British Wheel of Yoga (Northern Region) :: Latest news and information | Yoga in Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumbria, Tyne & Wear

Pam Gorst

We are sorry to advise that Pam Gorst passed away in hospital on Friday 14 May at 12.30 pm. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

The following tributes to Pam are from two of her students:

Pam
For the last few hours we have been trying to find you the right thoughts,
    But all thoughts are silent.
For the past few hours we have tried to find you the right words,
    But all words are silent.
We do not find sadness in the silence, only joy in you helping us find it.

As you surrender your last savasana, may you find freedom in the silence.
Rachel Antill

It is with great sadness that I write this tribute to my tutor, mentor and friend, Pam Gorst. She has finally lost her courageous battle against cancer, remaining as stubborn as a mule to the end.

I first met Pam when she was keeping the Treasurer of Langbaurgh Borough Council in order. She was his secretary and minder you had to get past Pam to see him. It was through our chats in her office that I decided to try yoga some twenty odd years ago. After experiencing a number of different teachers I found myself in Pam's class in Saltburn. We were a small group and I found her an inspiring teacher—someone who could relate to the spiritual aspects of practice while at the same time being firmly grounded. She summed people up quite pertly, but was never judgemental, encouraging us to discover for ourselves what other yoga teachers had to offer.

Without Pam's encouragement I would never have gone on to study the diploma course and to start teaching. She gave me the belief in myself to do this and I couldn’t have chosen anyone better to be my guide through the course.

Her refusal to bow down to her illness amazed us all, and her strength of spirit will be an enormous comfort to the family and friends she has left behind.
Gill Gittins

Dates for your Diary

BWY Congress 2010

Congress 2010 is on 9th to 11th April 2010 at Warwick University. If anyone is thinking of going and would like to share transport costs contact Maureen McCarthy (preferably by e-mail).

BWY Northern Region AGM 2010

Next year's AGM will be Sunday 10th October at the Marchesi Centre in Windermere, Cumbria.

Charity Yoga

Around 60 people attended this year’s Charity Yoga event on 21 October to raise funds for the Holistic Cancer Care Centre at James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough organised by BWY yoga teacher Kath Carrick and two of her students, who are dedicated fundraisers having had first hand experience of the Holistic Centre. Yoga teachers and beginners alike filled the gym at Grangefield Youth & Community Centre, Stockton for the yoga session of gentle asanas followed by breathing practice, meditation and relaxation.

Kath’s students served refreshments, sold home-baked cakes and ran a raffle and, together with the sale of the second Favourite Recipe booklet which this year included Hints and Tips, expect to raise over £900. Barclaycard have agreed to match the donation on a £ for £ basis up to £750.

Kath and her students would like to thank Grangefield Youth & Community Centre for free use of the gym and lounge, the advertisers in the Recipe booklet and all who attended or made donations and made the day another success.

Kath Carrick, 3 November 2009

New Committee Positions

Following the AGM there are a number of changes to Committee positions. Please see the Our Region page for up to date details.