are really having a hard time… The NS is key to spiritual connection and communication. It’s really important.”

RAPHAEL SPEAKS

Raphael spoke with us directly during the last few moments of our chat with Kelly. He spoke of the increasing importance of engaging with our communities and neighbours in a collaborative way. To gather, connect and celebrate in order to open new pathways for collective union. To share our talents with our communities, revitalize old traditions and indigenous ways of being, and in this way create little “cities of light” operating outside of the current systems and paradigms.

Raphael spoke of Ireland as a “Sanctuary” and “refuge” which enjoys a high frequency – an “Isle of light” – and says that the children being born to Ireland at this time are bringing even more light. Raphael encourages us to drink the “primordial waters” of this land, untouched by human hands and of original source. These waters contain light codes which we can absorb into our bodies and accelerate our awakening.

Ultimately, Raphael and the collective energetic group of angels are ‘here’ to support us. To help us live, awaken, ascend and grow. The next great gathering will be the summer solstice activation where you are invited to gather in sacred union wherever you are, or alongside Kelly and Raphael online. All are welcome! theangelraphael.com

we are electric!

THE POWER OF PEMF HEALING TECHNOLOGY.

by Ines Gilke

“Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another.” — Albert Einstein

What if your body’s energy wasn’t just biology — but a map to the soul? Explore how bioelectricity, frequency, and PEMF technology reveal a deeper truth: we are made of rhythm, intelligence, and resonance — and awakening this current may just fasttrack your healing, clarity, and spiritual evolution.

The Forgotten Field: A Life Force Hiding in Plain Sight

There are days when, even after a long night’s sleep, you wake up feeling strangely tired; the mind is slow to catch fire and the body feels distant, as if disconnected from its own rhythm. You breathe, you move, you think — but somewhere inside, the vibrant flow of life feels dimmed. This fatigue is not only physical - it touches emotional, mental, and spiritual layers. It’s as though the body’s natural music, once strong and luminous, has softened into a distant echo.

Modern life — with its unseen waves of stress, tension, environmental toxins, and digital overload — gradually wears down the subtle energy that sustains us. And without even noticing, we begin to lose touch with a vital spark — the bioelectrical force that powers every cell, every heartbeat, every thought. Science gives this spark a name: membrane potential — also known as cellular voltage, or the electric charge held by the cell membrane. When we nurture this inner charge, we nourish the body’s capacity to heal, regenerate, and thrive.

We Are Bioelectric Beings: The Pulse Beneath the Physical

Imagine every cell in your body as a tiny, intelligent battery. Each one holds a subtle yet essential electrical tension — a membrane potential — which fuels the most fundamental processes of life; absorbing nutrients, expelling toxins, sending messages and healing wounds. When this potential weakens, the whole system slows down. Healing becomes inefficient. Inflammation increases. Fatigue sets in — not just in the body, but also in mind and spirit.

What is this invisible charge? It is bioelectricity — the language of life, the pulse of cellular intelligence.

The term may sound modern, but it describes something ancient. As the physicist and neuroanatomist Harold S. Burr wrote in the 1930s; “Life and healing are governed by electrical fields.” This “electro-dynamic field,” as he called it, is not metaphor — it is measurable, and deeply linked to our biology and consciousness. Scientific research, including studies published in Bioelectromagnetics Magazine, has shown that PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy can restore damaged membrane potentials, helping cells regain their rhythm and regenerative power. Deeper still, this repair is powered by mitochondria — the tiny power plants inside our cells. NASA studies (Goodwin et al., 2003) have shown that electromagnetic stimulation can boost mitochondrial function, increase ATP production, and accelerate tissue repair.

In essence: restore mitochondria, and you renew energy. Support membrane potential, and you revive cellular communication. Balance bioelectric charge, and you awaken vitality.

“Cellvital delivers gentle, frequencyadaptive pulses that reflect Earth’s natural rhythms”

From Field to Practice: Cellvital Technology as Daily Ally

At the frontier of this discovery stands Cellvital — an advanced PEMF system designed to harmonize with the body’s deepest bioelectrical needs.

Rather than overwhelming the system, Cellvital delivers gentle, frequency-adaptive pulses that reflect Earth’s natural rhythms — including the Schumann resonance, but also cellular

oscillations, ion exchanges, and internal bioelectric signaling. The body recognizes these patterns and responds naturally, restoring internal balance without resistance.

With its broad spectrum of carefully tuned frequencies and intelligent modulation, Cellvital acts not as a mechanical force but as a subtle resonance — a soft invitation for the cells to awaken, recharge, and reconnect to the rhythm of life.

Energy is Spirit in Motion

Energy is not just a mechanical phenomenon. It is the bridge between body and spirit — the silent current that carries life, thought, emotion, and awareness.

Modern science, once focused only on chemistry and structure, is now rediscovering the guiding role of bioelectricity. Technologies like Cellvital are part of this quiet revolution — offering tools not just to heal the body, but to reconnect with the deeper current of life. To care for this energy is not only to preserve health, but to honor the sacred architecture of vitality itself.

Reclaiming the Rhythm: A New Way of Living

A short Cellvital session in the morning, paired with conscious breathing. A midday reset, dissolving accumulated tension. An evening pulse to invite cellular regeneration before sleep. Combined with hydration, mindful eating and rest — these become not routines, but rituals. By restoring the body’s energy field, we restore the connection between cells, mind, and spirit.

And perhaps we remember again that healing is not a destination, but a return — to rhythm, resonance, and the music of life.

Cellvital.com

Cellvital-homecare.com

Contact Ireland: Paul@positivelife.ie

the show goes on

by Aisling Cronin

Finding kindred spirits is key to navigating turbulent times with grace. Few troubles cannot be eased by a compassionate conversation, bonding over shared experiences, and perhaps having a chance to formulate a plan of action with someone who understands where I’m coming from. Time and time again, I have witnessed the wisdom of the old adage, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’.

This pearl of wisdom has implications beyond our personal lives – in our places of work, too, finding common ground with those around us is pivotal to overcoming challenges. When a group of like-minded people come together with a shared sense of purpose, magic can happen. Solutions abound.

