A Tribute to Christine Royle, CYTA Chair.
Christine was a wonderful friend and a consummate professional, highly motivated and committed in all her work. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Christine and I met through the Cheshire Yoga Teachers Association of which she was Chair since 1992. Shortly after that time she became Treasurer for the British Wheel of Yoga North West regional office. These two posts were undertaken in her usual responsible and efficient way, alongside her work as a Yoga Teacher. Later support for BWY was her position as Chair of BWY North West Regional Committee, whilst I was Secretary. As Chair she represented our Region at the Council meetings in Sleaford. Then she & I moved positions, and she became Training officer of BWY North West, whilst I was Booking Officer. One of our most enjoyable duties was as part of the 4 woman team at BWY Congress, meeting and looking after the delegates.
Christine also had many classes in the local area and by 1995 she had 19 classes each week. She and I worked together for both associations over these years and she had her own School of Yoga in Sale at her large house on Northenden Road. She held her British Wheel of Yoga teaching Diploma as well as various other qualifications including those for Remedial massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology. Beside this she also taught all over the United Kingdom and abroad. She was a very popular teacher and had a loyal student following .
Christine was an excellent and experienced teacher. Her lessons were well prepared and sensitive to the needs of her students in that she was very able to change the format, pace and level of the lesson appropriately. She conducted her classes with a clear voice and clear instructions but with a smiling, encouraging attitude and sense of humour. This friendly approachable manner was suffused with a firm, positive, and professional method of working.
I always enjoyed working with Christine both as a teacher at events we attended and taught together, and as a student, as her lessons were varied, interesting , rewarding and informative.
The yoga community and BWY have lost a great advocate, and CYTA will miss her greatly. Her work as Chairman for CYTA was unstinting and greatly valued.
Personally, I will miss the friend I valued for her support, reliability and thoughtfulness but more than these, for the love that she showed to me over the many years we were friends.
Sue Hargreaves (CYTA Sec)