Our Journey
The Dru Story
Here is how five young friends started a dream 45 years ago and what’s happened since then.
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First randomised controlled trial into Dru Yoga
Discover the inspiring journey of Dru, which began in 1978 with five friends at Bangor University, North Wales. Influenced by Gandhian philosophy and ancient yogic wisdom, Dru integrated subtle energy practices with Western health models, growing into a global movement promoting peace, health, and community.
Overcoming challenges like establishing peace walks during the Cold War and pioneering de-traumatisation programs amidst 1990s turmoil in Europe and Africa, Dru created the World Peace Flame—a symbol of unity from flames united across continents. With over 3,500 teachers trained globally, Dru Yoga has proven effective in reducing stress, fostering serene relationships, and promoting compassion. As the second largest yoga and meditation training school in the UK, Dru continues to empower individuals, heal emotional scars, and nurture profound global connectedness.
"The only way to truly change the world is by achieving a ‘tipping point’ where enough people (roughly about 1% of the world’s population, which is 76 million) raise their consciousness to help to make the world safer, healthier and happier for every living being.
The first 45 years of the Dru story has been about making a difference to individuals, enabling them to improve their own quality of life and teaching others.
For the next 45 years we’ll be getting really serious about reaching that tipping point. To enable as many people as possible to be healthy: physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and socially.
It’s a huge vision: empowered people creating global unity.
Will we reach it within our own lifetime?
An old African proverb says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’
Working together is a corner-stone of Dru. We invite you to help us change the world by becoming a change-maker yourself. Start by improving your own health and then teach others - because when you find something that works, it’s only natural to want to share it.”
Chris Barrington
Co-founder
1980
Pioneering Dru Yoga Study
Chris Barrington, Annie Jones and Mansukh Patel behind the scenes of the famous Dru Yoga photoshoot
1978
It Takes You Deeper
Discover the subtle energetics of yoga through the koshas. You can even delve into the science of yogic spirituality to find greater purpose and meaning in life through your yoga practice.
It Takes You Deeper
1978
It Takes You Deeper
Discover the subtle energetics of yoga through the koshas. You can even delve into the science of yogic spirituality to find greater purpose and meaning in life through your yoga practice.
1978
It Takes You Deeper
Discover the subtle energetics of yoga through the koshas. You can even delve into the science of yogic spirituality to find greater purpose and meaning in life through your yoga practice.
the science behind
Pioneering Dru Yoga Study
Chris Barrington, Annie Jones and Mansukh Patel behind the scenes of the famous Dru Yoga photoshoot
1978
It Takes You Deeper
Discover the subtle energetics of yoga through the koshas. You can even delve into the science of yogic spirituality to find greater purpose and meaning in life through your yoga practice.
Тhe Dru Research
Dru Yoga participants recorded substantial increases in eight key areas of well-being. Here are the results from a 2008 randomised control study into the effects of Dru Yoga
More composed -
less anxious
More clear minded -
less confused
More elated -
less depressed
More energised -
less tired
More agreeable -
less hostile
More confident -
less unsure
Life purpose and
satisfaction
Self confidence
during stress
We asked 440 Dru practitioners
We asked people across the world what their experience was, and this is what they said
Dru Yoga is highly effective for helping reduce stress and tension
89% Stress Reduction
Say they are better able to handle stress.
84% Less Body Tension
Regularly experience less body tension.
91% Mental Well-being
Say that Dru transforms negative thinking.
69% Better Sleep
Report more positive sleep patterns.
Dru Yoga significantly eases back problems
72% Back Pain Relief
Experience a positive change in back pain.
93% Better Flexibility
Experienced more flexibility in spine & joints.
84% Body Tension
Experience an improvement in overall body tension.
In a survey of 450 Dru Yoga students, 72% found Dru Yoga reduced their back pain. Dru is designed to be very safe, balancing your back muscles to bring ease and avoid injury.
Dru Yoga is particularly effective in transforming painful emotions into positive and solving conflicts
83% Emotional Handling
Notice a greater ability to handle emotions.
84% Mood Improvement
Experience a positive shift in mood.
72% Conflict Resolution
Have a better ability to deal with conflict.
