The British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) is commemorating its 60th anniversary with a virtual Summer Solstice festival on Friday 20 June. This event is part of a series of celebrations taking place across Britain throughout 2025.
The day-long online festival will feature four renowned yoga practitioners, each offering their unique perspective on the timeless practices of yoga and its relevance in today’s modern world. Vinayachandra Banavathy, Director of the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems at Chanakya University in India, will kick off the festival with an in-depth exploration of pranayama (breathwork) and meditation. Annie Cryar from Teaching Yoga Naturally will present a fusion of yoga, shiastsu, and qigong. Anatomical expert Gary Carter will share insights on movement and anatomical awareness, while BWY Diploma Course Tutor Hana Saotome will end the event with an uplifting Summer Solstice vinyasa flow.
The festivities are not limited to the virtual realm, as BWY members all over Britain are hosting local events from Tyne & Wear to the South Coast and the Welsh hills. These community gatherings welcome practitioners of all levels and offer a chance to connect, practice, and share the joy of yoga.
The 60th-anniversary celebrations are a testament to BWY’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, staying true to the vision of its founder, Wilfred Clark. What started as a three-person team in 1965 has now grown into Britain’s largest yoga membership charity, enriching the lives of countless practitioners across generations.
Diana O’Reilly, Chair of BWY, expressed her pride in celebrating 60 years of bringing the transformative benefits of yoga to communities across Britain. She stated, “Our Summer Solstice festival embodies the core values of BWY, bringing together diverse traditions and approaches while making yoga accessible to all. We are honoring our heritage while looking towards the future of yoga in Britain, connecting practitioners both online and in local communities during this special year of celebration.”
For more information on all the local and national celebrations, including booking links, visit the BWY website.
