 ORIYI News -
January 2003 |
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6 - SARVA Opening Ceremony: Saturday, 23 November 6 - 10pm
Yes, after all these months of struggle with the council and trying to run classes whilst still refurbishing the Therapy side of the business, The Sarva Centre had its official opening celebration on the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November. We were delighted that Sheila’s Mum, Lilian Biggs was able to be our first guest teacher. It can definitely be said that Lilian introduced Sheila to yoga and has been both an inspiration and mentor to her over the years. Lilian has been coming down to teach in Hazlemere (now to High Wycombe) three or four times a year, initially so that Sheila could get to a class herself whilst teaching and bringing up her three children; now she comes down because her teaching is so much in demand. Her bubbly, yet no-nonsense style is now an inspiration to many. Our celebration took the form of a yoga class for beginners on Saturday morning, followed by a four-hour class for the more experienced students in the afternoon. That evening Lilian cut the ribbon to officially open the studio and then everyone was invited into the therapy end of the building for wine and food. Sunday morning saw dedicated yogis back at the centre for a pranayama class. Both Sheila and I are delighted by how well Sarva has been received. So many people have said so many nice things about our centre that we can’t help but feel a little pride in the place. I know pride is un-yogic but maybe we could be allowed a little bit of satisfaction at the end of all our efforts. (I say end – however I think this is only just the beginning: neither of us anticipated the amount of admin involved in running your own place. Ah well, you live and learn!) Memories of the weekend include the warm friendly atmosphere; the riot of colour presented by the vegetarian food (many items cheerfully prepared by our students); flowers, cards and thoughtful gifts; a chance to thank all those who had stood by us and offered practical help and words of encouragement; and the strangest thing of all – having Lilian teaching here on the Saturday and us being too busy to attend the class! Sarva will now go on to provide a venue for those who wish to practise Iyengar Yoga and partake in the various holistic therapies on offer (by January we will be offering: Indian Head Massage, Seated Acupressure Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Crystal Healing, and Hopi ear candles. Coming soon Ayurvedic treatments.) So if you get the chance to come and visit us, you will be warmly welcomed. Ally Hill And a students’ perspective: Sheila and Ally welcomed us with a few opening remarks and we then milled all over the place, exploring the therapy side of the premises, which operates quite independently of the yoga classes. It was a real joy to mix with fellow yoga students, almost unrecognisable in ordinary clothes, as well as some of the professionals, various family members, and friends who’d helped make the centre already look and feel as if it’s always been there. It’s wonderful not to have to lug one’s own yoga kit to classes as anything that may be needed is available (in company colours!) and there are even lockable lockers. And the remedial yoga room made a marvellous debut as a buffet dining room. I’m particularly pleased at Sarva’s success as I know it’s been Sheila’s dream for years. Sheila is a great teacher, caring and responsible and with an awesome attention to detail; and Sarva feels so right. Most of the classes are full so the timetable is being reviewed, and Ally is now focusing more on the holistic side of the centre. Sheila and Ally have been burning a lot of midnight oil to make this work – and it must be very gratifying to see it all coming to fruition at last. Meg Brinton Iyengar yoga practitioner (on and off) for 25 years; with Sheila Haswell for the last five years. And another Student’s Perspective “From the moment I enter the Sarva Centre, my troubles melt away. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and it's great to be treated as an individual within the class.” And from my Mum: 'Although I only started yoga in September, I have been made to feel a part of the pride and excitement of setting up this wonderful project.' Sara Braham |