Dear friends, I would like to offer the following thoughts with regard to the possible development and future of the Independent Yoga Network.

The Vision Thing:
By establishing the underpinning standards of the Yoga Register, Peter Yates (heart yoga) and Godfri Devereux (windfireyoga) have addressed the socio-political reason we got together.
Initially, we were all spurred into reaction against the appalling prospect of our beloved Yoga being stripped of its integrity by the fitness industry and misguided yoga organisations.

However, and as I have highlighted during our first IYN meetings, I see a higher and more positive purpose in our coming together (and a Divine Hand, if I may make so bold). It’s one I’d like to see written into our Constitution or Mission Statement, and that’s ‘Satsang’ (fellowship with truth). I’d always understood this, in practice, to refer to a coming together for loving support and mutual growth. Would our meetings have been so well attended if our sole aim had simply to be to create a yoga register? I think not. Certainly, the chance to interact with our peers and others who understand the pressures and joys of teacher training was part of the attraction for both Ros and I.

Satsang:
My first experience of Satsang was with my fellow yoga students and gurubai (brother and sister disciples) from the early 70’s. We sought mutual support, study, friendly encouragement and inspiration for yoga practice during those times when, inevitably, the road to personal growth gets a little rough. For me, the delightful benefits included the formation of a kirtan band, recording projects, yoga magazine publishing, opening yoga centres, guru seva (service) and a host of delightful communal activities that have lead to a lifetime of friendships.

And I am pleased to say that our IYN meetings have already served to bring us closer together and we’ve seen the start of burgeoning friendships with our peers. Not only that, I think everyone deserves a pat on the back for the general harmony and lack of ego-centredness that characterizes our get-togethers. As well as allowing us to romp through an otherwise laden agenda I am delighted to report a string of unqualified agreements and decisions that lead to concerted action. Believe me, if you’ve ever sat through tedious and contentious meetings, you’ll know how refreshing that can be. Ros and I truly feel we have taken all of you in our IYN group to our hearts and would be honoured to call you our friends.

Specialist Teachings – Skills Sharing:
And what has come out of this fruitful association? Well, through meeting Duncan Hulin (Devon School of Yoga) we were put in touch with his wonderful ‘anatomy & physiology’ man, Keith, and thereby improved our Teacher Training qualitatively. We are also considering the possibility of introducing other specialist teachers from the IYN ranks who have a love and passion for their particular specialty, Gita, Patanjali, etc. Ok, we can all teach the full panoply of Yoga, but I bet we could offer even better courses, with improved standards, if we were to share resources and talents with each other.

Apart from the political agenda, Ros Widdowson and I relish the possibilities of face-to-face time with some of the finest teachers around. Who could resist that allure? The group may recall my optimism for the positive opportunities of our association - one which would transcend our current, immediate concerns regarding teacher training issues and explore the following range of ideas;

Yoga Summer Festival:
I mentioned the possibilities of us arranging an IYN Yoga Festival and similar events. Worralls Grove in Upper Arley, Worcs is now the official headquarters of the IYN and the farmhouse, mill, river walks and surrounding forests and land would make an excellent backdrop for a Summer Festival. As a great fan of kirtan, I plan to issue invitations to all yoga groups to take part in a get-together on our land.

Charity Support:
And what a great delight, recently, to meet with Swami Ambikananda and Manisha (Traditional Yoga Association and the Mukti Project). They shared with us their commitment to the Railway Children charity project. Our students have expressed a wish to take part in her ‘Surya Namaskar-thon’ and other fundraisers. I’ll bet other IYN members have similar connections and charity commitments we could support. We heartily recommend Chrissie Coburn-Krzowska’s long-term initiative to educate Tibetan refugee children - the Tibetan Education and Relief Association.

Collaborative Book Projects:
Arising out of our own current teacher training activities, Ros and I are writing another book (nine published so far) - this one on Yoga Teacher Training. Originally conceived as an open-book project that would underpin our teacher training courses, it could equally well become a joint IYN project. I’ve been so impressed with the level of debate and some of the article writing from our IYN members. It’s been world class and I’m looking forward to the web site showcasing the level of debate. I would like to propose we collaborate on a book (possibly a series of illustrated essays on the teaching of yoga?) With inputs from the members of the IYN we’d demonstrate our leadership of the field by making this an indispensable aid for prospective yoga teachers.

Holiday Master Classes:
Or what about the suggestion that was made for a holiday-venue get-together for IYN members? The idea of us all presenting our creative approachs to Yoga to each other – wonderful! What if these experimental master classes were not only for the inspiration for ourselves but were filmed / photographed and talks recorded to became core training aids? The paucity of the fitness industry’s own materials, particularly the quick-fix junk courses, would be all too apparent to prospective teachers – particularly when we promote these IYN standards in the yoga press and on the web more widely.

Bursaries:
Peter Yates suggested that funds from our Network might offer bursary-style places for sincere, though impecunious, aspirant teachers. I would hope they would be at IYN member schools (knowing the creative impetus behind such independently-minded courses).

Withstanding the Corporatisation of Yoga:
Our most important initiative, at this time, is the socio-political one to prevent the corporatisation of Yoga. Already though, through our Network, I can see so many benefits that, frankly speaking, I would have hoped to see (but only in my wildest dreams) from conscious, lovingly creative Yogis coming together. So, let’s take our initiatives a stage further and produce stunning literature, enjoy memorable get-togethers and give even more to those who could use our support (disadvantaged youngsters) and the next generation of Yoga teachers.

Instead of merely demonstrating to the fitness industry, government agencies, councils, studios and centres that our standards are the very highest and vital to the future of Yoga in the UK, Europe and abroad, why don’t we be more proactive and show them what an organized, creative Network can accomplish? Ros and I are excited about what the IYN can achieve and we’d love to hear of your visionary ideas. What do you hope the Independent Yoga Network might achieve?

The above contribution represents the personal views/researches of the author - a founder member of: www.independentyoganetwork.org. Swami Tantramurti Saraswati may be contacted directly at: info@hi-ki-yoga.co.uk or www.hi-ki-yoga.co.uk (International tel: + 44 1299 861222 UK tel: 01299 861222).

You may also wish to discuss/debate the issues raised in this article in our IYN Forum by clicking on the link below:
(IYN-105) The Vision Thing. We value your feedback, information and personal experiences and would be pleased to hear from you.