Description

BWY Wales & The Harmony Institute: Nature, Community & Wellbeing 

Join us to celebrate 60 years of BWY with a weekend of yoga, discussion and reflection led by Wales-based yoga teachers, scholars and wellbeing experts. Together, we’ll explore the theme of ‘Harmony’ — how reconnecting with nature, community and mindful practice can help restore balance in ourselves and the world.

Held in partnership with The Harmony Institute at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), the event draws inspiration from the book, Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World, by the University’s patron, the then Prince of Wales.

This event offers 14 sessions in total:

• 8 sessions in the Founders Library, including the opening address each day (highlighted in light red on the timetable).
• 6 additional sessions (Arts Hall / Old Hall / Outdoor Lecture Theatre), including morning yoga, rhythmic drumming, mandala-making and an optional gong bath on Saturday evening.
• A vegan/vegetarian lunchtime meal and afternoon rrefreshments served in the Dining Hall are included on both days.
• Subsidised overnight B&B accommodation at UWTSD available.
• Marketplace in the Dining Hall with a variety of stalls to explore.

Tickets

• Early bird tickets are available until Saturday 24 May, thereafter full price tickets will be available.
• Discounted weekend tickets available for UWTSD staff, students & graduates and collaborators with the Harmony Project including the College of Medicine and Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture.

Important Notes

• If you are a BWY Member, please login to purchase tickets.
• You do not need to be a BWY member to attend this event but you will need to create a free user account to book tickets. Once logged in, please search for 'Welsh festival of yoga' in Yoga Search and you will be able to purchase tickets. Click here to set up a free user account: https://portal.bwy.org.uk/register/step_3.

Additional Information

Timetable

Meet the teachers

Marye Wyvill -  yoga teacher trainer of Bones for Life and co-director of Movement Intelligence UK. www.movementintelligence.co.uk 

Bones for Life uses gentle, natural movements to help improve posture, flexibility and stability – all key for keeping bones strong and healthy. 

Saturday 8.30am: In her session, Marye will explore how to move more easily and enjoy everyday tasks more. You’ll learn how your spine naturally responds to pressure – helping you move forward with confidence or stay steady and supported.

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Dr. Nicholas Campion - Associate Professor in Cosmology and Culture at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, where he also directs the Harmony Institute and the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture. He is Programme Director for MA courses in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology, and Ecology and Spirituality. His upcoming book Harmony: A Green Philosophy of Politics, Society and Sustainability (2026) explores the intersection of harmony, ecology, and society.

Saturday 10.25 - explore the concept of Harmony, examining how various traditions – from the West to India and China – view the universe as an interconnected unity. He’ll discuss how yoga can help maintain balance in both our lives and the cosmos.

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Nick Edge / Swami SatyaDaya - Director of Mandala Yoga Ashram. After discovering yoga in Nepal, he found a deep connection to its teachings, which offered him answers to life’s profound questions. A passionate wildlife photographer and nature lover, he believes that time spent in nature is essential for human wellbeing, offering a spontaneous form of meditation. www.essentialnatureyoga.co.uk | www.mandalayogaashram.com/swami-satyadaya.

Saturday 11.30 - Nature, Community & Wellbeing - Explore the deep relationship between our inner & outer worlds (includes awareness meditation practice and satsang/Q&A).

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Swami Krishnaprem is one of the senior teaching team at Mandala Yoga Ashram – www.mandalayogaashram.com  Over 25 years of consistent practice, he has matured into a knowledgeable and inspiring teacher with a wise, humble, and gentle presence. As well as teaching in the Ashram, he also teaches seminars around the UK and in Europe.  He describes his spiritual journey as 'touching the ground of existence', 'a surrendering to the Divine' and 'a coming home' and is deeply grateful for the many joyful gifts of grace he has received along the way.  His primary yogic path is a combination of Bhakti Yoga ('Yoga of the Heart') and Gyana Yoga ('The Path of Insight or Wisdom'), supported by an integrated practice of all the main paths of yoga.  Although he continues to teach regularly at the Ashram, he recently moved out of the Ashram to explore living life in a different way. As part of this life transition, he is also deepening his counselling, funeral celebrant, and death doula roles in service to the individuals and communities around him - https://www.chrisevans-celebrancy.co.uk/  These skill sets enhance his natural empathy, sensitivity and skilfulness in guiding people on the spiritual path.

