Merkabah Founder - Claire Donovan

Claire Donovan created the beautiful Merkabah Retreat, a sanctuary of healing and transformation, with her love Matt Donovan.

Here is her story and why she creates such powerful women’s retreats.

”I have always been a great believer in women… beautiful, powerful, nurturing, sensual, mystical and caring. Capable of growing another human and feeding it from our bodies, maker of miracles.

Am I a feminist?
No, I love to be worshipped and spoilt by men, doors held open, chairs pulled out, hearts, flowers, chocolates and declarations of love.

I’m a Goddess?
No, I’m a f*#cking Goddess.
We all are.

I was born in the 60’s, my mother was a very submissive wife. It drove me mad! “Ask your father dear”. Tea always on the table at 6pm, house tidy for when my father came home. Not for me, thank you very much. I discovered men actually love women and we hold the power… all of it.

We were born to be worshipped each and every one of us, in our own way, a walking miracle of nature.

Bringer of abundance, every sort of abundance, joyful, sexual, comforting, supportive and let’s not forget we are also capable of being providers.

Somewhere along the way it has slipped for many of us, we find ourselves in a void, a place of uncertainty:
Who am I? What am I? Why am I?
I want to help all women discover their inner Goddess.

Get back the sass. Find the place of joy. The girl who turns heads, she is still in there. All women are beautiful….I want the world to see that.”

YOGA, what can I say?

Yoga, to me, is a daily love affair—an intimate dance on my mat, whether I'm guiding classes or immersing myself in solitary practice.

In every miraculous breath, I find solace and vitality. The rhythmic inhales and exhales infuse our bodies with goodness, dispelling stress and anxiety, and fuelling us with energy.

Yoga is more than just physical postures; it's a meditative journey, a graceful flow that echoes the tranquility of calm waters. With each pose, we strengthen, lengthen, and invigorate our bodies, while forging a deep connection with our inner selves and higher spiritual beings.

On the mat, the incessant chatter of the mind subsides, replaced by focused presence and a profound sense of alignment. It's a space where mind transcends matter, where healing begins, and chakras align.

Teaching yoga isn't merely a job—it's a privilege and a joy. Every class breathes its own life, with a beginning, purpose, and a beautiful culmination. I'm humbled by the souls who grace my sessions, entrusting me with their time and journey.

In crafting my unique practice, I draw inspiration from the earth's gifts and celestial wonders. Each season, each Goddess, and their mystical energies are honoured. Crystals, moon ceremonies, equinoxes, and solstices infuse my sessions with spiritual depth, occasionally punctuated by wild, liberating dance.

My shamanic practice intertwines seamlessly with yoga, infusing my teachings with a deep reverence for nature's splendor. It's about empowerment, nurturing, and igniting the soul's fire.

Come, join me, and let's journey together through the magic of yoga. Feel the love, embrace the enchantment, and discover the boundless possibilities that await.

My Shamanic Journey

For as long as I have walked on this earth I have been spiritual, even before I knew what spiritual was.

Being out on the land always made my heart sing, I listened to the earth, I heard her whispering, I heard the voices in the waves at the beach, I talked to the stones the trees and the animals. I saw colours around plants around everything. And I loved the stars and the beautiful moon in it’s every shape and size.

I was born a Shaman. I know that now.

I have been so privileged to have found my wonderful Shamanic teacher Willow, about 10 years ago. I have studied deeply each and every ceremony each sacred healing practice, each secret of the land and its spirits, that has been lovingly passed down from Shaman to Shaman.

What is a Shaman?

We work with the energies of the earth and the skies. Closely with the animal and plant kingdom, power animals and animal spirit guides.

We use energy to heal, to clear and to align. A large part is with spirit intuition and connection. We are the kick ass healers, the fearless, brave and powerful.

The gentle alchemist, working with herbs and plant potions, fire and sound. Sound to chase the negative energy to coax a bad entity to the light, freeing the receptive from attachments and ailments of the psyche .

To be able to truly heal with my Shamanic work is a complete life purpose and I am ME .

Watching people walk away as a new person, a free soul is rewarding beyond joy.