Grampian Yoga Association – An Introduction
Joan
Honeyman 01224732146 Pam Welsh 01339 882272 |
|
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. Joan
Honeyman has been on the committee since 1986, and in 2005, she took over
the role of Chairperson from Chris Benton. The roles of Secretary and Treasurer are both held by Pam
Welsh who was on the original founding committee in 1984. Committee Member Allison Summers has
also been involved with GYA since the earliest days. The current committee is completed by Janet Ollason and Sandra
Cook, who were co-opted as ordinary members in 2007.