International Yoga Day
Tenth International Yoga Day 2024
Mon 17, Thurs 19 and Fri 21 June
We have been gifted with blue skies, swallows and swifts overhead and golden sunsets on Monday and Thursday. Sun dappled shade and bright green canopy on Friday.
A joy to know we are part of the worldwide yoga community especially on this day.
IYD 2023
Tues 20, Thurs 22 and Fri 23 free sessions Thursday online and
Tuesday in the hall due to inclement weather, Friday gloriously in the garden.
We set sankalpa with an intention to review progress at the Winter Solstice
IYD 2022
Tues 21 Thurs 23 and Fri 24 June wonderful free yoga in the garden and online.
Including practice on the solstice -under the trees serenaded by the birds
IYD 2021
Free online and hall sessions Tues 15, Thurs 17 and Fri 18 June
Tuesday's weather co-operated and we were in Scout Hall garden,
Thursday online and Friday in Scout Hall,
always great to share yoga in any environment!
IYD 2020
Wonderful to share free online yoga practice
Tuesday 16, Thursday 18 and Friday 19 June 2020.
Hopefully not long now until we return to glorious garden
IYD 2019
Vegan food and free yoga shared on Tuesday 18,
Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June 2019. The weather
did not allow us to use the garden this year but the
opportunity to try different tastes and experiences
for omnivores and vegans
I YD 2018
To celebrate International Yoga Day 2018 all classes
Tuesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21st June
2018 were free and held in the Scout Hall garden.
Seeds,cuttings and plants from gardens,balconies
and windowboxes were shared as seeds of
change/hope/connection/strength with our fellow
yogis.
No-one left empty handed (apart from those who
wanted to.) The weather was wonderful.
To share our yoga practice with yogis around the
world was humbling, inspiring and an amazing
celebration of all the good yoga can bring.
IYD 2017
This year we shared the fruits of our yoga in line
with the theme for this years International Day of
Yoga- Yoga for Health
Free yoga sessions were held on Tuesday 20,
Thursday 22 and Friday 23rd June 2017
Everyone brought a piece of fruit and took home a
different piece of fruit brought by a fellow yogi.
Fruits shared included pomegranates, passionfruit,
gooseberries, spinach, walnuts, pecans, almonds,
hazelnuts, brazil nuts, raisins, apples, grapes,
physalis, pineapple, oranges and strawberries.
Sharing fruit symbolised the joy and sweetness of
yoga with the added benefit of directly contributing
to each others health and well being
Congratulations to Maxine on her one year
veganniversary- Maxine went vegan on
International Yoga Day 2016 and remains vegan on
International Yoga Day 2017!
International Yoga Day 2016
Thank you to everyone who joined my free yoga
classes on Tues June 21st, Thurs 23rd & Fri 24th
2016 the weather wasn't so kind and we only got
out in to the garden during Fridays session but it
was wonderful to know we were sharing yoga
practise worldwide.
I'd asked everyone to write down what they'd
noticed had changed in their bodies/minds as a
result of their yoga practise with me-see below- a
heart felt thank you to everyone for sharing your
thoughts.
Harriet trained nurse currently working as a barista in a coffee shop
Physically increased flexibility especially in my hips.
Increased upper body strength
Mentallly; I also practise mindfulness and this
combination of yoga, prayer and meditation is
central to my emotional and spiritual well being. I
now practice yoga as a connection with my
spirituality. Ginny creates a conducive atmosphere
for this
Yoga with Ginny is life enhancing if you enter with
an open heart and mind.
Anonymous
I am more in tune with my body and mind so I can
recognise when I need to do some yoga at home. My
flexibility and strength has increased and I really
notice if I miss a class that I need to do some yoga to
balance things out in my body or calm my mind
Victoria Flood (Vicky) Army Officer
I have been able to control my nerves better prior to
doing something I find nerve wracking i.e. a
presentation at work. I use the breathing and
thinking of sitting tall and strong and also of the four
sayings ‘may I…’I love it when I’m able to attend
Lynne Stenner Health Visitor
Stronger, greater flexibility, Calmer more positive ‘I
can do it’ thinking, less fearful, happier, more
grounded, slower to get stressed
Thank you Ginny . Your classes have literally
changed my life for the better.
V P Horner (Vee) Retired
Body strength, balance, good wellbeing. Makes
more aware of diet etc. Enjoy classes weekly
reminder of calm
Debby Lecturer
Physically I developed severe back pain (for the first
time in my life). It was yoga exercises appropriate for
the condition that helped me to recover. More
effective than medication.
Emotionally/mentally; I have been able to find true
inner peace. I can tap into this at times of severe
stress and anxiety. This has had positive effects on
all aspects of emotional and mental health.
