Find Out A Little About Yoga Teacher Training


by Adriana Noton


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.

What many people don't realize is that the philosophies of yoginis have been around for hundreds and thousands of years. Many of the practices were passed down through generations. Entire societies and religions have been based around some of them. Thus, it was probably inexorable that these philosophies and practices would eventually spread.

Although they began in India, the practices and traditions of yogic practitioners are to be found in many places around the globe. Wherever people migrate, their ideals migrate with them and pass through yoga teacher training. Several of those ideals will inevitably be based in the spiritual belief systems of the travelers' culture. Ideals concerning beauty, health, and physicality are also based in cultural norms and/or belief systems.

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.

A man by the name of Richard Hittleman, is thought by many to be a primary reason yogic practices are so popular outside of India to this day. Upon his return from India in 1956 to New York, he decided to shift the teachings from their emphasis on the spiritual, to the physical. This resulted in making the mainstream populace automatically more inclined to be receptive to learning and studying yogic practices.

By changing the focus away from the spiritual, he instantly gained much more interest from the mainstream. It was his hope that eventually, those drawn deeper into their practice would begin to explore the spiritual side as well. In large part due to this approach, the practice was to become wildly popular from the 60's on, particularly in America.

Now there are hundreds of yoga schools and philosophies to choose from. If you are serious about mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, it could be for you. Some people are so moved by what they experience, they feel the desire to share it. If you are one of these people, yoga teacher training may be something you might want to consider.




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