The British Wheel of YOGA The British Wheel of Yoga - The Governing Body for Yoga in Great Britain ohm symbol
Home
About Yoga
About the BWY
Find a local teacher
BWY Courses
Join the BWY
News and Events
Contacts and Links
Visit the CCPR - One voice for sport and recreation website
Click to visit the Sport England website
BWY Shop
News

British Wheel of Yoga 40 Years of the British Wheel of Yoga

Jan 2005

Forty years ago founder Wilfred Clark had a vision of an organisation that would act as a unifying force for yoga in the UK.

From a handful of people grouped around Wilfred all those years ago, the BWY has become the leading yoga organisation in Britain. We have the largest membership and are the biggest teacher training body.

Wilfred Clark began teaching Oriental Philosophy at the Workers Educational Association in Birmingham. It wasn’t until 1962 that the first hatha yoga class involving postures began, and the Birmingham Yoga Club was developed. By 1964 the Birmingham club had evolved into the Midlands Yoga Association.

Wilfred quickly realised that a national focal point for yoga was needed – an organisation that would co-ordinate activities, arrange teacher training and send out information. In 1965 his dream was realised with the setting up of The Wheel of British Yoga.

Right from its inception until the present day the Wheel has been sustained by the hard work of volunteers who have freely given their time. This army of karma yogis have seen their efforts bear much fruit over the years, some of which are listed below:

1967 The Wheel holds its first “rally” at the Market Hotel in Birmingham
1970 Launch of quarterly magazine (later named Spectrum)
1972 The European Union of National Federations of Yoga is established
1975 A programme is drawn up to provide a minimum statement of principles on which affiliated bodies should base their teacher training
1973 The Wheel ratifies its first constitution and begins to hold elections for those standing for office
1976 Formal adoption of the name The British Wheel of Yoga
1987 BWY Central Office established at Sleaford
1995 The Sports Council awards BWY Governing Body status for yoga in Great Britain
1999 A full time Office Manager is employed at Central Office
Click to go back to news and events!
©<%= year(date()) %> British Wheel of Yoga.
Registered Charity No. 264993 Patrons: Satish Kumar, Dr. Rosy Daniel BSc MBBCh, Kausthub Desikachar
Join the BWY