Saturday 13:30 - Practice to replenish and expand the experience of energy within.

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Richard Dunne  - founder of The Harmony Project to help young people learn from Nature and apply its principles – such as interdependence, cycles, and diversity – to live sustainably. After developing the Harmony approach as Headteacher of an Ofsted Outstanding school, Richard now shares this innovative educational method across schools worldwide. His teacher’s guide - promoting sustainability in education - is endorsed by the Department of Education and has been translated into nine languages. www.theharmonyproject.org.uk 

Saturday 15:15 - Harmony in Nature

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Michael Dooley - Consultant Gynaecologist with over 30 years' experience in female health care, specialising in hormone measurement, PMS, menopause, and fertility. He has worked with the British Equestrian Federation and was the lead gynaecologist at the London 2012 Olympics. Michael is a visiting professor at Bournemouth University, Treasurer of the College of Medicine and Past President of the Royal Society of Medicine’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section. www.michael-dooley.co.uk.

Saturday 16:00 - Harmony in Prisons: Michael will discuss the benefits of an integrated care approach in prisons, focusing on how yoga can improve people's physical and mental wellbeing. It will cover its role in reducing stress, promoting rehabilitation to lower reoffending, while fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation and resilience for personal transformation and social change.

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Ashley from Dancing Tree - Ashley lives in rural West Wales, he has been inspired and uplifted by nature his whole life. Following in his father's footsteps he trained as a reflexologist himself back in 2009.  Ashley offers sound healing to relax, rebalance and restore mind, body and soul whilst laying in the powerful soundscapes of the gong.  https://dancingtree.co.uk 

Saturday 20:00  Gong bath (add an extra hour of deep relaxation to your weekend - bookable separately) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bwy-wales-yoga-festival-gong-bath-2025-registration-1245975288629?aff=oddtdtcreator - £12 for pre bookable tickets OR  £15 on the day.

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Audrey Blow - BWY Foundation and Diploma Course Tutor, teaching since 2004. She specialises in breath work, meditation, and Ayurveda (the science of life), and regularly studies at the Mandala Yoga Ashram with Swami Nishchalananda.

Sunday 8:30am - In this session, Audrey will explore the power of breath and movement to release tension, find tranquility and cultivate clarity. It is not about perfection; it's about connection, opening our hearts to the serenity that lies within. In this way we deepen our connection to the present moment and embrace the fullness of life, which extends beyond the yoga mat and enriches our everyday existence. 

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Lynne Jones - BWY Foundation and Diploma Course Tutor. Lynne discovered the power of meditation in 1994 while working as a software engineer in Silicon Valley. Her experience overcoming fear during swimming lessons led her to study meditation with renowned teachers and eventually train as a BWY yoga teacher. Lynne has taught yoga for 22 years in diverse settings, including special needs, mental health services and prisons. 

Sunday 10.05 - This session will begin with a philosophical theme followed by a meditation practice. Participants will then explore their heart's desire in small groups, focusing on creating community and living in harmony with the environment. Through deep sharing and listening, we will connect with the essence of true nature, allowing seeds of change to be planted.

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Anne Thomas - Artist, teacher and Ayurvedic consultant.  She creates mandala paintings and ceramic shrine sculptures inspired by the intrinsic geometry of nature, exploring the complex interconnection and beauty of life. www.shiningedge.co.uk or Instagram: @shiningedgearts 

Sunday 11.30 - Join Anne in co-creating a mandala, using seasonal forms from nature, to provide a collective visual focus for the weekend. Everyone is invited to prayerfully place a flower, pebble or shell into the design, which will evolve through the day.

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Daniel Simpson - yoga scholar and author of The Truth of Yoga, an accessible guide to yoga history and philosophy. His approach combines scholarly knowledge with humour and insight. He holds a master's degree in yoga studies (from SOAS, University of London) and teaches courses at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. He also offers online yoga teacher trainings via his website: https://truthofyoga.com  In-person participants will also have the chance to purchase a signed copy of Daniel’s book.