The past five years have thrown some curveballs in the direction of those involved in the holistic lifestyle and health food industries, but throughout it all, the community has found ways to support one another. There is tremendous value to be gained in sharing lessons learned – and allowing new inspirations to flourish.

The Natural Health Trade Summit, taking place this autumn, offers the opportunity for anyone connected with the holistic living and health food trade to converge for a day of discussion, learning and networking. The event is set to take place at the Crowne Plaza, Dublin Airport on Sunday September 21st.

Exhibitors we’ll be looking out for include: Happy Tummy – who have been making waves with their BioGaia dental lozenges, formulated to help maintain optimal oral health; Healthreach –providers of D-Mannose supplements, a form of natural sugar that can help

stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut; and Solaris Tea – creator of some truly delicious and invigorating tea blends.

Another company we'll be catching up with at the show is PPC Galway, makers of the Eskimo brand of fish oils. Jamie Webster, area manager of Nourish, said: 'On a personal note, their liquid fish oil made a huge difference for my daughter's skin. Since taking the oil, her symptoms have completely cleared and have not returned. I can't recommend Eskimo highly enough'.

Health stores have long served as a valuable hub for the holistic community, enabling people to come together and educate themselves on how best to support their wellbeing. We will be glad to see many of our favourite stores attending the Summit to share their latest news.

“The goal of the Summit is to encourage growth and collaboration”

Among them are Food For Life in Co Kilkenny, run by husband and wife team Carmel Rose and Abbas Ghadimi, provide a range of alternative and complementary treatments right above their health food store. Bee Healthy, Monaghan’s first independent health food store, owned by registered homeopath Ingrid McCann. Apple Farm, based in Co Tipperary, is another firm favourite.

The goal of the Natural Health Trade Summit is to encourage growth and

collaboration between all of the individuals and businesses who attend. They plan to do this by facilitating networking opportunities and round table discussions: informal and relaxed sessions between holistic health professionals, designed to encourage open questions and discussion.

Experts in retail and health food have been invited to lead these discussions, which are free to join – no pre-booking required.

Over one hundred natural brands are set to exhibit at the event, showcasing their new product launches and special show-only offers.

The Summit is still accepting applications from health food stores and holistic businesses who wish to take part. Anyone who is an independent health store owner, buyer or employee, a nutritional therapist, a student of nutritional therapy, a pharmacist or someone who sells natural products is encouraged to join in, as the Summit is currently Ireland’s only event dedicated to holistic businesses.

What’s more, the Summit is also offering free shuttle buses from Dublin Heuston train station to the venue. You can register on the event website to receive more information by email.

In both general life and in business, support and collaboration can help us to meet our goals and stay focused – for those involved in the holistic health field, the Natural Health Trade Summit provides a golden opportunity to learn and grow.

nhtsummit.ie

Herbs, Homeopathy and Health Foods

88 Glaslough Street, Monaghan Town, H18 AD70

Monaghan’s only independent health food shop, with in store herbal and homeopathic dispensaries. We also stock a wide range of select supplements, skin care, health foods and local crafts.

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 09.15-17.00 and Saturday 10.00-16.00

Phone: 04783634

Email: beehealthymonaghan@gmail.com

Instagram: @beehealthy88

Facebook: Bee Healthy

Both Food for Life Health stores are open 6 days a week from Monday - Saturday

Kieran Street, Kilkenny 10am - 6pm Green Street, Callan 9.30am - 6pm

Do drop in, we would be very happy to assist with your health concerns

We also offer Homeopathy with Abbas Ghadimi - Kinesiology with Carmel Rose

Our clinics are in Callan and appointments can be made by phone or on our website. www.wellnesscentre.ie or Phone 056 7725777

Sonas Health Foods Shop and Coffee Bar in Newcastle West takes pride in presenting the best brands, stocking an array of quality products, many produced locally in West Limerick.

Our shop is a hub for lovers of ambiance and good coffee, wholesome treats, savouries and salads made daily from scratch. All this alongside an array of nutritional and herbal supports.

The Square, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, V42 Y685 www.sonashealthfoods.ie

Opens 8.30-6 Monday-Friday and Saturdays from 8am-6pm

community and purpose

DEFINE A CLEAR GOAL.

by Matt Smith

Community is a word we throw around a lot, especially in the world of nature, health, and sustainability. But it’s often vague. A warm, fuzzy placeholder. In reality, community only starts to make sense when we define what kind of community we’re talking about. Is it a community of place? A community of practice? Of purpose? These distinctions matter.

I’ve spent most of my life in and around different kinds of communities. I live and work in the west of Ireland now, where I lead a nature restoration charity called Hometree. Before that, I spent nearly a decade at sea, living on boats and moving between tight-knit sailing crews. I’ve lived on community-supported farms, with people who ate together, worked the land together, and shared tools, ideas, and compost bins. Each setting had its own kind of community. And the differences weren’t just philosophical, they were practical. They shaped how we communicated, made decisions, and stayed together.

One of the most powerful lessons I learned while sailing was around purpose. When you’re on a boat, the purpose is obvious. You’re going from here to there, and you want to get there safely and in one piece. That shared purpose shapes the whole experience. It sets the tone for how you make decisions, how you manage conflict, and how you support each other. If you lose sight of the purpose, or if people have different understandings of it,

confusion creeps in. And from there, it’s a short step to frustration, resentment, and chaos.

It’s no different on land. In my work with Hometree, we recently hired a new Head of Community. One of the things that stood out in her thinking was how she broke down the word community into its different meanings. It made something that can feel abstract very real. We realised that for Hometree, there are multiple communities to think about.

There’s the ecological community – the plants, the animals, the soil, the water – all of it impacted when we plant trees, restore land, or put up fencing. We aim to make that community more complex, more abundant. That’s the baseline. Then there’s the human side. Our staff, of course, but also the local people living in the areas where we work. That’s a community of place. They might not always love what we do, or how we do it,

but if the dialogue is open and respectful, we’ve got something to build on. You don’t have to agree with your neighbour about everything, but you do need to park your car without blocking their drive.

“If the dream is clear, if the purpose is honest, people know where they stand”

To me, community only works when you can clearly answer a few simple questions: Why are we doing this? What are we doing? Who’s involved? Where and how are we doing it? And when? If you can’t write that stuff down, then it’s just vibes. People can’t buy into something they can’t see or feel. But if the dream is clear, if the purpose is honest, then people know where they stand. They can say yes to joining in. Or no. Both are fine. It’s the not knowing that breaks things apart.

