03/08/2026
Today, on International Women’s Day, we pause to honor the women who have shaped the history, evolution, and living practice of yoga.
While yoga’s ancient roots reach back thousands of years, the modern practice we know today has been profoundly influenced by courageous, visionary women who stepped forward to teach, study, question, and share.
Women like Indra Devi, often called the first lady of yoga, helped bring yoga to the West when it was largely practiced only by men. Geeta Iyengar carried forward the depth of her father’s teachings while advocating for women’s health in yoga. Teachers like Shiva Rea, Judith Hanson Lasater, Angela Farmer, Sharon Gannon, and Seane Corn have helped shape modern yoga through scholarship, activism, creativity, and heart-centered leadership. Lilias Folan brought yoga right into our living rooms through her show on PBS.
Their voices helped expand yoga beyond its foundations, into philosophy, healing, inclusivity, and community that spoke more to some who were becoming aware of the practice.
At Hippie Soul, we also celebrate the living lineage of teachers who have influenced our own community. Many of our Restorative Yoga teachers were influenced by the depth of teachings of Julia Clarke. We are deeply grateful for Gina Caputo, whose wisdom and mentorship have shaped Tracey and Danielle and continues to ripple through our studio through the teachers she has influenced. Her teaching lineage lives on in many of our teachers including Tina, Lisa, Abby H., Wesley, Heather S., Katie, Abby W., Brandy, and Lynne, and in the countless students they serve.
Yoga has always been a practice of awakening. We become more aware of truth, compassion, and to the understanding that we belong to one another. Women have been essential voices in carrying that awakening forward.
Today we celebrate the teachers, the students, the seekers, the leaders, the brave questioners, and the space-holders. The women who came before us, those practicing beside us, and those who will shape the future of yoga.
Thank you for the wisdom, the courage, and the heart you bring to this practice. 💛