Yoga Lineage Tree

Yoga Tree.jpg
 

Ever curious about how the different styles of yoga might be related? Who learned from whom? Was there one yoga master at the top that everyone spawned from? Unlikely, but in western yoga, the majority of teachers are from a couple lineages. Many of the lineages have pasts that are cringeworthy in their practices that include abuse of power (physically/sexually/emotionally), but as with all generational trends, there is the potential of keeping the good, processing the bad, and cultivating a better system. Yoga’s history is messy and has been revealed through the last few years as laden with issues. But, there is good in yoga. There are good teachers in yoga who seek how to make the practice compassionate, safe and accessible. Can we challenge our lineage to serve the community with the beauty in the practice, live through right action and the ethical practices etched in the first two limbs, and empower students and teachers to challenge dogma.

 
Kate Bailey