Matt Smith is the CEO of Hometree Charity. In 2013 Matt also co-founded a regenerative agriculture farm. Matt is a published writer and owns an annual ocean-based publication. For a decade Matt has been a consultant and ambassador for Finisterre, a UK ethical clothing company. Matt holds a foundation degree in Natural Science and recently completed a ‘critical leadership’ course with Cumbria University with Prof Jem Bendell.

hometree.ie

Over 50 peer-reviewed studies on the health benefits of cider vinegar. Use about 30ml daily. Available at

Trade enquiries welcome.

The Apple Farm Cider Vinegar

light & bright!

SUMMER RECIPES.

by Maggie Lynch

Maggie Lynch is Director of Cooking at the International Institute of Nutrition and Health www.iinh.net. Here she shares two super quick and healthy summer recipes.

MEDITERRANEAN BAKED FETA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES & KALAMATA OLIVES

Serves 4 as a main course (8 as a shared starter)

Ingredients:

• 400g vine cherry tomatoes (mixed colours look nice)

• 1-2 large beef tomatoes, sliced on the round

• 60g semi-dried cherry tomatoes

• 60g kalamata olives, pitted

• 1 tbsp capers

• Few sprigs torn thyme leaves

• 400g feta block, divided in 4

• 150 – 200 ml extra virgin olive oil

• ¼ tsp garlic, crushed to a paste (1/2 clove)

• ¼ tsp chilli flakes

• ¼ tsp dried oregano

• 1/8 tsp turmeric

• Salt and pepper to season

• Small handful fresh basil leaves to garnish

• Char-grilled sour-dough to serve

Method;

1 Preheat oven to 200°C (fan).

2 Scatter tomatoes (including semi-dried), olives, capers and thyme in a shallow, ovenproof baking dish and gently toss. Make a few little gaps among the tomatoes and tuck in the feta pieces.

3 In a jug, mix the olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes, oregano and turmeric, then spoon the mixture over the tomatoes and feta. Season with salt and pepper.

4 Place in the oven and bake for 15 - 20 minutes, until the feta is soft when pressed and the tomatoes are gently bursting from their skins and slightly caramelised. Serve with chargrilled sourdough, a crusty baguette, or your favourite gluten-free bread.

Maggie’s Tips

• This dish is best served right away while the cheese is still gooey - but it’s still really delicious when cooled.

• To bulk out this dish add a tin of cooked beans – e.g. cannellini, butter beans or chickpeas – at stage 2 and cook as normal. Or, if you have some leftover pasta (orzo, penne, macaroni particularly good), add it in and gently mix through about 5 minutes before the end of the cooking process.

• This dish will keep up to 5 days in your fridge.

QUICK & HEALTHY KNICKERBOCKER GLORY

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 400g full-fat yoghurt, or soya/coconut yoghurt

• 1 tsp honey, maple syrup or orchard apple syrup* Opt

• 250g raspberries

• 100g strawberries (4-5 large berries)

• 100g blueberries

• 50g homemade granola or good-quality shop-bought version

Method;

1 Gently blend or mash half the raspberries with half the strawberries. Stir in honey or syrup to taste, adjusting depending on how sweet your berries are.

2 To assemble: Layer the yoghurt, mashed berries, whole berries and granola into two tall glasses. Keep going till you reach the top - or beyond...it’s all about the wow factor! Great fun to make with the kids.

Maggie’s Tip

• When berries are out of season, frozen berries work just as well - just let them thaw and taste first as they can be a little more tart. Add a little honey or syrup to sweeten if needed.

• Don’t get caught up with the weights and ingredients - play around with what you have!

If, like Maggie, you are passionate about wellness and enjoy sharing tips on food, cooking and nutrition, could you see yourself as a Nutrition & Health Coach or Nutritional Therapist using cutting-edge knowledge and skills to help others restore health and quality of life? IINH’s fully accredited, industry-leading courses (see below) blend science, holistic health and practical coaching techniques for a unique and immersive learning experience.

• BTEC (level 6 Ire) Professional Diploma in Nutrition & Health Coaching: www.iinh.net/nutrition-courses/nutrition-healthcoaching

• Crossfield’s Institute (level 8 Ire) Diploma in Nutritional Therapy: iinh.net/nutritional-therapy

Join other passionate, like-minded individuals and learn from experienced tutors committed to your success. Flexible online learning with weekly live sessions and personalised support allows you to schedule study time as you wish.

Inhale In. Exhale Out. Relax. Return to you.

Revitalise your workforce: Unlock peak performance with tailored wellness programmes that energise and transform!

Customised Wellness Packages include:

Golden Tera-Mai™ Reiki

Arts Facilitated Therapeutic Workshops

Sound Healing

Visualisation and Focused Meditation

Law of Attraction Practices

Pilates

Breathwork

Ready to boost performance and transform wellbeing?

Book now and energise your team!

wellnesspartnersireland.ie

short & sweet 43

“People feel more focused, calm, and ready to take on the day”

Collective healing A RESTORATIVE GROUP EXPERIENCE.

Wellness Partners Ireland, led by four Reiki masters – Fionuala Lennon, Rachel Kelly, Justyna Galuszka and Sinéad Fitzgerald – is a healing collective with a difference. Fionuala says, “We empower communities and organisations through dynamic group healing led by four Reiki Masters, blending ancient energy work with modern wellness tools”.

The group’s approach differs from traditional one-on-one treatments; instead, they organise transformative programs designed for both small and large groups. Golden Tera Mai Reiki is at the core of their

programs, but each of the four bring their own areas of expertise: sound healing, art facilitation, Pilates, Law of Attraction teachings, and breathwork.

As Fionuala explains, their goal is “making holistic health accessible to a wider audience. We have adapted our programs to enhance healing, boost confidence, and promote overall well-being”. Their offerings are ideal for community gatherings, corporate wellness programs, festivals, or special events.

“Many people tell us that these experiences help them to clear their head

and get back on track. They feel more focused, calm, and ready to take on the day,” Fionuala adds.

