The Resonance of the Room
Reflections on In-Person Yoga in Knocknacarra
There’s something deeply physical, a being-ness, an embodied-ness about gathering in a room together.
Not just the yoga itself, but all that leads up to it — the act of arriving. We gather from different parts of Galway and beyond, by car, bike, foot, or bus. We juggle schedules, shuffle plans, make space — and somehow, we all land in the same place, at the same time, week after week.
There’s something awesome in that.
We enter into shared space — same air, same light, same floor beneath us. The temperature of the room, the smells, the murmur of conversation, the glow of salt lamps in the soft dark. We navigate ourselves with each other: where to place our mat, whether we return to a habitual corner or wander to a new spot. Some of us settle quietly. Some chat and catch up. We arrive, as we are.
Then comes the landing. The first few minutes of class: a simple guided meditation, a shared breath, a sigh, a chance to gather all our scattered parts. Bodies, minds arriving in, coalessing . The shape of presence taking form on the mat.
As we begin to move, something subtle starts to happen. If you’re new, you’re learning the gestures, the rhythm. If you’ve been coming a while, you’re returning to familiar patterns — but never quite the same. Each movement has a slightly different flavour, a variation that arises from this body, this day.
We move together. Not in perfect unison — but in resonance.
There’s a collaboration here. A kind of embodied community regulation. Each of us moving in our own way, guided by sensation, yet sharing space in a collective rhythm. It’s like a choir, but made of bodies — listening inward, expressing outward, co-creating coherence.
My role, as I see it, is to hold the container. To create and protect a space where connection can happen — to yourself, to each other, to something deeper. A space for feeling, resting, being. For allowing the body to speak in its native language of sensation, and to be heard.
And yes — as many of you know — I love that we practice in the dark. Just the glow of a few salt lamps to hold us. In the murkiness, we turn inward. There’s no posability for comparison in the dark.. More space to let your body shape the poses in your own way, guided by what’s emerging in real time.
It’s always an honour to guide you.
My Knocknacarra classes are currently fully booked, with waiting lists for all 4 classes. And I just want to say: I love them, teaching them brings me so much joy.There is a version of me that turns up to teach that is so fun and wonderful. So thank you, my in-person yoga tribe. And it fills me with deep gratitude that you keep showing up, that you trust me to lead these weekly movement journeys.
I’m already looking forward to seeing you all again in September.
With love,
Ciara
