Find Your Calm at Ballymore House
From yoga and sound baths to guided meditations and weekend escapes, Ballymore House is a peaceful retreat where everybody is welcome to slow down and reconnect.
Open to all. We believe everyone can benefit from time spent reconnecting with body and breath. Our goal is always that you leave feeling calmer and better equipped to handle the little complexities life throws your way.
How would you describe your approach to yoga and wellbeing?
When I first began practising, I really struggled with the idea that yoga was only for fit, middle-class people in expensive activewear who could contort themselves into extreme positions. I chased that version of yoga for a while before realising that the real heart of it is the union between body and breath. The rest is just decoration. Yoga is rooted in ancient tradition, and as teachers we want to honour that while keeping the practice accessible. We do not care what you look like or what you wear. It is not about fancy shapes. When you feel comfortable, leave your worries at the door, and carve out a little time in your day to reconnect with yourself. We also do not take ourselves too seriously. Life is hard enough without adding extra pressure.
What inspired you to turn Ballymore House into a yoga space?
Ballymore House is an 18th-century Grade II listed building, nestled in the heart of the Armagh countryside. When we first moved here from the city, we were struck by the tranquillity and the sense of escape from the urgency of everyday life. As a practising nurse, I had always understood the importance of self-care and mindfulness, and as I transitioned into teaching yoga, I knew this was the perfect setting to offer other people that same feeling. The building itself lends beautifully with our ethos of sustainability, restoration and inclusivity, and we carried that same energy into the garden yoga studio so our students could experience it too.
What do you hope people feel when they arrive at Ballymore House?
First and foremost, welcome. We hold no judgement on who you are, where you are from, what your background is, or what you do for a living. Yoga is for everybody. Some people may find physical elements more challenging because of illness, injury or mobility issues. Others may find breathwork or meditation difficult because of anxiety or mental health struggles. But our doors remain open to all.
We believe everyone can benefit from time spent reconnecting with body and breath. Our goal is always that you leave feeling calmer and better equipped to handle the little complexities life throws your way.
What makes Ballymore House such a special setting for this kind of work?
We are not a gym space, a workout room or a church hall. We designed and built the studio from the ground up for this purpose, and we carefully about every detail to make sure everyone who joins us feels at ease. My partner Ben did most of the work himself, and I honestly think that is what makes it even more special. It is not some white-box solution created by an outside contractor. It has been shaped with care, attention and a real sense of purpose. It is part of our home, and we will continue to nurture it. And really, how many studios have you tiptoe across a garden, cross a little bridge, and get welcomed by rescue cats?
What’s next for Ballymore House as the space grows?
We are always expanding our timetable, learning new skills and deepening our knowledge so we can offer students the best experience possible. We have had great success with our sound bath sessions, cacao ceremonies and guided meditations, alongside our movement classes. We will continue to host special event days that bring these elements together and give people the chance to spend a little more time with us. For those who want a deeper experience, we also host twice-yearly escapes, where students join us for a full weekend and really immerse themselves in the experience. It has been such a joy to offer those.
Whether you are completely new to yoga, looking for a gentler way to move, or simply craving a little calm in a busy life, Ballymore House is the kind of place that invites you to exhale. If you have been meaning to make time for yourself, consider this your sign to book the class, try the sound bath, or step through the garden gate and see what it feels like to slow down.
Ballymore Road, Tandragee.
www.ballymorehouseyoga.com
