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Our story and impact
For over 45 years, Dru has shared practical tools for health, inner growth and positive change.
From peace walks and teacher training to the World Peace Flame, health education and community programmes, Dru’s story is rooted in a simple vision: people with greater wellbeing, awareness and purpose contributing to a more peaceful and compassionate world.
Our story at a glance
Peace and public benefit
From peace walks and the World Peace Flame to reconciliation and school peace education, Dru has long supported community connection and positive change
Health and wellbeing education
Dru has developed practical programmes in yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, breathwork and relaxation to support resilience, balance and everyday wellbeing
Training and community
Through teacher training, professional networks and online learning, Dru supports people to share these practices in homes, communities and workplaces
Community, peace and public benefit
1985—Peace walks begin
Following Gandhi's example, Dru teams organised walks and seminars for peace across the globe including Friendship without Frontiers' world tour where we taught Dru techniques in 31 countries
1986—Life Cancer Charity Centre established
Dru International's early work included support for people affected by cancer and a growing focus on health and wellbeing
1995 to 1999—Humanitarian aid and peace support
Dru teams supported people in war zones with aid shipments and peace vigils for the Balkans, Kosovo and Africa
1992 to 2000s—Peace and trauma-support programmes
Dru teams taught movement, breath, meditation and relaxation practices to support stressed and traumatised communities in conflict and post-conflict settings, including Bosnia, Northern Ireland, the North Caucasus, Kenya, South Sudan, Bangladesh, Uganda and Nepal
1999—World Peace Flame created
Seven flames from five continents were united into one World Peace Flame as a global symbol of peace.
1999: The Australian flame was lit by an Aboriginal elder (Pearl Wymarra) in the presence of an Olympic Committee member.
1999—Peace Poles Installed at Byron Bay & Canberra
A Peace Pole was erected in Byron Bay after a peace walk from the Byron lighthouse. In 2001, another Peace Pole was erected at Glebe Park in Canberra in a ceremony attended by Ngunnawal representatives, local parliamentarians, dignitaries, school children and more than 100 guests
2000—Corroboree 2000
The World Peace Flame was part of the opening ceremony at the Sydney Opera House and, alongside Aboriginal Elders, helped lead 250,000 people across Sydney Harbour Bridge in a walk for reconciliation
2001 & 2003—World Peace Flame at Peace conferences
The World Peace Flame was shared at a World Conference on Spirituality and Peace in The Hague, attended by 1,800 delegates. Two years later, it opened the Cinema for Peace gala in Berlin
2004—World Peace Flame installed at Byron Bay & Sydney
The World Peace Flame was installed in a traditional miner’s lamp at Nature Care College in Sydney in 2003. A second flame was later installed at Byron Bay Community Centre
2004—World Peace Flame pathway
Representatives connected with 197 countries helped create the World Peace Flame Pathway in The Hague and signed the Ambassador’s Declaration for Peace
2013 to now—Peace education for children
Peace Within Your Hands education kits were introduced into Australian and international schools to support inner peace, resilience and a peaceful school environment
2015—Ribbons of Peace
Students from Albury and Wodonga wrote messages of peace on ribbons, then carried them across the NSW–Victoria border as a symbol of unity
2014 to now—Health and education support
Through the World Peace Flame Foundation, more than 80 medical camps have been supported in under-resourced communities in India, alongside education funding for girls and practical support for children
2017—Peacekeepers memorial in Canberra
The World Peace Flame was present at a celebration marking 70 years of Australian peacekeeping at Anzac Parade in Canberra
From inner growth to community service, Dru’s work has always been about helping people live with greater awareness, compassion and purpose
Education, health and teacher development
1978—Birth of Dru
Dru Yoga classes begin, and a group of young university students commit to a life of health, wellbeing, peace and spirituality
1993—Global Dru Headquarters
Snowdonia Mountain Lodge is purchased and renovated, becoming an international centre for Dru retreats, training and community
1987—First Dru Yoga teacher training course
Dru begins training teachers in England to share yoga, health and community-building practices
1999—Dru Australia established
Dru Australia begins as a not-for-profit organisation, with the first Australian Dru office later established in Canberra in 2003
1999: Over time Dru centres are founded in The Midlands, Scotland, Ireland, London, Manchester and The Netherlands.
1999—Dru Yoga teacher training begins in Australia
Two residential courses start simultaneously north of Sydney, with Dru Yoga teacher training later expanding to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Albury Wodonga
2005 to 2009—Meditation Teacher Training is launched
The first Dru Meditation Teacher Training course launches in the UK in 2005. In 2008, the course begins in Australia and the Netherlands, later expanding to Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne
2008–2010—Online studio, Dru Dance and Ayurveda begin
Dru creates new streams to support home practice and holistic wellbeing
2010—Chifley centre in Canberra
Dru Australia purchases a house in Chifley and in 2010 the team renovate it and create a new office.
2010: Dru filming on the Australian north coast leads to 6 DVDs being created which are distributed worldwide.
2011 & 2014—Conferences begin in Australia
The first major Dru conference called Dru Discover Yourself launches in Australia in 2011.
2014: This is followed by another conference in 2014 called Ignite Your Dreams Supercharge Your Life which included a national tour of young global presenters
2011 to 2026—Dru research is published
Randomised controlled research into Dru Yoga is first published in 2011 showing the health benefits of Dru Yoga. Other trials take place in 2016 and 2026 showing Dru Yoga's effectiveness in the workplace
2014–Dru in New Zealand
Dru seminars commence in New Zealand in 2007 and seven years later Dru Yoga Teacher Training starts in the south island
2014–2016—Australia expands specialist courses
Dru Kids & Teens, Dru Yoga Therapy and other programmes develop in Australia
2017 to now —Ayurveda cleanses
Dru Australia starts bi-annual seasonal cleanses
2019—Deakin centre in Canberra, more new courses
We rent offices at Deakin where we set up a film studio and shop
2019: Dru Ayurveda certificate courses commence in Australia. A new prenatal course is launched in Australia
2020—Dru moves online during Covid
Dru consolidates its offices in Australia and rapidly creates online classes and teacher training to support people through lockdowns. Retreats and local workshops are later reintroduced as demand for face-to-face connection returns
2020—Spirituality of Yoga courses are launched online
These courses are followed by more online courses that focus on the deeper spiritual side of yoga
2021—Ayurveda Health CoachThe Dru Ayurveda Health Coach Diploma runs in Australia alongside the UK programme
2021 to now—New wellbeing and specialist pathways
Back care, Breath Coach, Yoga Nidra, Subtle Energetics of Dru Yoga expand Dru’s health and wellbeing work. Online spiritual masterclasses begin in Australia, including programmes on the Bhagavad Gita and Bhakti Yoga
