Barefoot to The Yoga Show

Navigation: Home | Text updates (complete list) | Latest Pics | Press cuttings

Please note: You may need to manually Refresh / Reload / Clear your Browser cache to make sure you get the latest updates. You can do this from the Tools Menu.

Mat Witts, from the European Yoga Network¹ walked for over 100 miles, barefoot to coincide with The Yoga Show at The National Hall, Olympia, London.

Mat completed the challenge to raise awareness of environmental and other issues such as climate change and consumerism.

The walk attracted lots of media attention and public support, including features in local newspapers, specialist internet magazines, BBC local radio and BBC TV News - as well a regular morning interview on one commercial local radio station.

Starting out from the Hill and Moor landfill site in Worcestershire, near to where Mat lives, his walk emphasised the importance of “living lightly” on the planet, through reducing our consumption, recycling and reusing our resources.

Mat, who made a commitment to adopt a Buddhist way of life in 1990 said:-

“I delivered some important suggestions on how, with just a few added measures, the more commercially oriented events can significantly reduce the negative impact on the environment, whilst also being more socially accountable.”

Many more people are being affected by extreme weather patterns such as flooding and climate change is now amongst one of top political issues. I am sure that most people would love events organisers to be more environmentally responsible, or (even better) - have an ethical policy - formally encompassing fair trade and organic products - avoiding products that may rely on the use of harmful substances or production practices.

At this time of environmental catastrophe, increased carbon emissions, widespread de-forestation, misuse of hazardous chemicals and sweat shop labour, I think more people than ever are looking at the alternatives – and everyone responsible for promoting practices like Yoga² must lead the way.”

“I'm particularly concerned about the promotion of goods at events that may have been manufactured by children who either may have had to work themselves - or have to stay whilst their parents work in poorly regulated mills, handicrafts workshops and petrochemical factories. Some garment workers have to endure overly hazardous, unfair or oppressive working conditions.

The promotion of products derived from animals (like silk and leather), or those threatening natural habitats (eg. rare insects, water life and birds (and people!) dead or dying from misuse of pesticides in the production of so called, Natural cotton) could also be discouraged at events, especially those promoting Yoga.” as a way of life.

The walk started a day late, due to extreme weather conditions on Sunday, 18th November 2007and he arrived on the last day of the Yoga Show, Sunday 25th November, just in time to deliver his suggestions to the event organisers:-

• Give initiatives to neutralise the carbon emissions generated by events a go, (or even better...)
• Give administration systems and web sites a clean supply of solar power, or other sources of 100% renewable energy
• Give the environment more of a chance by printing promotional materials, tickets etc. on recycled paper
• Give concessions to exhibitors that have charitable status, or a particular non-profit, environmental, ethical or educational stance
• Give a proportion of profits to worthwhile Yoga, environmental or similar charitable causes
• Give enough information to encourage visitors to use public transport to events - to save on road fuel

Press notes

¹The European Yoga Network is the worlds first, and only 100% solar powered Yoga Network - run by the worlds first, and only Yoga Community Interest Company
² Yoga is an ancient discipline, generally regarded as originating in Northern India about c. 3300–1700 BC. It emphasises, personal, spiritual development – but in recent years, has been promoted widely as primarily a health and fitness regime - with an A-list celebrity following, most famously perhaps pop singers Madonna and Sting.

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. The text of this article, including most images, (except the route map - which is the property of The Automobile Association / Crown Copyright are provided for free onward distribution / use. You are free to substantially modify the content provided you reference the original article to the source, (www.1yoga.eu)

™ European Yoga Network is a trademark and business Identifier of YOGA NETWORK C.I.C. A Community Interest Company limited by shares. Registered in England and Wales No. 4859621. 20-22 Bedford Row, London, England WC1R 4JS. VAT registration no. (GB) 903 8357 23