The group’s packages can be tailored to suit the specific needs and scale of each group, whether by aiming to reduce stress and anxiety, or by aiming to boost creativeness and productivity.

Explore their offerings and book a group session at wellnesspartnersireland.ie.

“After breathwork, as you slowly release stored emotions, you begin to experience safety in your body.”

Make room for breath

EXPERIENCE SAFETY, RELEASE AND HEALING.

by Alison McEvoy

After spending a full day at the Wild Wise Woman Dublin retreat this March with Nadia Haugh and her cohort of compassionate co-facilitators, I recognized Nadia as a profoundly nurturing, authentic and experienced breathwork facilitator. Nadia is a certified facilitator and trainer with the Breath & Consciousness Academy and a qualified nutritional therapist and reiki practitioner. She is a member of the International Breathwork Foundation since 2014 and the National Representative for Ireland. In 2018 Nadia established the Breathing Room in County Dublin, from which she offers individual and group Conscious Connected Breathing.

The Breath is a Bridge Nadia understands the powers of breathwork to connect individuals back into the body and the heart-space. Once reconnected, we are brought into the presence of what lies within and beneath the surface of our lives. We can explore the roots of our sufferings and release deep seated emotions that have been left stagnant for far too long.

“When you’re breathing constantly, over breathing, it creates a little high but also slows down the thinking brain so the unconscious, stored emotions can surface…we are able to pay attention to what the body is storing on a cellular level and release that through the breathing.”

Before Breathwork

When we are living with a large amount of stored, unprocessed emotion, experience or trauma which we cannot see, or perhaps have a sense of but do not know how to slow down and find a safe, compassionate space to allow it to release - we can often be living in a state of dysregulation of our nervous system (NS), stuck in the sympathetic fight, flight or freeze mode.

“Our NS is there to help us to survive and to always be aware if our environment is safe,” explains Nadia. We need it to activate into the Sympathetic Mode when we become aware of stress or danger or something that needs doing such as meeting a deadline. We need it to switch off again, go into Parasympathetic Mode, naturally and organically, when we are safe and at ease so we can relax again, connect and socialize.

“A healthy NS can go in between modes and know ok, now I’m going to mobilize, now I’m going to rest, now I’m going to make my deadline. As a result of trauma, the NS stops working properly. We might feel all the time in danger or stress, even when there’s no threat. We are never able to slow down, connect with others or ourselves. Breathing is retraining the NS to come down out of fight or flight and start regulating again.”

After Breathwork

“For me, the breath can very quickly bring you from the Sympathetic mode into the Parasympathetic mode, from fight or flight, into oh, I am safe.”

After breathwork, as you slowly release stored emotions, you begin to experience safety in your body. Your NS begins to move more freely in and out of the rest, restore, connect mode where you can meet yourself and others without so much baggage and find presence and true connection.

“You are pressing a huge stop button. You get an overview of the whole picture and you’re not stuck in a single thought. A deeper understanding emerges of where you’ve been.”

You begin to feel lighter as your cells release the weight of old griefs, pains and sorrows. You have gained a deeper understanding of yourself and your life path and choices open up before you to walk new paths, make new choices.

Nadia is a true space holder who shares this journey with countless individuals ready for change and growth. She listens deeply, understands the tool of the breath deeply and respectfully and is a powerful guide to help integrate all that the breath reveals.

thebreathingroom.ie

Basic

Advanced

Pranic

Pranic

discoverpranichealing

Group

Master Choa Kok Sui

Mobilizing Body-Based Intelligence

BOWEN THERAPY WITH MONA SATO

by Alison McEvoy

A few months back the general tightness/weakness in my neck took a turn for the worse as nerves at the base of the occiput (the base of the head) became trapped and emitted a severe pain across my head and into my face (occipital neuralgia). Nothing was helping. Then, I re-encountered Bowen.

Mona Sato has been working as a Bowen Therapist for over a decade. I first encountered Mona in 2017 in the Dublin Holistic Centre where she was the only Bowen Therapist on site. Mona now works from her own clinic in the seaside town of Dun Laoghaire.

The delicate Bowen touch made me feel safe. I knew there weren’t going to be any heavy manipulations. The Bowen moves involve gentle pressures or ‘pushes’ to the skin on specific points with various aims such as the stimulation of proprioception (the sense that allows us to perceive our own body in space), lymphatic drainage, and the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system response (rest, digest and heal mode).

The treatment stimulated a profound awareness of my body, unfreezing resistances, softening the ‘armour’ of stress responses. I felt gentle rushes of sensation in places that I hadn’t felt in a long time due to numbness and tightness around my neck. I was enveloped in a deep relaxation which made me feel as if I were planted, roots and all, into the therapy table.

Bowen is a highly specific and skilful way to restore the delicate balance of tension and integrity required in the body’s tissues. Bowen is painless as it mobilizes the body’s innate healing intelligence - our body doesn’t try to hurt itself while healing itself.

Bowen ended up working on me a much deeper levels, while also helping my body to emerge from present pain into relaxation. Indeed, Bowen is a powerful tool for body-based healing from all kinds of traumatic events, including birth trauma and post-natal issues.

“Bowen is painless as it mobilizes the body’s innate healing intelligence - our body doesn’t try to hurt itself while healing itself.”

Rituals of Return

THE STORY BEHIND MAMO

by Alison McEvoy

The story of MAMO, founded by Gergana Tsankova, begins with loss—but blooms into quiet transformation. After losing her father in a tragic accident, Geri remained in Ireland to support her mother and younger brother. Grief was buried beneath a highachieving career, a drive to be strong, productive, unbreakable.

“I didn’t know I was grieving—I thought I was just busy,” she says. But over time, her body spoke louder: anxiety, panic attacks, freeze states. In an attempt to ‘heal,’ she turned to nutrition, workouts, and protocols—yet still felt disconnected. “I treated myself like a project I needed to fix.”

It wasn’t until she was made redundant and left Dublin that the noise stopped. On visits to her grandmother and aunt, something shifted. “I remembered the beauty of slowness—of handmade meals, growing food, herbal remedies. That’s when MAMO came to me.”

