Editorial : Sheila Baker

Those who receive this newsletter are teachers, students, practitioners and friends of the approach to yoga formerly known as viniyoga.

This community continues to be inspired by and committed to the teachings of Desikachar, his father Krishnamacharyia and to the excellent teachers who have devoted their yoga journeys to this work.

However, the changes which have taken place within the structure and teacher training have been troubling and confusing at times.
These changes are evolving and we are now entering a freer and more open environment which gives us more choices.

It is time for optimism, healing, a positive outlook and a celebration of the wonderful teachings which have inspired us all.

This newsletter seeks to show some of the various directions which are open to us for our continued study within this approach. It seems an opportune time to launch a new website and newsletter.

My first one to one meeting with Desikachar was at KYM 15 years ago. He asked me why I had travelled so far and what my expectations were. After I had spoken, he said that he had inhaled and heard me, that he would go away and retain that, would return to our next meeting and exhale with a plan of action for me to retain. (Something like that)
This image of the two way process always impressed me and was the inspiration for the title of the newsletter which Jenny and I produced about 10 years ago called AK.BK. There were six copies over four years with colourful and energetic content.

The newsletter has had several incarnations since then. After a brief rest, it re-emerged with a new team, format and energy.

Hard work and strong commitment from so many have kept the newsletter as a regular contact point.

This latest newsletter is now electronically produced. It has a new editorial team and a different visual image. We hope that this will symbolise strength and optimism with clarity.

Introducing…………. IN

This felt to be a good time to refresh the image and change the energy.

I tried to think ‘outside the box’, but surprisingly had a strong vision of two letters which were ‘inside the box’, like a stamp or hallmark. These letters were quite simply …… IN.
Crisp, clear and zen-like.

IN is INcredibly flexible and INfINitely variable yet with a strong foundation or root. Sound familiar?
As a prefix it represents so much of our work. We have INspirational teachers who have encouraged INtelligent and INnovative application of ideas according to INdividual needs. The source of our INput is IN INdia.

WithIN words IN also plays a role as we search for the divINe, work out how to lINk with the source or refer nostalgically to vINiyoga.

We want to stay IN touch with each other and the evolving yoga world.

So the first issue is called IN …………… touch. This is vital because we need our community to feel connected.
IN is also versatile as it can be changed according to the theme of each issue.

There has to be a two-way flow, so after the INhale and pause there is an Exhale and pause. The next issue could be titled IN………. EX

I hope very much that that we can INform and INspire you to become INvolved too.
We await an INteraction and EXchange of ideas.

Sheila Baker