Mary Gardiner

Mary is a yoga teacher and studio owner with a passion for health and wellness that dates back to 2007 when she first entered the industry. Mary has a background as a PE teacher, fitness instructor and personal trainer. As a competitive athlete, Mary was initially drawn to yoga as a way of challenging her body in new ways. She completed her 200hr YTT with Frog Lotus almost a decade ago with the intention of using it in her role as a PE teacher; she could see the immense benefits the practice had on her students, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well and wanted to deepen her knowledge. 

 

Mary has always had a keen interest in how the body works and is a self-confessed anatomy geek. She has always been drawn to the mechanics of movement and the principles of functional fitness. Since completing her initial teacher training, Mary has amassed over 800 hours of training including her advanced teacher training and specialised courses in areas such as prenatal yoga, advanced anatomy and sequencing, myofascial release techniques, chair yoga, and yoga philosophy. Throughout her journey, Mary has had the privilege of studying under some of the most esteemed yoga teachers, including Jason Crandell, Amy Ipolitii, Jo Tastula, Rachel Land, Bryony Smith, Patrick Beach, and Lara Heimann. 

 

Mary's teaching style is accessible and playful, offering a mix of styles such as vinyasa, hatha, breathwork, restorative, and pre and postnatal yoga. She believes in making yoga inclusive for every body, catering to beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Her classes blend ancient yoga philosophies with modern approaches to create functional and enjoyable experiences for her students.

 

Beyond her role as a yoga teacher, Mary is also a Gentlebirth instructor and birth doula. She is passionate about educating and empowering women to take control of their birthing experiences. As a mother of four young children, she understands the importance of community and support, and her newly purpose-built studio is a welcoming and inclusive space. Mary hosts regular workshops, retreats, and birth education courses. She also runs weekly community practices at Lilliput House during the spring and summer months. 

 

In addition to her studio, Mary is the co-founder and director of The Yoga Picnic, a festival initially created with the intention of celebrating Ireland's vibrant yoga and wellness community. With a vision of creating a space where like-minded individuals could come together to connect, Mary has worked tirelessly to expand the festival's offerings. Now in its third year, The Yoga Picnic has become a cornerstone event for yoga and wellness enthusiasts, and this year will be hosting its first international teachers.