The idea of becoming physically fit has rooted itself in the cultures of a great many people. Depending on the location or region of the world, different methods are more popular than others. Weight training is often a default method for getting in shape. Some people choose to take martial arts classes or get gym memberships. Yoga teacher training may provide a means of combining becoming physically fit with spiritual well-being and a profitable living besides.

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.

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.

But, when one is considering the yogic traditions, the spread of these ideas beyond India was purposefully executed. It is said that many practitioners and students were mandated with ’spreading the messages’ to different peoples. One such messenger was Swami Vivekananda, who gave a marvelously moving speech in Chicago. In 1893, he was a guest speaker at the World Parliament of Religions. The impact and power of that speech has been referenced in some circles ever since.

Because of this, many look upon Swami Vivekananda as a pivotal pioneer. However, often times, those considered among the most influential in spreading the practices were foreigners. One such foreigner was a student named Theos Bernard. He traveled to India, and upon returning years later he wrote a book about his experiences which was widely circulated.

According to some, a man named Richard Hittleman was a huge contributing factor to the popularization of yogic practices outside India. In 1956, he came back to New York from studying in India, and he decided to change the way the practices were taught. In order to make them more accepted by the mainstream, he shifted the focus from spiritual to physical betterment. The result of this choice was cataclysmic.

By focusing on the physical benefits of the practices, he was able to garner much more attention and interest. He intended that through the physical practices, more people would be drawn to find out more about the spiritual aspects. He used this approach throughout the 1950’s and helped pave the way for yogic practitioners to flourish throughout the 1960’s and beyond.

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.