Friends in Yoga
Teacher Training Course


A Brief History of Friends in Yoga:

In August 1991, Cherry Ray (a yoga teacher trained through the International Yoga Teachers' Association), held a yoga day in South Perth.  At that gathering she invited any interested people to join with her in forming a loose-knit group, whose aim was to promote yoga and would be open to anyone with an interest in yoga.  The name chosen for the group reflected the character of the organisation ~ Working Together to Spread the Word ~ and from small beginnings the group rapidly grew.  Friends in Yoga (FinY) was officially launched at the beginning of 1992 and had 25 paid up members.


Towards the end of 1992, at the instigation of Isobel Kerley (also IYTA trained), it was decided to start a Teacher Training Course under the auspices of FinY.  At that time there were no Perth based teaching courses, and prospective teachers either travelled to Sydney or completed their studies by correspondence with IYTA.  The course initially ran for 12 months, but was expanded to 18 months in 2007.  Trainees were supported by a group of yoga teachers (many of whom had also trained with FinY) and through a combination of theory and practical work, given the tools they needed to feel confident to commence their own journey as yoga teachers.

FinY also offered members a bi-monthly newsletter, and hosted a variety of yoga days and retreats in Perth and regional Western Australia.


In February 1995 Friends in Yoga became an incorporated non-profit organisation, and membership grew to more than 200 members.  The Teacher Training Course continued to produce yoga teachers of a high calibre and FinY trained teachers have gone on to teach all over Australia and overseas.  The course was expanded to include a correspondence course to allow those in regional areas of WA and interstate the opportunity to train as yoga teachers.

At the FinY AGM in March 2009, after several years of struggling to maintain a working committee, it was decided to disband the organisation.  Whilst FinY as an incorporated organisation has now wound up its activities, the network of yoga students and teachers has continued to blossom.  An email list provides information on upcoming yoga activities, and also promotes teaching opportunities that arise (relief work and also requests for teachers to conduct new classes).  FinY has also become part of the Facebook social network, and has large group of members who maintain the connection first developed by the FinY organisation.

The Teacher Training Course is also continuing to operate under the guidance of Cherry Ray, who is now operating the Friends in Yoga TTC as her own business, with the assistance of guest teacher presenters.  The format of the Course remains unchanged and trainees can be assured they will continue to receive a well rounded introduction to yoga teaching.

For more information on the Teacher Training Course prospective students can contact Cherry on 
9362 1674

Friends in Yoga on Facebook