MAMO means grandmother in Irish. It’s a tribute to ancestral care, rooted in ritual and simplicity. Geri began creating her own body care—from raw butters, herbal infusions, and nourishing oils. Her studio now produces sculptural candles, luxury soaps, high-end wax melts, and natural dog care—crafted slowly, for sensitive skin, homes, and hearts.

“You don’t need to do more. You just need to come back to yourself. MAMO is here to hold space for that return—through small rituals that restore what we forget in the rush.”

www.mamolife.ie

@mamolife.ie

The Biota Method

AWAKEN THE WISDOM WITHIN

by Seán Beakey & Nika Ros

In a world of quick fixes and fragmented health solutions, the Biota Method offers something radically different. An invitation to return to the intelligence of nature and of your own body. Whether through a transformative weekend seminar or a gentle four-week online initiation. The Biota Method opens a path to wholeness through the art of reconnection.

Biota represents “life” and this method centres around restoring harmony in the body by awakening your somatic instincts, grounding your awareness in natural rhythms and unlocking the ancestral knowledge stored in your cells. Rooted in holistic movement, breath and ancient body-based practices, it is not something you learn intellectually. It is something you remember through experience.

Over a weekend immersion, participants are guided through practical rituals and embodied tools to reawaken the body’s inner compass. You will leave feeling clearer, lighter and more aligned. Often with the sense that something long lost has been returned to you.

Alternatively, the Biota Initiations - a four-week online journey of 40-minute weekly sessions, offers a gentle, integrative introduction. Each class gives you a taste of the method through guided explorations you can practice in daily life.

This is not another wellness trend. It’s a recalibration, a remembering and it’s open to anyone ready to listen to their body’s truth.

Whether you join in person or online, the Biota Method offers more than healing, it offers a way home. Are you ready to begin your return to embodied wisdom?

“You will leave feeling clearer, lighter and more aligned.”

positive fertility

Nourishing fertility

OPTIMISING THE BODY FOR CONCEPTION.

by Aisling Cronin

When couples are trying to conceive, supporting their bodies with the highest quality nutrition possible is a key aspect of that journey. The optimal nutrient mix for fertility has been closely studied by global fertility nutrition expert Dr. Conor Kerley for many years. After a careful review of the best available medical literature on the subject, Dr. Kerley identified 27 key nutrients that have been proven to support fertility in men, in women and in anyone undergoing assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF.

In his quest to make the fertility journey for people hoping to conceive, he formulated Fertility Phix supplements, which contain all 27 of these nutrients in optimal doses and optimal formats. Taking one sachet daily for twelve weeks (approximately three months) is recommended for the best results. The sachet contents can be added to any food or beverage of your choice.

Over the course of Dr. Kerley’s research, he found that the three months before conception provide an ideal window to help the body prepare to support a pregnancy. It takes about three

“After a careful review of the best medical literature, Dr. Kerley identified 27 key nutrients”

months for both the sperm and egg to mature and develop. Therefore, according to Dr. Kerley, taking Fertility Phix daily for three months will “optimise both sperm and egg health, as well as providing key fertility nutrients that offer optimal support for both men and women when trying for a baby –whether they’re trying to conceive naturally or they are using techniques such as IVF, frozen transfer, IUI or ICSI”.

Fertility Phix is a unique scientifically backed formula containing inositol, arginine, carnitines, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. Plant-based, gluten free, and manufactured and packaged in Ireland, this supplement is designed to pave the way for a smooth pregnancy.

phytaphix.com

Acupuncture and fertility

NOURISHING THE SEED

by Kate Curtis, RGN, RM, Lic. Ac. MACI. Board member of the Acupuncture Council of Ireland

A sense of soul loss may occur for many who experience multiple miscarriages or failed IVF cycles. Soul loss may manifest in a person feeling deep sorrow, combined with a sense of isolation and disconnect from themselves, their partners, friends and family. So many emotions, so many agonising and lonely thoughts.

The acupuncturist’s role is to assist in helping to allay these emotions and bring back a sense of hope, through treatment and guidance along a person’s journey towards conception.

A holistic perspective towards optimising fertility is one which addresses not only the physical body, but also the emotional, and spiritual bodies. Acupuncturists take a thorough look into a client’s medical and fertility history to unravel unexplained issues, according to the TCM system of diagnosis, which is different to the modern medical system of diagnosis. How acupuncture may help in natural cycle treatment

• Acupuncture can help regulate the menstrual cycle

• It can improve symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis parameters

• It can balance hormonal and immune system disorders

• It can improve the digestive system and the Gut Microbiome and reducing inflammation

• It can help trigger ovulation

• It can improve sperm quality, count, and motility

• It can increase both male and female libido through stress reduction

How acupuncture may help during natural assisted cycles and in IVF

• Acupuncture is used in preparation for fertility treatments to improve the embryo quality and reduce pelvic inflammation

• It can assist in improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus to prepare the uterine lining

• It can help reduce the side effects of hormone treatments

• It enhances physical and emotional strength by reducing stress between cycles and in preparation for IVF

• Used pre and post embryo transfer, it has shown in an important study to increase the success rate from 26.3% to 42.5% (Paulus et al 2002)

Emotional support

There are many emotions associated with the loss of ability to conceive with ease. People may experience a sense of isolation and loss of confidence which can place great strain on relationships.Acupuncture helps reduce stress by regulating the nervous system, which results in deep relaxation and reduced cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

High stress and raised cortisol are associated with reduced chances of conceiving.

When to seek support

If a couple has been trying to conceive for over a year, or if a woman is over 35 years old and there is no successful pregnancy after six months, we recommend that they and their partner seek help by organising tests via their GP or a fertility clinic.

It is recommended that acupuncture treatment should ideally start three to six months either before IVF, or if trying to conceive naturally. If you are looking for support on your fertility journey, you can find qualified acupuncturists who are registered and fully insured in the Acupuncture Council of Ireland’s practitioner listing.

acupuncturecouncilofireland.com tcmciaci@gmail.com

“The acupuncturist’s role is to bring back a sense of hope”

Healing your lineage

WE CHOSE TO REMEMBER.

by Oshika Pandey

When I was 17, I read that a great guru had chosen his parents. I thought, “Wow, he must be so divine to have earned that.”

