Yoga i Bawb – achievements, plans and history

Yoga i Bawb started when Rachel Lilley had the idea of combining her skills working in the voluntary sector with her desire to bring the benefits of yoga to a wider audience. Following conversations with CAVO and other yoga teachers it took a year to bring the group together, develop and agree a constitution, and decide our aims.

Yoga for the elderly
By September 2005 we had a development grant and we had started to work with Age Concern providing classes for the elderly in day centres in north Ceredigion. In addition we received funding to set up a class in Penparcau for the “not so young”, giving them a gentle exercise option not far from home. This class is very popular and has been self-funding for 4 years.

Yoga for children
By October 2006 we had a grant from Communities First to train one teacher to work with children. Then came a Communities Chest grant to train a teacher in yoga for the special needs child. Shortly after that we were able to run a pilot project at Llwyn Yr Eos School. This has now developed into regular sessions and as a result of the publicity Ysgol Penuwch invited us to run sessions at their school in the summer term of 2006. We have now received additional funds to work in Llwyn Yr Eos Special Needs Unit and to develop yoga in Ysgol Plascrug and Ysgol Penweddig.

Yoga for Carers
In the winter of 2006 the British Red Cross Carers group contacted us with an idea to make yoga accessible for carers. Through a Social Risk grant Yoga i Bawb was able to set up a class for carers by Easter 2006.

Yoga for people with Mental Health problems
YiB came into contact with Mind in 2006 and, following consultation with their client group, they were keen to develop a class within their new premises in Aberystwyth Town centre. Again, with the help of a Social Risk Grant YiB was able to start a class at Mind from May 2007. The continuation of this class is supported by Mind.

Yoga for pregnant women
Earlier this year we were given funds to give a teacher specialist training in working with pregnant women. Now the training is completed we are looking at setting up classes for young and teenage pregnant women. These classes have run in Machynlleth and Aberystwyth.

Further Projects
We have been successful with funding to gain the skills to work with people recovering from addictions. Classes have been set up at Rhoserchan and an arrangement with Cswllt Ceredigion Contact for members to have subsidised access to mainstream classes. We have set up classes with Ceredigion Training to support and help people who are long term unemployed. We have developed classes with Women's Aid to support women who have experience of domestic violence. Classes are held at Penglais special needs unit.

Thankyou – Our supporters
We have been surprised and are extremely grateful for the overwhelming support we have been given over the last few years. As far as we know there are no other projects like this in Wales or the rest of the UK. An article about our work in a UK wide Yoga magazine, Spectrum, prompted other yoga teachers to say they were “inspired” by our activities. One teacher congratulated us for being pioneers, especially as our work is based in “Welsh Wales” which, even in the yoga world is often marginalized and ignored.

So, it is thanks to all your support that we have come this far. To your support, our hard work and the fact that yoga is what yoga is, an excellent way of keeping fit and well, both physically and mentally. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead of us. Thank you.

List of Supporters:
Communities First Aberystwyth
Communities First Trust Fund
CAVO – Small Grants Fund
Sportlot Community Chest Fund
WCVA - Social Risk Fund