If you’re a yoga teacher based in Northumberland (like I am) it can seem like there’s not many of you about! The most unpopulated county in England is beautiful, peaceful and spacious. But, if you want to make connections, then it can sometimes feel like the Zoom is the best option. That’s why it’s been my great pleasure to have got involved with the local branch of the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) as an area representative – and to have taken up the reins for running the local Northumberland Yoga Group.
The great thing about attending and helping organise regional BWY sessions is the feeling of community, or Sangha, that comes with it. There are so many great people in the North East who are so dedicated to yoga that it’s impossible not to be inspired. There’s a yearly yoga festival, regular workshops with visiting experts and meetings of loosely BWY affiliated local teachers’ groups. I’ve personally been involved in arranging for inspiring London-based yoga Nadia Gilani, the ‘Yoga Dissident’ and author of The Yoga Manifesto to deliver a half-day workshop in North Shields on 24 June about “Making yoga more accessible and ‘inclusive’” as part of her round-Britain tour (read about her in The Guardian).
And then there’s the Northumberland Yoga Group – a great chance to share, make connections and practice together with other yoga teachers and practitioners in the region. The first face-to-face gathering for a while takes place on Saturday 29 April 10am-12pm at Longhorsley village hall, just north of Morpeth. There will be a practice session led by the local legend Pam Snowball followed by hot drinks and chat. I hope to see as many local yoga teachers there as possible.
Of course, it’s not all solitary up here for yoga teachers. I do have some fantastic friends and colleagues at The Alnwick Garden teaching for the Elderberries community programme, Sam Kelly and Sophie Hastings you know who you are!
Anyone else in the region wants to get in touch please drop me a line on northumberlandyogagroup@gmail.com