Sunday 13.30 - Traditional Yogic Wellbeing - Historical, political, and textual positions and how they relate to current yogic perspectives

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Jayne Etherington - Education consultant with over 30 years' experience, passionate about inspring a creative, nature-based approach to the curriculum. She has worked as a primary teacher, senior leader, and adviser. Currently, she collaborates with Richard Dunne from the Harmony Project to align their approach with the curriculum for Wales and leads a project in Pembrokeshire focused on restoring local waterways: The Cleddau Project - https://thecleddauproject.org.uk/ 

Sunday 15:15 - Jayne will explore how the Harmony Project is being adapted in Wales, focusing on 'cynefin' – a principle central to the Welsh Curriculum. 'Cynefin' goes beyond habitat to shape our sense of identity and wellbeing through a deeper connection with nature. Jayne will share how this approach empowers young people to understand and positively impact their local environment.

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Sian Wintle - Yoga teacher, somatic movement coach, conscious dance facilitator, massage therapist and community drummer. Sian loves helping people explore their own rhythms and connect with others in joyful, transformative ways.

Sunday 17:00 - Bring something to bang or shake—whether it’s a drum, rattle, or even a cooking pot! No experience necessary—just come and join in, and you’ll be surprised at what you can contribute. Rhythm is part of who we are, and reconnecting with it brings joy and a sense of connection that is truly nourishing.

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Important Event Information

VENUE LOCATION, PARKING, PUBLIC TRANSPORT : https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/lampeter/how-get-our-lampeter-campus 

PARKING:  costs are £1.50 for up to 4 hours, £2.50 for a day, £5 for 24 hours (no cost on Sun) - https://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/school/the-university-of-wales-lampeter-ceredigion/?arriving=202501121830&leaving=202501122030   

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email: parking@uwtsd.ac.uk 

ON ARRIVAL: Visitors should follow signs to Reception. The whole event is in the immediate area around this area.  There will be posters with directions for the rooms we are using: 

OVERNIGHT STAY - link for you to book B&B accommodation on Fri 27 June / Sat 28 June / Sun 29 June: https://forms.uwtsd.ac.uk/view.php?id=698574 

• Single room ensuite including breakfast: £64
• Twin room including breakfast: £80

There is no camping allowed on site but there are campsites nearby that are easy to Google, including within walking distance. E.g.: https://www.campsites.co.uk/search/campsites-in-wales/ceredigion/lampeter 

SUPPER / DINNER ARRANGEMENTS on Saturday evening will be up to individuals. Some suggestions of places to eat (please reserve a table beforehand):

• Falcondale Hotel Restaurant, Falcondale Dr, Lampeter SA48 7RX - T: 01570 422910 W: https://thefalcondale.co.uk/restaurant/
• Shapla Tandoori Restaurant , 8 College St, Lampeter SA48 7DY - T: 01570 422076 - W: https://shaplalampeter.co.uk/ 
• Ling di Long Chinese Restaurant, 13 Bridge St, Lampeter SA48 7HG - T: 01570 422009 W: https://www.facebook.com/bestchineselampeter/ 
• The Black Lion Royal Hotel Pub, High Street, Lampeter, United Kingdom - T: 01570 422172 W: blacklionlampeter@gmail.com & https://www.facebook.com/blacklionhotellampeter/?locale=en_GB
• The Stables @ The Royal Oak Hotel,  38 High St, Lampeter SA48 7BB - T: 01570 218615

ACCESSIBILITY: There are stairs to the Founders Library where the speakers event will be. It is possible to go to the Reception area without encountering steps (accessible toilets are there too).

BWY MEMBERSHIP: Did you know that annual membership is just £46, why not join us and take advantage of discounts on lots of fantastic events taking place across Wales and online. Check out our Members Benefits here: https://www.bwy.org.uk/about-bwy/benefits/ 

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY: The BWY Refund and Cancellation policy is listed on the BWY website: https://www.bwy.org.uk/about-bwy/key-policies/refund-and-cancellation-policy/  

What to Bring

Please bring with you your normal equipment to practise yoga - mat, blocks, belt, cushioning - anything you need to make your day more comfortable.  A notepad and pen may be useful.  Talks in the Founders Library will be seated and chairs will be provided.