WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOLS
Welcome to Acharya Girish Jha and his school Shreyas Yoga based in New Jersey, and
FRYOG, a very venerable British School, currently Chaired by Carole Kerton, and
the Traditional Yoga Association which is based in Reading and headed by Swami Ambikananda
Saraswati.
OLYMPIC YOGA
Jeremy Jones commented:
“My first reaction to the idea of yoga as an Olympic sport was unprintable – even
in Namaskaram! Like most readers, I took up yoga for more than one reason but one
of the things that drew me to it was its non-competitive ethos. I would have nothing
to prove and, unlike the workplace I was enduring, nobody trying to score points
over me. Much of that will change if yoga is televised competitively. I also fear
that there will be many injuries incurred by foolish individuals trying to ape what
they see on the screen, though that risk also applies to bona fide sports, of course. The
upside is that it might increase interest – though that interest is likely to be
very superficial and short-lived.
The problem as I see it is that there is very little we can do about it. If an organisation
with enough enthusiastic members wants to apply for Olympic status, neither the IYN
nor any other organisation can stop them. As I understand it, competition yoga has
quite a following in India, though very little anywhere else, so they may be on a
hiding to nothing. A sport has to have some sort of international following to acquire
the coveted status. I can’t see it happening – or am I being a hopeless optimist?
Another point – if it’s televised, will anyone watch it? It will certainly lack
the glamour and excitement of ice skating, gymnastics and other competitive arts. I
think I’ll stick to watching cricket.”
FREEDOM IN VIRGINIA
Here at Namaskaram we love good news and it seems that some has come to light from
across the pond.
Yogis in Virginia have successfully had a Senate Bill passed giving them exemption
from Government Regulation.
Their case was based on their constitutional right for freedom of speech.
This is great news. Small independent schools could simply not have survived with
the burdensome regulation and licensing costs.
Yoga might have fallen entirely into corporate hands with the added shackles of Government
interference.
In resisting such overbearing bureaucracy, Yoga will have the chance to flourish
and proliferate, and be allowed do its work in the world.
Matthew Head
NEWS & COMMENT
A MESSAGE FROM ELLEN LEE - IYN’S NEW CHAIR
I have reached a stage in my life – in my 54th year – where “challenge” presents
on a daily basis!!
So now I find myself with the “challenge “of taking on the role of IYN Chair. I
can feel a good, healthy mix of Solar Plexus energy – some excitement, some trepidation,
and above all else a feeling of it being “appropriate”.
I am passionate about Yoga, have been for over 30 years, and I am equally passionate
about the IYN. I value and believe very strongly in the work it has been doing, and
will continue to do in respect of keeping Yoga free and authentic.
Therefore, I meet this challenge with full attention and awareness – and honesty,
and I look forward to serving the IYN, and all its members.
ELLEN LEE
