TORONTO: I was first introduced to yoga about 30 years ago. I was an overworked public relations consultant in need of a way to relax and calm my mind. At that time, well before the Lululemon craze, yoga was not popular in Canada.
Since then, yoga has boomed in popularity across the country, attracting people from all walks of life. Yoga studios have popped up everywhere and I often see people walking around Toronto with a yoga mat slung over their shoulders. Today, yoga is cool. While I am no yogi, I continue to learn about this ancient Indian tradition, from the classic poses to its philosophy and wisdom.
Yoga, which originated thousands of years ago in India, may be India’s greatest export to the west. India’s Prime Minister Modi is a powerful yoga advocate who, in 2014, created International Yoga Day under the auspices of the United Nations, which is now celebrated all over the world. In fact, in 2018, I had the honour of attending a special VIP International Yoga Day event in Delhi and, subsequently, toured yoga institutions in the state of Maharashtra to learn about yoga.
Though Modi may be India’s biggest yoga advocate, he is not the only world leader to embrace yoga. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has put his yoga prowess on public display (his former wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau is a yoga teacher) and his father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, was a well-known yoga enthusiast. Not to mention many global business leaders and celebrities have also embraced yoga, helping it spread worldwide.
The benefits of yoga are well-known, including increased flexibility, muscle strength, improved energy and vitality, weight management, cardio health and reduced stress. A recent study shows that meditation and yoga practice are linked to reduced volume in the brain region that is tied to negative emotions. Plus, it can help us love ourselves more.
And so, if you want to start or deepen your practice, one of the best ways is to immerse yourself in learning or attend a wellness retreat.
The ideal place to learn is where it all began: India. There are many yoga academies and ashrams across India, though a number of them rank higher than others. Some offer retreats and others are geared to teacher training (note: in Sanskrit, ashram means “a place where everything happens effortlessly”).
Following are some of the most popular yoga institutions in India:
1. B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Institute, Pune
Created by B.K.S. Iyengar, considered to be the founder of modern yoga, this renowned institute attracts yoga students from around the world who are interest in training.
2. Nisargaopchar Ashram, Pune
Founded in 1946 by the legendary Mahatma Gandhi, this ashram is a unique example of the field of naturopathy, which brings people from across India and internationally for its holistic approach to healing, which includes daily yoga.
3. Kaivalyadhama Ashram, Lonavala
A research institution and yoga college that teaches the Ashtanga yoga of Patanjali, the pioneer who laid down the foundation for traditional yoga.
4. The Vedanta Academy, Lonavala
Founded by legendary Swami Parthasarathy. Located 8 km from Lonavala and nestled in the hills of Malavli, the academy is set on a secluded, modern campus, providing an ideal atmosphere for peace, contemplation and reflection; and has a number of amenities. (note: I have a photo of Swami speaking in Toronto at the National Club).
5. The Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore
One of India’s most popular ashrams, it was founded by renowned spiritual leader, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It is a volunteer-based organization that also undertakes various initiatives geared to uplifting and enhancing quality of life internationally.
6. Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore
Founded by Sadhguru, it was designed to create an inclusive culture for global harmony and progress, as well as a centre working on literacy and conservation. Its “inner transformation” programs for physical, mental and spiritual wellness have been recognized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESC).
7. Bihar School of Yoga, Munger
Located in a 14th-century fort, the center integrates several approaches to personal development based on yogic teachings. Founded by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati, the yoga ashram (Ganga Darshan Yogashram) follows modern-day “gurukul lifestyle,” and the school offers yogic teachings. The center also guides yoga projects and medical research in association with corporations and government.
8. Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Mysore
Set in Mysore, the city of palaces and fountains, this institute was founded by Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois and offers yoga courses ranging from one month to six months, and intensive Ashtanga yoga classes year-round. Classes are also offered in Sanskrit.
9. The Yoga Institute, Goa
The Yoga Institute in Goa is located on Chorâo Island, the largest of the 17 islands of Goa, along the Mandovi river. This paradise for bird-watchers and nature lovers is less than a 30 minute drive from the state capital city of Panjim and a 15 minute ferry ride through scenic surroundings.
(Shannon Skinner is an award-winning inspirational creator/host of ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com, author, radio host, international speaker and writer covering travel, wellness and wine. More information at ShannonSkinner.com)
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