Covid-19 Update!

Please note the Tourism NI COVID-19 guidelines will be used to ensure your comfort and safety during all my experiences.

Ann Ward, founder of Xhale has a deep spiritual connection with nature.

She inherited her great love of the landscape from her mother, whose birthplace was on the volcanic mountain of Slieve Gullion, nestled in between a number of sacred sites.

Ann has practiced meditation for over 20 years. As a result she has created immersive, mindfulness experiences, courses and retreats using the gifts of meditation and nature.

Xhale’s vision is of “deeply connected individuals, communities and organisations, nurtured through the gifts of meditation and nature”

Meditation & Mindfulness

Meditation is all about developing a calm but alert state of mind where the body is relaxed and the mind is focused but at rest.

Mindfulness is about paying attention, on purpose to the present moment. When you are present, fear and anxiety do not exist.

Shinrin Yoku/Forest Bathing

Shinrin-yoku is Japanese for ‘forest-bathing’. This refers to a practise where you are bathing in the forest environment through your senses, without having to take your clothes off!

Immersive Experiences

We have designed a series of Immersive Experiences. Rest and reconnect by visiting sacred sites. Or feed your senses in nature.

Find out about Our Immersive Experiences

Retreats

Ann develops retreats and events around the Celtic calendar i.e. Bealtine in May, Summer Solstice in June, Lunasa in August, Samhain in October and the Winter Solstice in December.

Or create your own special retreat experience to leave you feeling relaxed, rested, revived and more connected mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Events

Xhale offers a range of events including:

Learn How to Meditate, Introduction to Mindfulness, Vitamin N (Nature) & Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Shinrin Yoku/Forest Bathing Workshops, Personalised Retreats & Immersive Experiences in Nature.

From The Blog

Ann shares the benefits of Forest Bathing with Sunshine Radio

14 April 2021

Certified Forest Bathing Guide & Shinrin Yoku Practitioner Ann Ward shows us how to make the most of nature to ease our mind, sooth our …

Belfast 89 DJ and author of “Mind Over Natter,” Tové Kane speaks to Ann Ward from Xhale

11 March 2021

Tové Kane is a Laughter Yoga Leader, Meditation Teacher and Author, “Mind Over Natter,” and a Belfast 89 Breakfast DJ talks to Ann Ward.

How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing?

5 March 2021

Some beautiful articles on the soothing and restorative benefits of nature on our holistic health, including how to bring nature inside. Also the link between …

‘It was a truly beautiful day – good for the mind and soul’.

‘It is impossible to single out any one thing as it was the complete package that made the day so magical’.

‘I can’t thank Ann enough for introducing me to this transformative and fulfilling way of living life’.

‘I found the practice of using mantras useful because it helped me to focus’.

‘Slieve Gullion is a haven and was the perfect place for this day retreat. It was an additional bonus that Ann provided a wealth of knowledge about the landscape which enhanced the beautiful guided walk’.

‘Ann's lunchtime meditation sessions really helped me gain perspective during a stressful period at work and provided a warm and welcoming space for work colleagues to share time with each other and relax’.