July 2025 Newsletter – Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre

Viniyoga Teacher Trainer Graduation

Kim Mackie and I have arrived back from Chiang Mai in Thailand, proudly bearing our teacher trainer certificates in Viniyoga. Over the last two years, Kim and I have been part of a group of 16 experienced Viniyoga Teachers and Viniyoga Therapists, undergoing intensive hybrid training (both online and offline modules), and have just graduated as Viniyoga Teacher Trainers. With this certification, we are now authorised to conduct official Viniyoga Teacher Training programs in our respective countries, following the high standards of the tradition.

It was an honour to train with teachers from Japan, Korea, China, New Zealand, India, Italy, Belgium and Spain. We all graduated on the auspicious day of June 21st, International Yoga Day and the birthday of Sri TKV Desikachar, who, as the son of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, “The Father of modern yoga”, brought Viniyoga to the West.

“Viniyoga is the appropriate adaptation of Yoga’s holistic tools such as Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, chanting, Mantra, and meditation to meet the needs of the individuals respecting differences in age, culture, religion, philosophy, occupation, physical, emotional and other health parameters that define each practitioner.”

– ‘Sir’ TKV Desikachar

Viniyoga International Conference

We were in Thailand for 2 weeks, the first week finishing our teacher trainer course, and the second week we were joined by Fred Burnham, Sarah Ryan and Arianna Puran Udini for a Viniyoga International Conference.

With around 100 participants from across the world, we shared in a week of learning, connecting and celebrating Viniyoga. We were deeply honoured by the presence of Madam Menaka Desikachar, TKV Desikachar’s wife who led us each day with Vedic Chanting.

Teacher Training Course 2026

Kim and I will start a teacher training course next year for anyone interested in becoming a yoga teacher in this tradition. We will hold an introductory day in the Autumn with more information for those who might be interested. Contact Kim or me if you would like to register your interest or find out more.

Kim Mackie

Kim Mackie has changed the focus of her classes, and from July, she is offering: Mondays – Yoga To Reduce Stress and Anxiety; and Saturdays – Yoga To Improve Energy and Circulation. You can find more about these classes here.

She is also offering 3 workshops throughout the next few months, along with her husband Fred. The first one is this month, Saturday 20th July, 2.00-3.30 pm – Yoga For Spine Health

Maxine Craig

Maxine Craig is offering a workshop in July called ‘Yoga Zen and Hara – The Vital Centre‘. She is often asked, “What is Zen Yoga?“. She says, “I could summarise and say that it is physical movement for mobility and strength, and mindfulness for calming and steadying a busy mind, but it is so much more… and yet fundamentally simple.”

And what exactly is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the secret to bringing all our experiences to life, without which we find ourselves either rushing towards or away from things, or drifting without direction or sense of participation. When your mind stays in one place, it is like beginning an adventure, and right there unravels the adventure of you. This one place is the present ‘now’ moment. By learning to follow your own map, your body, you awaken the mind, which by design reciprocates in guiding you, in telling you just what your body, your whole being, needs for wellness.

With an emphasis on physical alignment, mindful breath and movement, Zen Yoga supports core stability, joint health, and builds overall strength, balance and mobility. Qi gong and meditation elements help practitioners connect with the body, experience mental clarity, bring emotional resilience, and feel a reduction in stress.

As well as Maxine’s Monday morning class, she is starting a Sunday evening class in September from 5.00-6.00 pm called Body Flex & Flow. A special fusion of yoga, Tai-Chi inspired movement, and Pilates set to uplifting and motivating music.

Following a gentle Tai-Chi inspired warm-up, we’ll flow together through a selection of standing and sitting yoga sequences, Pilates-based core work, and finish with a restful guided relaxation. With a variety of music as the backdrop, this class will round off your weekend & set you up for the week ahead. Beginner or not, this class has something for everyone and is suitable for all.

You can contact Maxine on zenwaichi@outlook.com for more information on any of the above.

Only you can give yourself closure!

Last month, we looked at: The only one who can change you is YOU! The first of 8 uncomfortable truths based on the yoga philosophy of Patanjali. This month, we discuss the second uncomfortable truth: Only you can give yourself closure!

Maybe you were in an unhealthy relationship with someone, or you went through a traumatising experience. It could also be that you are still trying to move on from someone who abandoned you. Whatever it may have been, you must understand that while your trauma is not your fault, your healing is your responsibility. Closure is not something you get from someone else. It is something only you can give yourself, as it is a choice you make to move forward. Keep going, and do not let your pain define you anymore. Closure is the peace of mind that only you can give yourself.

There will be no newsletter in August, so July and August’s events are both listed below. Enjoy the rest of the Summer and the beauty of nature all around us.

Namaste,
Sharon