In our continued efforts to foster community within our member group and encourage new ways to explore Iyengar Yoga and learn from and with each other, AIY is very excited to be launching ‘A Shared Space’.
What is ‘A Shared Space’?
It is an opportunity for members of our community to host group practice sessions. Spaces offered may be a dedicated yoga studio but may also be a village/church/community hall or simply a suitable practice space within a home. Group practices may be for 4 or 40!
We all know what self-practice is but less familiar or less integrated within our current yoga lives is group practice. After lengthy lockdowns and the movement towards online learning it is important to reconnect and share spaces again; to experience the joy and unification that practising yoga together can bring.
Group practice is a tremendous way to learn and at the same time feel connected with others. They are kind, supportive and respectful spaces. It can be inspiring to see how others practise, how props are used; we can be reminded of different approaches to asana or of those we neglect; a pair of hands can be there to help us. The supportive environment may encourage us to find courage in place of fear, to explore further and delve deeper.
How will it work?
‘A Shared Space’ will begin in January 2022 and we hope that a group practice session will be offered monthly on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
We suggest that hosts give their practice session a theme, for example backbends or Level 2 asana, so although each person’s practice will be self-directed, the explorations and energy will have a common thread. As these will be spaces of self-practice within a group with no-one leading or directing, people would of course be welcome to practise as they choose or what best suits their conditions on the day.
AIY will coordinate, timetable and list details on a dedicated ‘A Shared Space’ page on its website. AIY will also send out monthly reminder emails to its members.
The contact details of each space host will be listed and they (not AIY) will be responsible for all enquiries and the allocation of places for their group practice session.
AIY does not intend for ‘A Shared Space’ to be a fee paying or profit-making endeavour. By way of supporting the scheme and to encourage group practice AIY will contribute £30.00 towards each ‘Shared Space’ regardless of the number of participants.
People may also wish to make a donation to the host venue or to a charity when they participate in a practice session but this is very much by discretion. AIY would suggest a sprinkling of coins and no more than £5.00.
Become part of ‘A Shared Space’
If you would like to offer a space for practice please email avoniyengar@gmail.com and let us know the following details -
type of venue, location, capacity and equipment provided, if any.
We will then contact you to timetable a date, run through further practicalities and discuss a possible theme.
We plan for this scheme to run throughout the year but will timetable quarterly. We are aware that there may be occasions on which an Iyengar event is scheduled after our practice dates have been listed and that a host may wish to attend this. In such instances, a practice date could be rescheduled.
If you have any questions, please email avoniyengar@gmail.com