‘I’m always looking at what’s next’: Cork's Hazel Buckley on her latest project

From selling concrete truck mixers, to software programming, to running a city-centre boutique with her pal, Hazel Buckley has had a variety of diverse careers.

But one thing that’s been a constant throughout them all has been her love of yoga, and it wasn’t until the passing of her beloved mum that she decided to take a leap of faith and retrain as a yoga teacher.

“That’s when I really found my calling,” said mum-of-three Hazel, originally from Ballincollig and now living in Douglas.

Since then, and over the past 15 years, she has established and developed The Yoga Tree, a wellness brand that brings together a community of yoga enthusiasts of all ages and abilities through an online app. She has taught studio classes and run high-end wellness retreats, and most recently, she’s launched a luxury yoga mat range.

“I’m always looking at what’s next!” said Hazel.

The 45-year-old was introduced to yoga by her mum, Norma.

“She studied occupational therapy in London in the ’60s and one day she was painting the nails of her patients in hospital and realised that this simple thing cheered them up far more than anything else, so she retrained in beauty therapy.

“After working in London for a few years she came back to Cork, met my dad and raised a family, and she was way ahead of her time, putting a big focus on wellbeing and self-care, training as a Reiki master and practicing reflexology,” said Hazel.

The Cork woman actually went to her first yoga class with her mum when she was just 17.

Having studied computer science in UCC (maths is her ‘thing’), she travelled the world before taking a ‘big girl job’ in IT in London aged 26.

“I was only there six days when mum was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer, very rare and very aggressive. She was only 56 and seemed so healthy so it came as a huge shock. She had gone into hospital on my birthday to have gall stones removed and it was only discovered then,” said Hazel.

Two months after her diagnosis, Norma was buried, two days before Christmas Eve.

“I was very lucky as I got to drop everything and move home and having that time with her was precious,” said Hazel, displaying the positivity her mum instilled in the family.

It was her passing, she said, that gave her the ‘kickstart’ to undertake her yoga teacher training when she was 19.

“I loved it straight away. You never know what people are carrying on their shoulders coming in, but seeing them leave so much lighter is always so rewarding,” she said.

Her dad sadly passed seven years ago, also from cancer.

An accountant and entrepreneur, she inherited his business acumen.

“I remember he used to say that no matter what you work at, if you love it you’ll always do well,” she said.

Hazel’s passion for yoga and growing the business is infectious.

Since her initial training in Galway, she has trained in London, Amsterdam and throughout Europe, teaching everything from face yoga, pre and post-natal yoga, yoga Hiit, sculpt and iron yoga (with weights) and more.

“I always wanted an online platform and covid gave me that kickstart that I needed. I think everything happens for a reason and while computers wasn’t the career for me, my computer science background definitely helped with that. We now have over 400 recorded classes of different kinds, along with meditation, nutrition advice and recipes. I also have a monthly health and well-being guest that I feature.”

On top of all that, along with running a busy household with her husband and three children aged 12, 10 and 7, she’s a regular contributor to Virgin Media’s Ireland AM and RTÉ’s Today Show.

Hazel always had a dream to create functional but beautiful mats, and much of the past year was spent researching and developing The Yoga Tree mats. At 4.5mm thick, they provide optimal support and cushioning, are made from PU (polyurethane) fabric for superior grip (even when sweaty), and feature an eco-conscious design.

The collection includes five designs, created in collaboration with international artists. One is entitled ‘Barleycove Bliss,’ inspired by the West Cork beach where Hazel teaches during the summer months.

“I think yoga is like an artform and you should practice on a piece of art. When you look at the mat, it should make you feel good.

“So much thought, energy, and love have gone into this collection, and I’m thrilled and really proud to finally share it with the world,” she said.

For anyone looking for a new hobby, Hazel insists yoga is suitable for everyone.

“It doesn’t matter if you can’t touch your toes, it’s not competitive at all. The skills you learn on the mat - being present, being able to decompress, conscious breathing - can be taken into life as well. There are so many benefits – I could talk for hours!”

Not surprisingly, Hazel has lots more ideas in the pipeline.

“The plan is to have a new mat collection every season. I’m also researching yoga leggings, which I hope to have next year. I feel really lucky and often think that mum is orchestrating things from above and helping to create these exciting opportunities for me.”