News & information
Congratulations ...
to the following new teachers:
- Sally Brandon Tutors Elaine Fletcher & Lyn Core
- Zita Thury Tutor TriYoga
- Katy Williams Tutor Diana Kendall
and to the following module passers:
- Ayurveda Module
- Barbara Dancer Tutor Cathy-Mae Karelse
- Pam Hall Tutor Tarik Dervish
- Meditation Module
- Caroline Biddle & Karen Handley Tutor Maarten Vermaase
Why I didn’t do Yoga
by Guy Oltmann-Reeve Website Administrator
I had an image of the typical Yoga student, the perfect (predominantly female) body slipping naturally into complex and sometimes disturbing postures and always in a state of perfect mental balance. Let's get something straight, I do NOT fit with this beautiful body image. In fact I am so far from this image it was frightening! I am male, fat and stressed. My body just doesn't get into those positions! Not only that, the very thought of skimpy clothing in front of a crowd of strangers is the stuff of nightmares. Give me a lonely mountain top or isolated sandy beach at sunset and I might just have thought about it (yes, I've seen some DVDs) but the thought of public display of inability was too much. Failure and ridicule was not an option and you can't fail if you don't do it!
The reality is very different. My other half is a Yoga teacher and, while there was never any pressure to even consider taking up Yoga, I started meeting people who do Yoga and hearing about the reality of Yoga practice. So, guess what? I decided to give it a go and this is what I found:
- I have yet to meet a student or teacher who was not a pleasure to know
- I have learnt that Yoga is not a competition and that it is tailored to your capabilities
- Through gentle practice I can feel real physical benefit (and I’m slowly improving!)
- Now I know what relaxation is and how necessary it is too!
I've not been doing it long and I haven't become slim and beautiful but I look forward to my practice and am a better person for doing it. Find a teacher, find a class that suits you and enjoy! My journey has started, why not start yours?
Guy Oltmann-Reeve
Website Administrator
New Website Administrator Appointed
I am very pleased to let you all know that we have a new Website Administrator – his name is Guy Oltmann-Reeve and his contact details are on Our Region page, so please feel free to contact him should you have any queries with yoga classes you have uploaded to the website or indeed any queries you may have about our website. I am sure you will make him most welcome.
Since I became Regional Officer I have been sharing my previous Website Admin duties with Edelgard, so we are both delighted to hand over to Guy, and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Edelgard for her kind assistance in keeping our website running smoothly.
Namaste,
Tim
Congress 2010 - Insight & Wisdom
My first BWY congress! A report by Michaela Welz
As I have attended the British Wheel of Yoga Congress for the first time this year, I thought I would do a review for those of you who like me previously, wondered what it is like and if it is worth attending.
This year the congress was held at Warwick University. It is a huge Campus; more like a town with all kinds of facilities, which also means that the accommodation is quite a long walk away from the other buildings, so one has to be organised to avoid the need to have to go back to the room during the day. As the weather was lovely and warm most people including myself actually quite enjoyed the walks. Accommodation and food were great. The Campus was buzzing with people as Amnesty International had a congress there at the same time.
I had wondered what it would be like to go there on my own, but there was never a moment I felt uncomfortable. There was always a chat with someone while walking and during meals. I kept on meeting some of the same fellow yogis in different classes, which was fun!
Just under 400 BWY members were attending and I have to say that Russell Brown, the congress co-ordinator, performed an organisational and logistical miracle. Everything seemed to be under control at all times and the amount of thought and preparation that went into the event was very obvious at all times. I am also quite convinced that Russell's yoga practice is more advanced than mine as he seemed to be able to be in several different places at the same time. Russell was of course just the right person to lead the brief meeting for 'Congress First Timers', which was very informative and gave us novices opportunity to ask questions.
Formal meetings in the 'theatre' were informative and not too long. David Sye lead us through a wonderful meditation at the welcome meeting. The plenary by Swami Nischalananda, founder of the Mandala Ashram in Wales, on 'Insight & Wisdom', left me with lots of food for thought. I am grateful for the opportunity to listen to Swamiji who shared his wisdom and humour with us so generously.
During the Annual General Meeting, Helen Smith handed over her responsibilities as chair to Phillip Clint which leaves the post of treasurer vacant and the BWY is looking for a volunteer. Other topics were:
- BWYQ - planned pilot projects in London, Birmingham, Durham, Colchester
- Nine of the eleven accredited groups are now signed up to the BWY
- Scotland BWY diploma will be discontinued when BWYQ commences, but there will still be a close working relationship
- We were asked to support the equity project where possible and informed that there is some funding available for related training and projects
- Regional funding was discussed and it was agreed that it would be good to find a way to transfer funds from wealthy to under-funded regions for a more balanced and fair situation
- Decline in BWY membership numbers
For me the best thing was to get to chat to so many likeminded people and, of course, the opportunity to attend so many different classes during the two days. I attended eight classes altogether, ranging from a very nice 'Morning Ease' class taught by Tim Lewis, our Regional Officer; a fantastic 'inversion immersion' with Jacqueline Purnell, who will lead the IST day on 20th June 2010 in Holyport, a yoga class for confidence; to a class on working with mental health, which was mainly a discussion about the topic and a few more equally interesting classes.
I particularly liked the three classes with Zoe Knott who shared the teaching with Be and Bob Insley, Antonia Boyle and Hugh Grainger. One of these very experienced tutors would lead the class while the others walked around to help and modify. This way everybody made really good progress with even quite advanced asanas.
I should not forget to mention the shopping opportunities in the 'Market Place' with lots of lovely stalls with great offers for yoga clothing, equipment, books, jewellery and much more!
To summarize, I have to say that I am really glad I went to the congress. It was an all round lovely and varied experience and a bit like Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha - I heard OM in everything by Sunday afternoon. I can really recommend it. Feel free to contact me if you are curious about anything else in regards to this experience!
Om Shanti
Michaela Welz
Berkshire County Representative (Acting)
Guidelines for CPD
Teachers, please note that there are important changes in the way that CPD must be recorded.
Please read NISTO’s revised Guidelines in the Teachers’ section of the Members Only pages.
Members Only access to the website
Dear Members,
You will now notice a new tab on the top navigation bar called Members Only. Clicking on this tab and entering your Membership Number will allow you access to an area where you will be able to update your contact details and view various items of information. (Please note: Access Keys are still available top right of the screen.)
If you are a Teacher, you will also be able to update your Class Details, and add, update or remove your Locum/TPOT Registrations.
This Members Only area will continue to grow, so if you feel there is any additional information that would be of general use, please feel free to contact me.
Om Shanti,
Tim
The Yoga Show, Olympia, October 2009
The first day of the Yoga Show was Friday 30th October 2009. It was an early arrival for me and I was at Olympia by 9:45 am in case Pierre Bibby, our CEO, needed an extra hand to set up the BWY stand – but all was in perfect order – he had done an excellent job... Read Tim Lewis’s article...»