Yoga trí Ghaeilge: yoga classes in Irish in Meath

Tá Gaeilge ag Fiona. Fiona Mullen, who runs Grá Wellness outside Athboy, has Irish and can teach a class in Irish, in English or in a mix of both. For Irish speakers, learners and schools, that means something a little different: a yoga class as Gaeilge. Here is how it works and how to set one up.

Can you do yoga through Irish in Meath?

Yes. Fiona Mullen, who runs Grá Wellness outside Athboy, has Irish and can teach yoga in Irish, in English or in both. Classes in Irish are arranged on request, for groups, schools, workplaces or a private session.

Athboy is a natural home for it. The Meath Gaeltacht, Ráth Chairn and Baile Ghib, is close by. It is the smallest Gaeltacht in the country, with easy access to Athboy, Trim, Kells and Navan. Families from Conamara, Mayo and Kerry settled there on small farms in the 1930s (Údarás na Gaeltachta).

More people in Meath have Irish than you might think. In Census 2022, 80,822 people in Meath said they could speak Irish. That is about four in every ten people aged three and over. Yet only 1,696 spoke it every day outside school and college (CSO).

Lots of people have Irish. Far fewer get the chance to use it. A relaxed yoga class is a good place to start.

How does a yoga class as Gaeilge work?

It runs like any other class, just in Irish. Fiona welcomes the group, checks in about injuries and starts with a warm-up. Then she guides the poses and the breath in simple Irish. She shows every move, so you can follow even if you miss a word.

You choose the mix when you book. A class can be fully in Irish. It can also be bilingual, with each cue in Irish and then in English. A bilingual class suits a mixed group of fluent speakers and learners.

From start to finish, a class usually goes like this:

1. A welcome. A few words to greet the group and a quick check about injuries or anything Fiona should know.
2. A warm-up. Gentle moves to wake the body up, with simple cues for the breath.
3. The main class. Standing, seated and lying poses. Each one is shown as well as said, so nobody is left guessing.
4. A rest. A few quiet minutes lying still at the end, before everyone sits up and heads home.

The words used in class are simple, and they come up again and again. Here are a few you might hear:

Fáilte romhaibh

Welcome, everyone

Rang ióga

A yoga class

Anáil

Breath

Anáil dhomhain

A deep breath

Síneadh

A stretch

Lig do scíth

Relax, take a rest

Suaimhneas

Calm, ease

Go raibh maith agaibh

Thank you, everyone

Words checked against focloir.ie, the English-Irish dictionary from Foras na Gaeilge.

Who is yoga in Irish for?

It suits anyone who wants to use their Irish while they move. That includes fluent speakers, people with school Irish, Gaelscoil families, Transition Year groups and workplaces marking Seachtain na Gaeilge. You do not need perfect Irish to enjoy it.

• Irish speakers who would love a class in their own language, whether from the Gaeltacht next door or further away.
• Gaelscoil families. More than 36,000 children go to an Irish-medium primary school outside the Gaeltacht (Gaeloideachas). A class for parents, or a family session, can run in Irish too.
• Transition Year groups who want a wellbeing block with Irish built in. See our schools and Transition Year programme.
• Workplaces looking for a team session during Seachtain na Gaeilge, or for staff who use Irish at work. See corporate wellness.
• Learners who want to hear Irish used in a calm, friendly room.

Do you need fluent Irish to join a class as Gaeilge?

No. The Irish used in class is simple and repeats a lot: breathe in, breathe out, lift your arms, rest. Fiona shows each move, so your body can follow even when your Irish is rusty. A bilingual class is an easy way in.

DCU's Irish language office describes Seachtain na Gaeilge as a chance for everyone to enjoy Irish, "whether you are a fluent speaker, learner or have a cúpla focal" (DCU). The same goes for a yoga class.

If you are nervous about your Irish, say so when you book. Fiona can slow down and add more English.

Can a yoga class help with your Irish?

It will not replace a course, but it helps in a gentle way. You hear the same everyday words again and again, and each one comes with a move you can see and feel. There is no test and no pressure, just a calm class in Irish.

For a lot of us, school Irish meant grammar and exams. A class as Gaeilge is different. You hear the language used for something real: how to stand, how to breathe, when to rest. Words like anáil and síneadh tend to stick when you have just done them.

If you are learning, bring a friend who is learning too. Then try the words again at home, or on the walk back to the car.

When is Seachtain na Gaeilge, and can you book a class for it?

Seachtain na Gaeilge runs from 1 to 17 March every year. It is a natural time for a yoga class as Gaeilge at school, at work or with friends. Yes, you can book one. Message Fiona early to find a date that suits your group.

The festival is one of the biggest celebrations of the Irish language, held in Ireland and in many other countries (DCU). A class for your team or class group is an easy way to take part, even for people with only a few words.

Can schools book yoga as Gaeilge?

Yes, schools can ask. Grá Wellness runs Little Buddhas kids yoga and a schools and Transition Year programme. Message Fiona to talk through a single session or a block of classes in Irish for your pupils.

Every school is different, so Fiona will ask about the age group, the size of the class and how much Irish you want. You can read more about Little Buddhas and our schools and Transition Year programme.

How do you arrange a yoga class in Irish?

Message Fiona. Tell her who the class is for, how many people are coming, where you would like it and how much Irish you want. She will come back with times and a price. Classes can run at our studio, in Athboy or at your venue by arrangement.

Private sessions work too, for one person or a small group. See private sessions and group bookings. You can find our weekly classes on the classes page, and read about Fiona and the team on our about page.

And the name? Grá is the Irish word for love.