Years later, during my own spiritual acceleration, I realised: we all choose. Our families. Our traumas. Our wounds.

Over the past decade, I’ve remembered who I am: a cycle breaker. A woman rebirthing herself through the fires of womb pain, alcoholism, grief, childhood traumas, and ancestral baggage. Through breathwork, conscious conception, and ancient feminine practices, I’ve peeled away lifetimes of fear.

“I am not just healing this life – I am clearing entire bloodlines”

In my recent breathwork training, I journeyed through past lives, galactic realms, and remembered my soul’s original star system. I am not just healing this life – I am clearing entire bloodlines. When we heal, we heal forward – for our children, and theirs. Because if trauma can be passed on, so can light.

And yet, the spiritual path isn’t all bliss and crystals. It’s Kali’s path. It demands surrender. The path of the Divine Feminine isn’t soft – it’s sacred fire. Kali doesn’t destroy – she reveals the truth. She takes what isn’t true – people, patterns, illusions – and burns them to ashes. But what remains… is pure.

If you are reading this and feel a stirring, it’s because you know: you came here to remember. To awaken your Shakti. To break what no longer serves your lineage – and build what does. We are not victims of our stories. We are the authors of a new one.

Oshika Pandey is a women’s wellness mentor, breathwork guide, and founder of the Conscious Conception movement. She helps women heal womb wounds, break ancestral patterns, and awaken their divine feminine power through Ayurveda, spiritual wisdom, subconscious healing, and somatic practices.  merelymindful.com

The Holistic Path to Fertility & Conception

ENERGY HEALING & THE DAWSON PROGRAM.

by Helen O’Flinn

“Why is it so hard?” This question echoes through the minds of so many women and men on the fertility journey. Behind every appointment, test and waiting period can lie a deep emotional and very personal landscape, hope, frustration, grief and longing. Energy healing offers a gentle yet powerful way to support this journey on all levels: physical, emotional, and energetic.

Through my work with Bio Energy and the Dawson Program Corrective Sound Therapy, I’ve supported many clients, both female and male, as they navigate the path to conception. These wonderful energy healing modalities work by identifying and clearing energetic blocks that may be interfering with fertility. When the body’s energy systems are out of balance, hormonal regulation, reproductive function and emotional wellbeing can all be affected.

“These wonderful energy healing modalities work by identifying and clearing energetic blocks that may be interfering with fertility.”

We look at the energy levels in the body, the reproductive organs, and even the source of the health of the egg and sperm from an energetic perspective. Both Bio Energy and the Dawson Program help realign the body’s electrical and vibrational systems, restoring natural communication between the brain, glands and organs.

The mind-body connection is key. Thoughts of fear, pressure, past trauma or stress can create subtle resistance in the body. Bio Energy and the Dawson Program help to release these emotional imprints, calm the nervous system and bring the body into a more receptive state.

Fertility is not just physical, it’s energetic, emotional and deeply personal. Energy healing brings support, balance, and hope to those ready to explore a more holistic path. Could this be the missing piece in your fertility journey?

Bioenergyacademyofdublin.com

Struggling with low engagement on your 1K-10K mailing list?

Transform your email marketing with

Specialists in emails and website copy for heart-centred businesses

“Our open rate doubled after first consultation.” Paul Congdon, Positive Life Magazine

✅ Clarify your online presentation

✅ Reach the right audience

✅ Engage and retain loyal subscribers

We are here to HELP. Request a call back for a Free 15-Minute Consultation.

Iridology in action

AN ILLUSTRATIVE FERTILITY CASE.

by Sofia Perez

“Juliette represents many women who face fertility challenges despite normal medical results.”

Iridology doesn’t diagnose but can support fertility by identifying patterns affecting reproductive health, in both women and men.

In the sample case below, ‘Juliette’ represents many women who face fertility challenges despite normal medical results. She had a demanding job and seemed to cope well, but the stress of not conceiving, sugar cravings and irregular cycles suggested deeper imbalances worth exploring through iridology. The iris image is from the actual ‘Juliette’ – shared with her permission.

In the assessment of her iris images, you can observe a large brown pigment in the ovary area of her right eye, while a lacuna (a type of iris marking) was present in the corresponding area of her left eye, both signs

suggesting weakened ovarian function.

There are also a small radii solaris extending from the pupil at 12 o’clock in the right eye, in the pituitary zone, indicating possible hormonal regulation challenges. Several large lacunae appeared in the pancreas region of both irises, attached to the collarette, along with concentration furrows. These lacunae suggest sugar imbalances linked to hormonal health and fertility, while the furrows indicate a predisposition to stress and anxiety.

Together with her intake form, these findings pointed to hormonal imbalance and chronic stress, both impacting fertility. Based on this, the recommended approach included targeted, lifestyle adjustments and a personalised herbal protocol aimed

at supporting adrenal function, and overall hormonal balance. In similar real-life cases, I often suggest hormone testing which can reveal issues like low progesterone or adrenal fatigue, common factors in unexplained fertility challenges.

Iridology is a pain free, holistic way of reading the body’s signals directly through the eyes enabling us to gather a clear picture of what we can do to support the body on its journey to conception.

Sofia Perez, PhD is a Master Herbalist, Nutritionist & Certified IIPA Iridologist.

Consciousearthmedicine.com

MAMO is a Wicklow-based botanical studio crafting luxury soaps, candles, high-end wax melts, and pet care.

Using raw butters, herbal infusions, and gentle scents, we transform everyday care into beautiful, grounding rituals.

Conlemany by nature, the conlemany way

Every day in our salon in Dun Laoghaire, we tranform hair colour into a pure plant based ritual. free from harsh chemicals. Our botanic dye enhances strenghtens and iluminates without altering your hair's natural integrity, the results?

Vibrant natural colour with depth shine and perfect coverage while keeping hair healthier thicker and full of life.

More than just a color - Conlemany is a commitment to beauty in harmony with nature. Suitable for allergic pregnant women and anyone facing health challenges and scalp issues.

www.conlemany.com www.organicitalianhair.bio 087 7194495

ordinary monk adventures of an

INNER QUEST.

by Tim McEvitt

Dublin, Ireland – the year is 1992. I’d like to tell you a story...

