To get in shape is a common goal for many people in various walks of life. Worldwide, increasing numbers of people are employing varied methods to obtain fitness. Some individuals go for weight training. Others tend to take martial arts classes or aerobics courses. Getting yoga teacher training could prove to be a way to integrate several aspects of those methods at once.
Unknown to some, the spiritual, physical, and mental philosophies of yoginis are thousands of years old. The practices have been handed down for generations. In many cases, particular teachings spawned entire cultures. It was only a matter of time before some form of these practices migrated to the rest of the world.
Though originating in India, some form of yogic practices can now be found in many places outside of that country and passed through yoga teacher training. As long as people travel, ideas will travel with them. Some of these ideas will invariably be rooted in the spiritual beliefs of the culture the traveler is coming from. Ideas about physicality, beauty, and health are other notions and beliefs that are rooted in individual societies.
When it comes to yogic practices, the migration to the world outside of India was consciously orchestrated. It is believed that several practitioners were sent to ’spread the message’ to new peoples. A man called Swami Vivekananda gave a speech in Chicago. It was during the World Parliament of Religions in 1893. His speech was so powerful, and so eloquent, that it is still referenced today.
Some look upon Swami Vivekananda as one of the original yogic pioneers. But, many times, those most responsible for the proliferation of the practices outside of India were foreigners. Theos Bernard was one such person who traveled to India from America and became a student. He returned years later with the knowledge of his studies and published at least one book which became widely circulated.
Richard Hittleman is considered by quite a few people, a prime factor in the further proliferation of yogic practices outside of India. He came back to New York in 1956 and made a crucial decision. He decided to shift the primary emphasis in the teachings from spiritual to physical. This choice was to radically alter the way the populace reacted to yogic practice.
By promoting the physical benefits, he immediately acquired a much larger following than he would have otherwise. He hoped that as students got deeper into their practice, they’d be moved to delve into the spiritual aspects too. He utilized this method to propagate his practices through the 1950’s, and aided immensely in paving the way for others.
Today there are literally a plethora of schools and styles available to pick from. If you find getting in better health mentally, physically, and spiritually appealing, you might want to check some of them out. If you are already involved, you may be at a point where you wish to begin sharing your experience. If so, yoga teacher training could be an interesting means of becoming certified to do just that.
British Colombia’s best yoga teacher training Victoria BC and pilates classes are geared towards those looking to expand their horizons through yoga Victoria. Call us and begin learning how to instruct.






