From Derek, the Dog, Yoga Centre in Exeter, England:

Namaste Your Grace,

It's wonderful to hear from you and I'm delighted if I can be of service in some small way; thank you for your blessings.

As I said, on our side it was a very positive and uplifting evening with some wonderful comments from the people here at Derek from I quote, "Wow, I could feel his presence from the moment he entered" to "He was so knowledgeable, if there were more time would've liked to ask more questions."

We are still a very young centre, running Hatha Yoga classes for only three years now. Between the teachers here myself included, we have about 100 years Hatha and Raja (Astanga) Yoga teaching experience.

Firstly, my aim was (and is) to allow the practitioners to have an opportunity to embrace other aspects of Yoga. As you know for many people in the West, the word Yoga still means Hatha Yoga. Of course this is like thinking that all brides wear white or all cars are Fords or all dogs are spaniels. So to take time for talks and discussions like yours is so enlightening and hopefully thought provoking.

Secondly, I felt it gave people a chance to learn how to ask questions or even to know that asking questions is something one can do once an idea or concept has been considered.

Yoga is universal therefore, my wish for Exeter is to promote a healthy growing sangha and help people to realize that we are, for want of a better analogy, 2 sides of the same coin; sharing a common goal in a community promoting peace and joy with love and compassion.

Most importantly to allow practitioner to be part of something Yogic as householders, off the "Yoga mat" as well as on (something we try to impress upon in our (Hatha sessions) to which you and all Bhaktas are living proof of.

On a personal level I feel that you helped to clarify the underlying differences between Bhakti and Karma Yoga. In the first years during my life in India I asked the universe to guide me to do something where I could earn a living to be able to support myself, doing something I loved to do which could benefit others. At that time I already had a regular practice and didn't know that I'd become a Yoga teacher. This came to me as if by accident as Indian woman came to me to learn. With hindsight I see that it wasn't an accident at all, and the universe had given me exactly what I'd asked for of course. Many aspects of devotional practices fill my heart with joy particularly as you put it the "Yoga of the mouth", but I see my life at this time as Karma Yoga, dedicated to serving my community by way of Derek, the Dog, offering people a safe place to discover (dis-cover) self.

I'm working on embracing all aspects of running a Yoga centre by trying to be more impartial about all the things it involves from teaching class to doing the math to pay the bills, answering the phone and cleaning the floor.

You are warmly invited to come to see us and share your knowledge at any time you so wish. I'm sure there's so much more we could discuss in person.

Wishing you well and all those dear to you well, I pray for your continued serenity and peace...

Hare Krishna,

Fran Allen
Derek the Dog Yoga Centre
Queens Walk, Exeter
Tel: 01392 255031   
Email: yoga@derekthedog.co.uk

From The Yoga Circle in Birmingham, Alabama, USA:

Thank you so much for sharing so freely the knowledge and experience gained through your meditations. Response from my students was positive and uplifting. Many found an unexpected release by verbalizing and vocalizing in union with others. Your insights into life and its cycles was well received and helped to broaden people's outlook on a sometimes confusing world existence. I personally enjoyed the question and answer session as I love to explore things beyond the ordinary. The Hare Krishna mantra was fun and helped to clear the mind. I would have enjoyed exploring more chants in sanskrit maybe or maybe even a few sounds of 'OM'. Nevertheless everything was wonderful and the energy was inspiring. Thank you for the signed copy of Gita and thank you for blessing my studio. Best of luck although you probably don't need it. We will continue our meditation in motion called life. 

Namaste.

Stephen Fletcher
Director, The Yoga Circle
1805 11th Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
205-266-7547