Northumberland Road is a leafy avenue with three-storey residences, originally the townhouses of 19th-century wealthy gentlemen and their families. The mature, roadside trees and fired-brick walls of the spacious houses exude a sense of period refinement and opulence. A boy ambled up old steps and gradually found his way to a seat in a tall-ceilinged conference room. At age 17, he was the youngest in the room.

The School of Philosophy had properties in London, Dublin, New York and elsewhere. Established in 1938, they taught wisdom based on teachings from ancient India. The boy in this story was me, Tim, and I was beginning my journey of self-discovery. At this course, the speakers often quoted from an ancient Sanskrit text called ‘Bhagavad Gita’. I was intrigued to hear about the modes of Nature, goodness, passion and ignorance. This old text described how these ‘modes’ are everpresent in the world around us, and we, as humans, should choose goodness as much as possible, control passion, and avoid ignorance. The text went into all kinds of illuminating details in chapter 14.

life all along its journey. Finally, the light flashed in the heart region of the body of bones, flickered out, and then started again in the embryo.

My interest was piqued as I entered this unique and intriguing place, and a bell tinkled along with the moving arc of the door. A gentle sense of awe and fascination washed over me as I pottered around this little shop of exotica. A blue-covered book with a colour image of a multi-armed god-entity triggered a memory of childhood cartoons. ‘The Science of Self-Realisation’. It looked like something out of Sinbad or Aladdin.

I began attending events in a back room of this place. People referred to the space as being ‘the temple’. In the course of time, I began to realise it was a Hare Krishna temple. Krishna consciousness isn’t a new movement – respect to Krishna and avatars Vishnu and Rama has been an ongoing tradition for millennia. The Bhagavad Gita is dated to 5000+ years ago. In the Vedas, the position of the stars in the sky is recorded for the day of the speaking of the Gita. When one inputs the star patterns into a modern astronomy programme, one gets November 22nd 3102BC.

“Goodness, passion and ignorance… these ‘modes’ are everpresent in the world around us.”

A few weeks later I was on Dame Street in Dublin city centre when a shop window display caught my attention: ancient, Eastern. “Oh, look, there’s that book, Bhagavad Gita.”

Beside the holy book there was a colourful sculpture of a cruel-looking Minotaur about to behead a terrified man who had the body of a bull. “Good Lord,” I thought. To the left there was the Changing Bodies diorama: a sequence of sculptures depicting the circle of life and reincarnation - from embryo, to baby, to toddler, to boy, teen, young man, man growing in responsibility, mature man, old gentleman, ancient man collapsing, and finally to a skeleton. A light shone from the heart space and flashed between the embryo’s heart and other stages of

After some months, I moved into an ashram, and I experienced ashram life between the ages of 18 to 29. For most of this time I lived at the island temple of Inish Rath in County Fermanagh. I’m personally delighted I gave my youth to this exploration.

Tim and his wife Yen host spiritual, yoga and meditation retreats, based in County Fermanagh: www.LakeisleRetreats.com

Tim’s new book, Adventures of an Ordinary Monk, is now available on Amazon and in selected retailers.

know your enema

SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

by Antoinette Curran

Let’s start at the beginning. What is an enema?

An enema is the infusion of water, salt water, dilute herbs, probiotics or organic coffee via the back passage to aid in the release of old matter and bacteria to assist in detoxification or to help re-inoculate the bowel with probiotic bacteria.

Internal cleansing has been written about and practised since approximately 1500 BC. First recorded in the ancient Egyptian text, the Ebers Papyrus, internal cleansing is nothing new to mankind.

Are enemas safe?

A frequently asked question. Yes, enemas are safe if you adhere to the recommended guidelines. I advise working with an experienced practitioner such as a naturopath. Just like everything else in life, there are contraindications, so do some well-balanced research and seek out experienced practitioners or engage with your medical practitioner.

Ultimately, enemas are an excellent modality not only for dealing with congestion, but on a much deeper level, the manner in which they aid detoxification via the portal route of the liver. Our liver, the largest organ of detoxification, is inundated with toxins from the environment including pesticides, insecticides and forever chemicals.

These are placing a large biological burden on the body and we are seeing more chronic illnesses now than ever before. It seems nobody is immune from the very young to the aged, so the more tools we have at our disposal, the more able we are to deal with these health challenges.

“The coffee stimulates the liver to release more of its master antioxidant’”

What are the different types of enemas?

Water, weak salt water solution – these are used for cleansing – herbal solutions such as peppermint or chamomile to aid bloating or gastric distress, probiotic implants using several open capsules in a small volume of water aimed at retention rather than expulsion following a cleansing enema.

However, it is the coffee enema that is possibly one of the most beneficial enemas in my opinion.

Does it really go there…?

It sounds really unusual to insert coffee via the rectum. However, it has been shown to be highly effective in helping the liver

purge itself of toxins contained in the bile including heavy metals, cholesterol and byproducts of the metabolism, including hormones.

The coffee is absorbed via the hemorrhoidal vein in the back passage and enters the liver via the portal vein. It essentially causes the liver to purge and release these toxins, which are then shunted into the intestines and released via bowel movements.

The coffee stimulates the liver to release more of its master antioxidant, glutathione S-transferase. As you can imagine this is extremely helpful for people whose health is compromised and who may be dealing with chronic illness. I would mention it is essential in these cases that people are working with a practitioner who is well schooled in internal health, detox pathways and enemas.

Always consult with your health practitioner before performing home enemas and make sure liquids are at body temperature. They are only recommended for adult use.

Leading proponents of coffee enemas include Dr. Wendy Myers and Dr. Datis Kharrazian, who specifically speaks to how they aid peristalsis or muscle performance in the gut.

iarthar.com

FIGHTING FIT

To help stay boosted to fight against colds and flus, Dr. Wolz has formulated a range of award winning immune complexes proven in trials to help boost the immune system.

Zell Oxygen Immunkomplex heals and strengthens your body at a cellular level with over 70% of cellular requirements such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, co-enzymes, amino acids, proteins and much more. It helps to support healthy cells, boost immunity and also overcome the symptoms of exhaustion and chronic fatigue.

Immun Select is a formulation in capsule form containing Zinc, vitamin C, Quercetin, beneficial bacteria and immune stimulating beta-glucanns.

