The Untold Story of Women in Yoga
When most people think about the history of yoga, they picture wise old men in robes, meditating in caves or teaching students in ashrams. But that image only tells part of the story. Women have always been active in the labor force participation, preserving, and shaping yoga for centuries, even when they weren’t always seen or acknowledged.
Long before yoga studios and social media, women were quietly contributing to yoga’s evolution. Some composed sacred texts. Others taught corners of society or used their healing and inner strength. Their influence is woven into yoga’s past, even if history hasn’t always given them credit.
Today, as millions of women around the world roll out their mats each day, it’s worth asking: how did we get here? And more importantly, how many stories of powerful, pioneering women have we missed along the way?
Early Presence: Women in Ancient Yoga Traditions
Yoga is a spiritual practice that originated from ancient India thousands of years ago. Contrary to the belief that ancient yoga was reserved for male sages, women were present in the earliest days.
Some of the oldest Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, include hymns attributed to female seers known as rishikas. These women weren’t just students; they were respected voices contributing to spiritual knowledge. Their presence shows that even in ancient times, the sacred was not limited by gender.
Although women often practised in private or within spiritual families, their involvement was meaningful. They were often the keepers of oral traditions, passing down sacred chants, rituals, and meditative practices across generations. Their work was quiet, often invisible, but foundational.
The Yoginis of Tantra: Power, Mystery, and the Divine Feminine
It’s even safe to conclude that the patriarchal system’s great impact once denied women access to certain circles and discussions. Most scriptures and historical texts excluded women’s contributions to yoga, as with other aspects of life. However, what wasn’t said in texts was carried on through oral traditions.
Furthermore, the rise of tantric traditions, a branch of spirituality honing masculine and feminine energy, also changed the game. Here, women weren’t just participants; they were central figures. The yogini emerged not only as a female practitioner of advanced spiritual practices but also as a symbol of divine feminine power.
Yoginis were known for their independence, wisdom, and ability to transcend society’s limitations. They practised meditation, mantra, breathwork, and rituals that explored the connection between body and spirit. Tantric temples were even built in their honour, many of which still stand today.
In these traditions, Shakti, the feminine principle, was considered essential for awakening consciousness. In many ways, this period celebrated the things modern yoga now rediscovers: balance, presence, and inner power, regardless of gender.
The Big Change: Women Pacesetters in Modern Yoga
Towards the 19th century, yoga had a big shift in perspective and practice. The shift was so great that Western women became interested in yoga and began to practice and teach it to people far beyond India, where it originated.
As such, it is safe to say that without the contribution of women, yoga would not have been a global practice as it is today. The table below reveals some notable women and their contributions to the spread of yoga:
Women in Yoga | Era | Contributions and Impacts |
Lelleshwari (Lalla) | 14th century | Wrote Kashmiri mythic verses which conveyed yogic wisdom |
Blanche Devries | 20th century | Opened the first female-owned Yoga studio in India |
Indra Devi (First Lady of Yoga) | 20th century | First Western woman to popularise yoga in the West, teaching it to Hollywood stars and international students |
Lilias Folan | 20th century | Made yoga televised and accessible to American households with her show ‘Lilias Yoga and You’ |
Geeta Iyenga | 20th century | Adapted yoga practices to explain the unique physiological needs of women, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause |
Helena Blavatsky | 20th century | Translated Hatha yoga so women can be included in the practice |
These women, among many others, helped shape the image of yoga. They took it from a male-dominated practice in India to a global practice that embraces wellness, balance, and inclusion.
What Can We Do to Honour the Legacy of Women in Yoga?
Today, women are not only the face of yoga. They are its heartbeat. They lead classes, write books, build communities, and create spaces for healing and empowerment. From trauma-informed yoga to body-positive practices, women are redefining what yoga means in real time.
More than ever, it is time to honour the legacy of women who have shaped yoga in both past and present times. Here are ways to go about this:
- Support Female-led Yoga Spaces and Teachers: Female-led yoga spaces often incorporate inclusive practices that reflect a deeper understanding of diverse needs. We can sustain women’s legacy in yoga by supporting female yoga instructors and investing in their training programs.
- Encourage Inclusivity and Gender Aware Yoga Education: Suppose you’ve ever attended a yoga seminar. You will notice that the teachings focus on men’s lineage and contribution. Only a few minutes are given to talk about women in yoga history. However, this could be an opportunity to start a movement that encourages and advocates for a curriculum that integrates the contributions of women so far in the space.
- Explore Wider Historical Perspective: Take time to discover literature, documentaries, and academic research that highlights the role women have played in yoga history. Exploring yoga history and making deep inquiries will help expose hidden stories and promote a more complete and truthful understanding of past yoga practices that excluded women.
- Share Stories of Forgotten Yoginis: One way to promote the legacy of women in yoga history is by sharing omitted or forgotten stories about them with people. By doing this, we are not just setting the record straight. We deepen our connection to yoga, seeing it not just as a path we follow but one we’re all helping to build.
Conclusion
Yoga has never belonged to one gender, region, or interpretation. It’s a living tradition influenced by every person who practices it with intention. Women have always been part of that lineage, though most of it has been omitted from past records. By bringing these stories to light, we move toward a more balanced understanding of yoga’s rich and diverse heritage.
Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.