An Seomra’s Yoga Instructors
Paul Hardiman is the Co-Owner & Co-Founder of An Seomra Yoga Galway. Paul did his first yoga class in Seattle in 1994. He had previously studied martial arts and even represented Ireland internationally in all style Karate before shifting his focus toward yoga. What he didn’t realise was he was already doing ‘yoga’ while preparing for his martial arts classes, as he didn’t yet know the name for what he was experiencing.
Paul continued his practice in Los Angeles, working on a variety of yoga styles with other fun instructors Steve Ross and Kathryn Budig. This eventually lead to his own teacher training with Yogaworks in Santa Monica, which connected him to Anne Van Valkenburg, who is still involved in facilitating workshops here in Ireland at An Seomra Yoga.
Paul's personal teaching style is influenced by Yogaworks, as well as the intuitive teachings of Erich Schiffman; the curiosity of Kira Sloan and Chad Hamrin; the dynamic movement of Jamie Elmer and Robyn Ann Schumacher; and the traditional teachings of Srivatsa Ramaswami.
He is also trained in Thai Yoga Massage Therapy, under the teachings of Krishnatakis, and Pau Castellsagué – who introduced and taught the first Acroyoga classes here in Ireland at An Seomra Yoga. Paul is also a certified Pilates instructor.
His classes tend to be strong and energetic with a Qi Gong influence, yet consistently lighthearted approach. He continues to regard the following 4 pillars as the principles of his teachings: 1) Yin & Yang Yoga, 2) Somatic Movement, 3) Thai Massage, 4) Pilates.
Paul Hardiman
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Laurence McEllin
Ashtanga & Hybrid-Style Classical Haṭhayoga Yoga
I came across Yoga just over 30 years ago in my home town of Kiltimagh, County Mayo through my attempted study of a book by André Van Lysebeth (1919-2004) called Yoga Self-Taught.
In 2006, after many years of travelling in the Americas and trying out various other things e.g., Tai Chi on moving to Galway I returned to yoga and have been at it ever since.
In 2016 I received my Yoga certificate of training in Mysore, India and in 2022 acquired my teaching certificate in meditation.
At the moment, I have the privilege to offer two types of classes at An Seomra, meditation and meditative yoga (a gentle style that combines what I hope is some of the best of yoga and meditation).
Currently, I am studying with yogicstudies.com on their Advanced Certificate Program but I also enjoy at times studying the history, philosophy and politics of Buddhism.
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Lisa Berry
Vinyasa Flow Classes
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Brenda Flannery
Yoga Instructor
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Sophie Fitzpatrick
Yoga Instructor
Sophie is a dedicated 200-hour yoga teacher and forever student. She incorporates a combination of traditional ashtanga yoga with creative intuitive vinyasa flows. Striking a balance between energising movement and calming centring practices, she incorporates somatic tools and breath work to calm the nervous system. Sophie aims to bring cultural awareness, respect and sensitivity to her classes. Her classes welcome messy minds, day dreamers, over thinkers, rest enthusiasts, and presence seekers.
Her wholesome class is designed to shake the dust, wake up the body and get your energy aligned. This class is suitable for all levels, with variations to suit beginners and seasoned yogis. We will begin with with some energising movement, including heart opening bends and twists to ring out any tension built up during the week. Then we will balance everything out with some breath work and meditation to soothe the nervous system and cultivate presence. A balm for the soul, a hug for the mind and a great way to kick off the weekend.
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Caoilfhionn de Bhaldraithe
Yin Yoga Instructor
Caoilfhionn began her yoga journey in 2007 and completed her 200hr and 300hr Advanced Yoga teacher training with Green Lotus Yoga in 2019/2020. She has trained with Puja Sue Flamm and Kitty Maguire in Restorative Yoga, which focuses on supporting the menstrual cycle for women. She also undertook a training which focused on Accessibility in the yoga community through Inclusion with the Yoga Mandala Project, which works specifically to support refugees and survivors of trauma. In addition, she has completed a 100hr Yin Yoga teacher training with Grace Tempany of DubYin Yoga, and a Children’s Yoga teacher training with Melissa Curtis in the Elbowroom, Dublin.
A primary school teacher and a polyglot from Connemara, Caoilfhionn is a regular gig-goer whose other passions include dance and travelling. Her aim through her Yin classes is to guide and empower you to access your inner calm, strength and wisdom, tune into and listen to your heart, gain a deeper understanding of yourself and reconnect to your authentic self..
Yin Yoga class description: An opportunity to slow the mind and body down, focus inwards and find stillness in a calm space. Poses are held for long steady passive holds, helping to target the deeper connective tissues, ligaments, joints and fascia. Longer holds stimulate the myofascial meridians, as understood in Traditional Chinese Medicine, helping to remove blockages and regulate the body’s flow of energy or qi. Options and variations are offered in order for students to practise according to their own ability and body.
