YOGA IN THE COMMUNITY
CYC is based in Finsbury Park, North London, an area greatly in need of social, economic and environmental regeneration.
How can yoga assist in this process? CYC ran popular low-cost courses from 1999 to 2006 in the Village Hall on Myddleton Grange, developing a programme to promote health, fitness and relaxation for local people. This resource has now been withdrawn by the landlords, Southern Housing Group, who have chosen to close the community centre. We have been forced to suspend our activities until we are able to use the Village Hall again or find alternative premises.
Our free or low-cost courses attracted members of all social classes, age groups and ethnic minorities in the N4 area. In addition there were popular free classes for those women who, for religious reasons, could not attend regular classes.
CYC was run by an active management committee of voluntary workers who were yoga students or teachers living in and around the Finsbury Park area.
We hope soon to find premises to run classes and other yoga and health-related activities.
CYC has succeeded in encouraging community spirit among its many members, by bringing together people from different backgrounds to learn and practice the ancient art of yoga. As an important part of the community's health resources, CYC has had a qualitative impact on the lives of people living and working in Finsbury Park. By motivating and empowering individuals within the community, yoga can help to promote regeneration in the area.
