The British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), Britain’s largest yoga membership charity, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a series of events across the country. As part of these celebrations, the BWY will be hosting an online Summer Solstice festival on Friday, 20 June 2025.
The day-long festival will feature four renowned yoga practitioners, each offering a unique approach to the timeless practice of yoga and its relevance in the modern world. Vinayachandra Banavathy, Director of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems at Chanakya University in India, will kick off the event with a deep exploration of pranayama (breathwork) and meditation. Annie Cryar from Teaching Yoga Naturally will present a fusion of yoga, shiatsu, and qigong. Anatomical expert Gary Carter will share insights into movement and anatomical awareness, while BWY Diploma Course Tutor Hana Saotome will lead an uplifting Summer Solstice vinyasa flow.
The festival is not limited to the online community, as BWY members across Britain will also be hosting local events from Tyne & Wear to the South Coast and the Welsh hills. These community gatherings welcome yoga practitioners of all levels, providing opportunities to connect, practice, and share in the joy of yoga.
The 60th anniversary celebrations are a testament to BWY’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, in line with the vision of its founder, Wilfred Clark. What started as a small, three-person team in 1965 has now grown into Britain’s largest yoga membership charity, enriching the lives of countless practitioners across generations.
Diana O’Reilly, Chair of BWY, expressed her pride in celebrating 60 years of bringing yoga’s transformative benefits to communities across Britain. “Our Summer Solstice festival embodies what BWY stands for – bringing together diverse traditions and approaches while making yoga accessible to everyone. We are honoring our heritage while looking towards the future of yoga in Britain, connecting practitioners both online and in local communities during this special year of celebration.”
For more information on all local and national celebrations, including booking links, visit the BWY website.
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