Amazing yoga teacher-thanks Ginny!
Maxine Childminder
Ginny talked about moving and stretching your
body in a way that it would not normally go and also
having this apply to your mind and thinking-giving
me not only a body more comfortable with
movements but also giving me the confidence to try
new things in my life and work.
I find it hard to put into words just how much I have
class that I enjoy all the way through, never clock
watching or wishing it would end (as I have felt in
other exercise classes) a pleasure through and
through.
Gin Publican
Physically/mentally it has given me the confidence
over time to try new things as my body has slowly
got stronger. All the tension in my shoulders/neck
has gone. My lower back is much improved.
I find that if I miss more than one week pain returns.
It is vital in winter months especially to have this
type of yoga to help me maintain flexibility.
Ginny is a fantastic tutor. Her wealth of knowledge
is amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Karen Associate Lecturer and Designer
There is a little more consciousness in my self, my
breathing and more awareness of others. I now take
a little time everyday to consider my breathing. I
think of myself in relation to the world a little more
Ginny saying no matter what there is always time to
breathe.
Sue Retired Teacher
Yoga keeps my ageing body going! I am more aware
of how it feels and can do movements to loosen up
tense, achey areas. I am more supple than I have
been for years. Emotionally I am calmer, less
anxious, more able to just go with the flow. Also I
sleep really well after a yoga session.
Thank you Ginny for your interesting, sometimes
challenging but always enjoyable sessions.
Helen O’Sullivan Teacher
I walk with my shoulders back and I am more aware
of my stance. I can easily touch the floor and feel
much more flexible. I sleep better after a yoga
session. I never find yoga easy though! When Ginny
says an easy stretch it hurts!! I wish I had
discovered yoga earlier. Thanks to my yogi friend
Emma for dragging me along!
Heike Carer
Sleep has become very deep and restful after
evening Yoga with Ginny. Sometimes I feel irritated
or restless the day after which I take as being closer
to sentiments I’m otherwise not necessarily aware
of so clearly. There have been nights following
classes with dreams of a different quality. Yoga
sessions with Ginny have refreshed and continue to
feed an interest in yoga, physical and emotional
being and all things happening inside the body
Jan Crabtree Art and Design Teacher
Regained a lot of flexibility of both mind and body-
had been telling myself I couldn’t do stuff, beating
myself up etc. Then doing the mindful mantra may I
be happy etc allowed me to appreciate myself again.
Have become more supple and strong. I am
combating arthritis which slowly inhibits and
causes pain but I am sure is less aggressive due to
my sessions weekly into the calm zone.
Many thanks for your positive approach, your well
thought out structured lesson which build on our
physical abilities and also allow us to extend our
knowledge of yoga and the path its taken to each
and every one of us
Pippa Gardener and Outdoor Play Practitioner
Beautiful Ginny who holds a space to allow each
session to be with the body in every yoga pose. I
have gained courage because I am invited not
pushed and strength because of this courage which
allows me to explore new depths
I do find I carry happiness, wellbeing, peace and
ease, thank you Ginny
Claire D Translator
I’ve discovered I breathe at a different rate to other
people (slower!?)Tuesday evenings have improved
a lot. I’m learning about chakras.
In general …yoga saved my life when I was a stay at
home Mum and has improved my health ever since
(15 years and counting)
CW Pastoral Manager
I feel more toned and my core strength has
improved. I use the relaxation techniques to help me
to settle to sleep at night. I have learnt to be more
mindful and appreciate the here and now.
Thank you Ginny for your kind and gentle approach.
Catharine Stay at Home Mum
Physically more flexible and feel lighter less
hunched up. Enjoy greater movement range.
Mentally more consistent with less severe mood
swings. One of the reasons I do yoga is to combat
depression and try to maintain consistent mental
health.
Vicki Registrar/ Carer/ Mother
I have found that by practising yoga it has really
helped to calm my mind and loosen tightness in my
body. It leaves me feeling very much at peace,
facilitating a good night’s sleep. The day following
yoga is always a positive one.
Yoga has been and will continue to be a perfect
complementary aspect to a busy life
First International Yoga Day 2015
The first United Nations designated International
Yoga Day International Day of Yoga was held on
21st June 2015.
The chosen day is the summer equinox- longest day
of the year for those of us in the Northern
Hemisphere; lots of time to enjoy yoga!
Thank you to everyone who joined with my
celebrations at my free yoga classes on Tues 23rd,
Thurs 25th & Fri 26th June 2015.
I was also celebrating my 5 year anniversary of
teaching yoga in Devizes (my first yoga home was
the Devizes Quaker Meeting House).
The weather allowed all three classes to be held in
the Scout Hall garden. Yay!