Kinderimmun is full of essential ingredients and immune boosting properties for children from 4 upwards. It contains colostrum, inulin, Vitamins C, D3, B complex, Zinc, probiotics and beta-glucanes, and in an easy flavourless powder your kids will love. Also suitable for adults and during pregnancy.

Available from select Pharmacies, Health stores or www. rossmorehealth.com

Local grass-fed beef, organic seaweeds from Connemara, eighteen botanicals from around the world, collagen and cold pressed oils, all brought

much done, more to do

A colleague once said to me that if 100 companies were formed on the same day in the same year and you invited them all to a celebration 25 years later, not to be surprised at how few of the 100 companies would still be in business and attend.

Thankfully, Yoga Therapy Ireland is most definitely still in business and our 25th anniversary offers us a timely opportunity to look back at the foundation of our organisation and how we intend to move forward.

Five like-minded Yoga teachers; Linda Southgate, Marie Lennon, Helen Morrow, Elma Toland and Maureen Nightingale, all trained as Yoga teachers with the same organisation and added subsequent trainings to their CVs, had a dream of starting their own Yoga Teacher Training organisation where the focus would be on inclusivity, safety and the therapeutic aspects of Yoga.

The dream was finally realised, and Yoga Therapy Ireland (YTI) registered charity was officially founded in January 2000. In the years that followed, our choice of YTI Yoga training courses grew, as did our membership and the number of tutoring personnel, Board Members, Operations Team members and Patrons.

Our training venue moved from the Healthy Way (now the Healthy Hub) in Leixlip, where founder member, the late Linda Southgate, was based, to the inspiring campus at Marino Institute of Education,

by Maureen Nightingale

Dublin. The Institute has been our home for just over 20 years and provides the most idyllic space and setting for our students.

“Over the years, a huge amount of work and passion were poured into YTI and we quickly grew from strength to strength.”

Over the years, a huge amount of work and passion were poured into YTI, and we quickly grew from strength to strength. With the focus on developing our exclusive 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course, we were determined to gain accreditation, both nationally and internationally, so that the role of the Yoga teacher would be seen and accepted as a true profession.

In 2006, representatives of YTI attended the first national forum on Complementary Therapies under the auspices of the Department of Health. Since then, we have been successful in achieving international accreditation from Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and most recently, ITEC. We are also members of AONTAS, Ireland Active and the International and European

Federations of Yoga. In 2023, YTI hosted Ireland’s first Yoga in Healthcare Conference. The world is in a totally different place to that of 25 years ago, and we need Yoga teachers more than ever. In the years ahead, YTI, inspired by anatomy-informed Yoga and Yoga philosophy, will remain true to its ethos. We will continue to provide the highest quality and standards of training. We will also continue to engage with the Departments of Health and Education. Through our courses, workshops and Healthcare Conferences, led by both medical and holistic facilitators, we will continue to educate healthcare professionals as well as Yoga teachers, so that Yoga can be made available in every hospital, nursing home, healthcare centre, community care, school and business setting.

Significantly, Yoga has earned the recognition and support of both the WHO and the United Nations, who believe that the practice of Yoga is a valid way to promote physical activity and wellbeing for everybody on every level and acknowledge Yoga’s potential to reduce the global burden of chronic health conditions.

So, while much work has been done in the last 25 years – there is still a lot more to do.

Yogatherapyireland.com

25 YEARS OF YOGA THERAPY IRELAND

saturn in aries

“I can’t go on, I’ll go on,” said the great Irish writer, Samuel Beckett, who had both the Sun and Mercury in Aries. As it happens, Samuel Beckett’s quote accurately describes the passage of Saturn into Aries, the sign of its Fall. While Saturn poses challenges and obstacles on your way, Aries will encourage you to persevere and remain hopeful.

Saturn will enter Aries on May 24th until August 31st, 2025. It will return to Pisces from September 1st, 2025, until February 13th, 2026, and re-enter Aries on February 14th, 2026, to stay there until April 2028.

Saturn, the slow-moving planet, may struggle to achieve its goals in fiery, impulsive Aries, but perhaps Aries can illuminate Saturn with life and hope. If you have personal planets or your Rising sign in Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn, you can be more affected by this transit than others.

A HERO’S JOURNEY!

by Mariana Saad

How to work with Saturn in Aries over the next couple of years:

1- Have a plan and stick with it. Be discerning. Aries wants instant results, but Saturn is in it for the long game. Be pragmatic and realistic in what you can achieve. Maybe spreading yourself too thin is not a good idea. Saturn loves a deeply thought-out project you would work on slowly but steadily.

2- Have strong and healthy boundaries. In ancient times, Saturn was the planet of hermits and mystics. One of its wise lessons is the importance of having boundaries. During Saturn’s time in Aries, consider who you want to keep in your life. Are you conscious of those who contribute to your well-being versus those who drain you?

3- Be selective. Ask yourself what is essential for your growth and what you must leave behind or do less to lead a more constructive life. Evaluate, assess, and reflect before you make any decisions.

give in. Achieving your goals takes bravery, resilience, and inner authority, but it is worth the effort.

5- Learn to cope with frustration and reflect on the root of anger or aggression, as they might manifest during this transit. Healthy anger can catalyse change, but anger in the wrong hands can lead to destruction.

6- Choose your leaders or become your inner leader. You may be disappointed by leaders or your relationship with authority. Saturn in Aries can highlight the fall of influential figures or shift your opinion about them.

“Achieving your goals takes bravery, resilience, and inner authority.”

4- Remain cautious and patient. These are not Aries qualities, but essential tools to navigate the journey of Saturn through passionate Aries. You may feel challenged in your willpower, but don’t

7- Be humble and know your limits. Saturn in Aries is a reality check and an ego check. The more modest you are, the more effective you can be. Discipline and hard work are Saturn’s lessons to overcome obstacles on your heroic journey.

Aries is the inner voice telling you that you CAN, but Saturn is the voice that reminds you of your limits. From my Aries Sun to you: Be brave, transcend those limits!

Mariana is a Dublin-based astrologer offering one-to-one chart readings and personal astrology forecasts online through Zoom. Learn more about her at

marianasaadastrology.com @mariana_saad_astrology