I have been a member of the BWY (British Wheel of Yoga) for about three years now, which has been great – opening my eyes to the yoga world here in Britain. It was through the Wheel’s own quarterly magazine that I came to know of the Mandala Yoga Ashram in Wales and it is through them that I hope to find a teacher training course. Last year I was keen to attend Congress, especially as I was feeling outside the ‘yoga loop’. However, as I was on foreign shores, logistically, it was all too difficult (as well as being rather expensive!). So, this year, I promised myself I would go, it was to be a re-introduction to the British yoga scene and an opportunity to meet some of the teachers who run teacher training courses.
Over the weekend I tried out a number of different classes, one of which was again, anusara yoga: I just wanted to see if it really was as challenging as I’d remembered – and yes, it was! (though, I have to say I actually enjoyed it a little this time). The other sessions were gentler but insightful: I gained some headstand tips, enjoyed some chanting, tried a walking meditation and learnt how mimicking a gorilla would ease me nicely into a beautiful downward dog! I soaked up new ideas like a sponge and diligently made notes of new practices, as I knew they would otherwise be soon forgotten. I learnt that I need to be more patient in my own practice and also, that I should be more ‘playful’ – enjoying and exploring movement more.
The people I met were also really friendly, as I was there on my own, others seemed keen to talk to me and share yoga stories – if these are the people yoga creates, then what a wonderful world it would be if we all practiced it. On the Saturday night there was a celebration dinner and barn dance to mark 50 years of the BWY and thanks to a bunch of cheerful East-Midlanders, this event was transformed from a daunting experience to an evening of good fun and laughter. I had planned to sneak away after the dinner and return to my room before the barn dance commenced, but thanks to the lovely lady who got me dancing, I had what was probably the most fun I’d had in a long while (or, at least, since my Hen-Do… thanks again guinea pigs!!!!). I also learnt something that evening too – that British yogis like wine (yes, that’s right, there was alcohol present) and, are you ready, come closer so I can whisper it… some of them even eat meat?!!!!
Concluding Thoughts
So, I came away from the weekend feeling spiritually refreshed and extremely well-stretched. The idea that yoga welcomes all was really hammered home. It wasn’t, as one may have expected, a weekend of super slim and sinewy women prancing around in skin-tight lycra, wrapping their legs around their necks as they grazed on lettuce: It was a weekend of friendly, extremely smiley people of all shapes, sizes and ages sharing their love of yoga.
Thank you BWY and a huge thank you to those lovely people I met for contributing to a truly wonderful experience.
Yogi Bakes 