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Trudy Kelliher
Trudy first discovered yoga while living in Vancouver 14 years ago, loving the huge variety of styles taught there.
In 2014, Trudy completed her 200hr vinyasa yoga teacher training under Vidya Heisel of Frog Lotus international. Since then she has also completed trainings in pre/post natal yoga, traveled to Mysore, India to practice with Vinay Kumar of PranaVashya and trained with David Kyle of the Rocket family as well as attending numerous workshops with international teachers.
Trudy’s classes are strong and energetic with a strong emphasis on the breath.
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Saba Madani
Saba is a certified yoga trainer with an ITEC Diploma, boasting over 18 years of personal practice and 6 years of teaching experience. She is dedicated to guiding her students through the transformative practice of Vinyasa yoga.
Her journey into yoga began as a personal quest to slow down and connect with her body, using breath as a tool for mindfulness. Through yoga, she has discovered the importance of being present and finding mental peace, and she is committed to helping others achieve the same. Her approach to yoga is rooted in the philosophy of achieving tranquillity by being present in the body.
For Saba, yoga is more than just a physical practice; it is a means to achieve inner peace and mindfulness. It is about discovering the power within and staying present in each moment, both on and off the mat. She invites you to join her on this journey and experience the transformative power of yoga, where you will not only build strength but also cultivate a deeper sense of presence and peace.
Saba’s Classes: In "Power and Presence" Vinyasa classes, the emphasis is on building physical strength and mental focus. Through challenging yet mindful sequences, participants develop both inner and outer power while staying grounded in the present moment. Each class is designed to empower attendees, helping them discover their strength and connect deeply with their breath and body.
Classes are available for all levels, featuring Vinyasa flows and breathing practices that are both accessible and transformative. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced yoga practitioner, a welcoming and supportive environment is created for everyone. The sessions blend dynamic movements with moments of stillness, encouraging you to challenge yourself while respecting your personal boundaries.
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Fiona Hynes
Fiona has been teaching since 2007. She passes on this healing practice in a safe and nurturing space.
She believes the Mysore practice gives students the space to connect to their body, their breath and themselves.
Always a student, Fiona travels to her teachers Luke Jordan in Portugal and Sharath Jois in Mysore India, as much as she can.
Fiona lives with her husband Martin who also practices Ashtanga Yoga.
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Fiona Brown
Fiona’s love of yoga began in her late teens and it's been a daily part of her life ever since. She has been practicing yoga now for 24 years and teaching for 13. Fiona is passionate about movement and inspiring other people of all ages to move more. A self-described anatomy geek, she relishes learning anything related to the fascial network. Fiona loves to create new sequences and finding fun ways to transition in and out of poses. She believes the practice really begins off the mat and the work we do on the mat is just preparation for creating a balanced lifestyle full of connection and purpose.
Fiona’s teaching style is fun, creative and non competitive. She aims to support students on the path to discover a practice that is sustainable and maintainable, sharing the tools and techniques she found so beneficial and healing in her own life. Fiona invites her students to move with her on a journey of self discovery, observing the natural rhythm of breath, moving intuitively & intelligently to create strength, grace and ease of movement
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Orna Canavan
Yoga Teacher / Ayurvedic Practitioner
Orna’s love for yoga began 25yrs ago while she was studying Ayurveda in India. In Ayurveda, yoga is revered as part of one’s daily routine to bring about and maintain balance on the physical, mental and spiritual levels. Having practiced with some great teachers over the years Orna finally decided to do a Teacher Training in 2019 and has enjoyed teaching since.
From her experience as an Ayurvedic practitioner Orna believes that many of us are suffering from what she describes as 21st Century Syndrome, the result of our fast paced and stressful lives. She believes that yoga plays a vital role in helping us to slow down, come back into our bodies and reconnect with ourselves while simultaneously building strength, stability, flexibility and resilience of both body and mind. Orna’s approach to teaching yoga is holistic, inclusive and fun. She also brings aspects of ayurvedic wisdom and philosophy into her classes. It is important to her that people feel energized, limber, grounded and nourished after classes!
Orna lives in Galway where she has a busy Ayurvedic practice.
Katrina Connolly
A Galway native, Katrina Connolly initially began to practice Yoga after moving to Seattle in 1994 as a remedy for back pain. Her love of yoga was sparked in that very first class.
Over what turned into 12 years in Santa Monica, California, she had the opportunity to practice and study Yin, Iyengar, Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Kundalini, Restorative and Pre-natal Yoga throughout Los Angeles.
Her teaching style bares the imprint of this wide range of yoga studied over the years. Her classes have a strong emphasis on the breath, and allowing the breath to guide the practice safely to a more supple and strong body, while maintaining a calm mind. Given the severe back pain, as well as a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis in her early twenties, Katrina has always approached yoga from a therapeutic standpoint.
Katrina is also a post-primary teacher and a qualified Thai Yoga Massage Therapist.