My name is Donal Quirke. I’m a YOGABODY certified teacher, occasional software developer, backpacker, meditator, and believer in the power of consistent practice. I’ve been practicing yoga and meditation for over 20 years.

Many years ago, on a business flight to India I sat next to an elderly Indian gentleman. I was so impressed by his energy and enthusiasm for life that I asked for his ‘secret’. “I’ll show you he said” and suddenly he was doing a headstand in the middle of the aisle.

At 35,000 feet, with people asleep all around us, this wonderful elderly man left a lifelong impression. I had found yoga.

Shortly afterward I began to turn my own life on its head. A degree in Psychology, a degree in Business Information Technology, and a career in the tech industry; I decided to relinquish the trajectory my life was on and follow a deeper instinct.

I qualified as a teacher of Iyengar Yoga in 2002 and along with practicing this yoga tradition, I began to explore Buddhism, mindfulness, and meditation.

Fastforward to these days, I am helping bring to Ireland the YOGABODY approach to yoga. I love this approach because it is practical and pragmatic, with a focus on wellness and health – both physical and mental. YOGABODY’s philosophy of “No Gurus, No Mantras, No Incense, No Crazy ´Pretzel Poses'”, removes barriers that keep many people away from the mind-body goodness which yoga has to offer. 

I am a member of the board of trustees at Sunyata Buddhist Centre, Co. Clare. Where I continue my study of Buddhism and mindfulness with monastics from the Ajahn Chah Thai Forest Tradition. I also trained with, and am hugely grateful to, the late Aloka David Smith. In 2017 I decided to train as a YOGABODY instructor because of YOGABODY’s emphasis on physical fitness, mobility, and mental wellness. In addition to my YOGABODY practice, I draw upon movement trainings from the likes of Coach Sommers, the GMG guys, Ido Portal and other leaders in the modern-day movement culture.

I’d love to share with you what I’ve learned along the way.