Dru Yoga & Meditation boosts wellbeing in your body, mind and emotions. It gives you control over your health and transforms your mind and emotions to benefit everyone around you.
Dru Yoga helps people have more harmonious relationships and find greater peace within
79% Serenity
Experience higher levels of serenity.
82% Strength & Stamina
Say strength and stamina improved.
79% Patience & Openness
Report being more patient and open with others.
82% More Tolerance
Feel more tolerant towards others.
76% Compassion
Feel greater compassion for others.
74 % Communication
Report improved communication skills.
74% Better Relationships
Report improvement in relationships.
85% Physical Energy
Experience a boost in energy levels.
the research
Dru Yoga helps Liverpool soccer players reduce injuries
Dru Yoga is supported by scientific research demonstrating its amazing benefits.
In an article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Dru Yoga is quoted as being part of a successful 7 point plan, used by physiotherapists on Liverpool Football (soccer) Club’s players to reduce hamstring injuries.
Recurrent hamstring injuries are a major problem in sports such as soccer. The research followed a professional soccer player who had sustained five hamstring injuries. Liverpool’s doctors and physiotherapists successfully used a seven point programme which included Dru Yoga. The player started regular sessions of yoga-based stretching and relaxation with a qualified Dru yoga instructor. These consisted of Dru fascial warm-up techniques; intense hamstring and low back stretches; guided Dru relaxations and Dru breath training (techniques to improve lung capacity, stamina and to activate the relaxation response through the body). Sessions were undertaken for 60 min twice per week. The player soon reported subjective improvement in his hamstring freedom.
dru at work
Benefits of Dru Yoga in the workplace
A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment and Health showed that Dru Yoga significantly improved wellbeing and resilience to stress in the workplace, compared to a control group. More research is being done on the benefits of Dru Yoga for back pain and other health challenges.
In the world's first randomised controlled trials into the benefits of yoga in the workplace, Dru Yoga has been shown to significantly decrease back pain, increase performance under stress, boost confidence and emotional wellbeing.
UK research, published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine, shows that Dru Yoga can reduce perceived stress and back pain at work.
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Reduce stress in the workplace
Wellbeing programmes that include yoga have a significant impact on absence through stress.
Stress and back pain are two key factors leading to sickness absence at work, costing the British economy an estimated £17 billion per year. This study by researchers at Bangor University suggests to employers that wellbeing programs that include yoga can have a significant impact not only in reducing stress, but also in preventing back pain.
More than 80 participants in the study were recruited from Conwy County Council and randomised into a yoga group who received one 50 minute Dru Yoga session each week for 8 weeks along with a 20 min DVD for home practice, and a control group who received no intervention.
Dru Yoga is one of the UK’s largest schools of yoga, and includes therapeutic stretches and postures to ease back pain, flowing movements designed to relieve stress, and breathing exercises which calm the mind.
When compared with the control group, the yoga group scores were significantly lower for perceived stress, back pain, sadness and hostility, and much higher for feeling self-assured, attentive and serene.
reduce back pain and improve wellbeing
Community Engagement Officer for Conwy County Council who participated in the yoga group, said: “I found that the Dru Yoga programme had a positive influence on my level of confidence. I felt more in control, ready, aware, dynamic, even recognizing my own power. I was happier, and it was so much easier to manage my circumstances.” The study authors concluded: "The results indicate that a workplace yoga intervention can reduce perceived stress and back pain and improve psychological wellbeing. "Larger randomised controlled trials are needed to determine the broader efficacy of yoga for improving workplace productivity and reducing sickness absence."
Testimonials
What They Say About Dru Meditation
More then 3000 people have been helped by Dru Yoga and Meditation.
Try Dru Meditation
Online Classes
At home or on the go your practice is your time - your moment - to breathe, slow down and connect. Discover the magic of Dru Yoga here at the Studio.
Master Classes
From back health to discovering your true purpose, don't miss our themed evening masterclasses. Taught by top Dru Yoga tutors with 30+ years of experience.
Teacher Training
Whether you plan to teach yoga, want to practise effectively by yourself at home, or would like to enhance your career as a therapist, the Dru Yoga course is for you.
