In the words of Sri Aurobindo, Yoga is a ‘dynamic effort’ to access deeper layers of our organic, energetic and spiritual reality, to free ourselves from the servitude of physical, vital and emotional habits, compulsions and unconscious mental patterns.

In the light of this definition how can we accept as Yoga Teacher Trainers regulation and assessment by any organisation that regards Yoga as mere physical exercise. Reducing the experience of Yoga to its physical aspect only, is denying students and aspirants a vital route to personal development and inner progress. This reductive and limited understanding of Yoga which is so keenly sold by corporate powers and their valets needs now to be questioned and counteracted by those who are effectively providing a thorough, integrated and often inspired education for teachers-to-be.

It has become increasingly unpleasant to see Yoga listed along with spinning, fit ball, aerobics, re-bounding and bums-and-tums (quote from Wellness, health and fitness magazine). The trivialisation of such an extremely refined and rich practice is detrimental to all those who strive to maintain its integrity.

It is crucial that we remain awake to the manipulations presently taking place where Yoga Teacher Training programs are assessed, regulated and judged by people who have no idea of the practice and no understanding of the natural diversity and richness of the training programs provided in the UK.

Equally we need to stay aware of the hegemony that certain well-established schools exercise over the teaching world. Yoga Teacher Training programs are evolving and some of the most creative expressions are wonderfully integrative and holistic, offering intelligent and accessible programs relevant to contemporary needs.

To respond to the current situation a network of Yoga Teacher Training providers was set up last October and is now counting 14 members, all committed to work together in redefining the status of Yoga Teacher Training in this country. Yoga regulated by yogis in touch with the needs of keen practitioners who aspire to teach. The IYN (Independent Yoga Network) is presently working on common standards and other projects concerning training programs. If you run an independent school or program please get in touch with us.

Furthermore, what Yoga stands for is universal and beyond belief systems, and because of this unique nature might well provide us all with the practical means to successfully transform our basic nature and have a significant impact on the world around us. That is why we need to keep our independence.

I personally feel that Yoga in its true nature is a major contribution to contemporary life and might well become the source of inspiration for a future human organisation in terms of its socio-political, as well as cultural and artistic expressions.

The above contribution represents the personal views/researches of the author - a founder member of: www.independentyoganetwork.org. Sama Fabian may be contacted directly at: info@aurolabyoga.net or www.aurolabyoga.net

You may also wish to discuss/debate the issues raised in this article in our IYN Forum by clicking on the link below:
(IYN-115) Call of the Soul. We value your feedback, information and personal experiences and would be pleased to hear from you.