Grampian Yoga Association – An Introduction
Janet
Ollason 01771 623402 Pam Welsh 01339 882272 |
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Grampian
Yoga Association was founded over 20 years ago, in 1984, as a branch of the
Scottish Yoga Association. The first
Chairman was Richard Ward, supported by Secretary Margaret McAllister,
and Treasurer Shelagh Brown. Ian
Scorgie, who instigated the Aberdeen Yoga Centre in 1960, became the
Association’s Honorary President.
Charitable status was obtained early on.
The
aim of GYA was to promote yoga within the Grampian area. To do this, it held classes during the week
and throughout the summer, organised seminars, sponsored trainee teachers, and
issued newsletters. The membership soon
rose above 100, and has remained at this level.
Seminars
in spring and autumn continue to this day, and are generally well
attended. Tutors have come from
Scotland, England and further afield, and include Ian Scorgie, Swami Pat
Chittananda, Sri Indra Nath, Swami Pragyamurti, Paul Harvey, Sadie Mulvanny,
Swami Dharmananda Saraswati, Nicolette King, Maire Quail, Margo von Romberg,
Louise Simmons, Soren Rasmussen, Peter Blackaby and Elaine Ormiston.
The
summer classes, given by a rota of local teachers, have also proved very
popular, introducing new people to yoga, and providing an opportunity to
continue attending a class at a time when many teachers are on holiday.
The
current committee of GYA includes many long-serving members who continue to
promote yoga in Grampian. The roles of
Secretary and Treasurer are both held by Pam Welsh who was on the
original founding committee in 1984. Joan
Honeyman has been on the committee since 1986, and she succeeded Chris
Benton as chairperson in 2005, serving until 2008. Committee Member Allison Summers has also
been involved with GYA since the earliest days. Janet Ollason and Sandra Cook were co-opted as
ordinary members in 2007, and in 2008, Janet Ollason became chairperson.