International Yoga 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!