Hi there Yogis,

Post Covid there are lots of changes, not the least is the fact that IYTA is closing its doors (except to already registered clients), and YA is increasing its requirements to get certified and registered, not just by a little, but by a lot.  In my opinion, this move to increasing standards is terrific, but Yoga Australia should have done it years ago – the climate of yoga in this country is changing and their latest move I think will be ill received.  Most people who apply to join yoga now want to do as little as possible and get their certification for almost nil effort.  I will never be head of an organisation which encourages this.  However, although yoga teachers need to be trained and registered and insured, yoga does not need to be a “Doctoral Program”.  It is good there will be an option for those who want to, to do that – but it is not for everyone.  Most want to get the qualifications to teach in their community, not to teach at “university level”.

Keep in mind that we three organisations (Yoga Australia, IYTA, and our Institute) started within a few years of each other when yoga training and registration was all new and a priority.   People were happy to study, were able to read real books, and expected to WORK HARD. We corresponded by mail, and things were a whole lot slower.   This is now not the case.

I am however keeping my doors open to you all, and still running the Institute in the manner of my “heart teacher” Margrit  Segesman the founder of Gita Yoga and one of the major and first yoga teachers in Australia in the days when “yoga was yoga”.  Not goat yoga, nude yoga, hot yoga, yoga for golfers etc etc.  Yoga was and is YOGA.  A union of body mind and spirit, not a “weightloss program”.  It is difficult to make the choice to go forward with Yoga Australia – their latest demands are in my opinion, too onerous – and I like study and academic interests.  We are not all able to spend our lives increasing our yoga qualifications for a community who does not need or want them.  If you want to specialise in yoga therapy, then that is totally different.

However, until you make my position a nonsense I am not going anywhere.  I am here, and I am here for the long term – I am holding the space.  I will keep on registering, qualifying and helping my yoga teachers, graduates, and trainees to be the best they can be.  I have done it for more than 60 years (really) and it is in my cells.

To keep me here, to keep our doors open, please keep up with your registrations – otherwise we will die in the same way IYTA seems to have done.  If you have NOT finished your course but have been teaching and want to register with me, don’t wait – please apply for registration under the “GRANDFATHERING” part of our application.  I have rarely turned anyone away.  If you have friends who are registered elsewhere, (with studios who are closing their doors, or making yoga into a “Doctoral Program” they don’t want to do) or teaching unregistered, please contact me.  yogafirst2@bigpond.com  

To make it super easy I am even considering putting my registration application on Etsy.  Not quite sure how to do this responsibly, but I am sure it can be organised.  Perhaps in three steps….1. pay a deposit and 2. receive the application email, 3. complete the application, pay the balance on pay pal and be registered.  For now, email me and i will send you a registration application.

 

DISABILITY YOGA

I have finished the part one of the book and a person of authority and expertise has read it, and given a tick (I would have liked Julia Gillard to do a forword, but not a chance).  I have yet to finish and submit Part 2.  When complete I will put it on Etsy so you can all download it, and if it appeals to you,  maybe do the short course which is one of the few things which will help you work in this area of yoga – it is most rewarding and FUN.

 

STUDIO AND ON-LINE CLASSES

Our new RESTORATIVE yoga class started Sundays at 4.30.  Because I only teach a maximum of 5 students at a time, you may not be able to swap and change every time, but it does mean that if you can’t come on Wednesdays, you can replace it with a Sunday Class.  If you want to secure your place please email me or go to www.yogabeautiful.com.au for details.

Windarring Yoga –  Tues. x 2 +Thurs. + Friday

STUDIO YOGA WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm, 2.15pm Wed. Restorative 1pm.  SUNDAY RESTORATIVE CLASS –  4.30 Sunday

ZOOM TEA BAG WORKSHOP.  Mondays at 6.30 on zoom. Next class, 8th May – we prepared our tea-bags last class, now we are going to learn how to use them..

THE YOGA LUNCHEON:  “THE FULL MOON SALOON”, last Saturday in May.

SEE YOU ON THE MAT (SOMEWHERE)

NAMASTE – JAHNE