I am still smiling from deep in my belly at the pleasure of watching my dream become reality. I had a dream that yoga could be used to create community, to do good work, to connect not only within ourselves but also to others. To this end I asked some other teachers to contribute their time so that we could build a regular monthly charity workshop to share knowledge & unite in our love of yoga whilst all proceeds go to good causes.
We did it! I can now confidently say that we have established an idea as a reality, three successful workshops with each building upon the success of the last. Different teachers & different charities every month so that we can share the love to a wider audience. Raising over ££1250 so far in 3 months and this is just the beginning…
I got wet eyes looking out at the faces of students, fellow teachers & friends who shared this experience with me. The energy is incredible. We are learning that by giving to ourselves & having fun we can also give to others…yoga with a heart rather than some of the more commercial yoga that is being offered by marketing people.
Yoga changed my world, my inner and my outer world and I wish to share that joy with as many people as possible. I dream, and being me I dream big things. I was originally inspired to do my teacher training by David Sye who used yoga in areas of conflict & with street kids. I want to take the inner peace & self knowledge that yoga can offer to those who may not previously have considered it a potential part of their world.
Yoga is being integrated into schools, prisons and hospitals. The benefits of yoga are more widely acknowledged, for example only this last year the BWY helped with a study showing yoga helps to relieve back pain. Something that effects most people at some point in their life. Yoga is being studied in America for its effect on well being and general quality of life. Basically yoga helps you smile inside and outside!
This is all great ….I want people who would never have thought to walk into a yoga class to be inspired to try it. I want the hippy, bendy view of yoga to be opened to include everyone. If you can breathe you can do yoga, for yoga is to unite.
I want this path to continue to broaden, for yoga to be shared with the young and old. For breath & relaxation to be a part of education, medicine and day to day living. To be able to do this while also raising money for good causes is another joy of yoga…for it always seems to offer more benefits than are initially feasible!
Ok so I realise that, practically, things are not going to move fast and that people will be cynical. However if you know me then you realise that i’m not really that practical and that isn’t going to stop me trying! For without trying how will I know if I could have succeeded. To try and fail just means trying in a slightly different direction next time!
So expect some more ideas, some more instances of yoga where you least expect it. Expect more charity workshops in more venues too (well I need a social life and they are great fun as well as raising money!).
Basically expect me to stir things up so that we all expand our potential and the potential of yoga in the community and for the community. Let’s allow the heart of yoga to throb with love.
