Authentic transmission of classical yoga from India through traditional guru-shishya parampara
Our Yoga Lineage & Tradition
What is Yoga Lineage?
In the traditional yoga world, lineage matters. It's not about pedigree or elitism - it's about the authentic transmission of knowledge from teacher to student over generations.
Lineage means:
- Knowledge passed directly from teacher to student (guru-shishya parampara)
- Not learned from books or weekend courses, but through years of immersion
- Living the practice, not just teaching it
- Connection to a tradition that spans thousands of years
- Preservation of authentic methods amidst modern adaptations
Our center carries forward the classical Indian yoga tradition - taught to our instructors by their teachers, who learned from theirs, in an unbroken chain back to the ancient sources.
Our Lineage Connection
From the Himalayas to Pokhara
Our yoga tradition flows through several streams:
Classical Hatha Yoga Tradition
Originating in medieval India with texts like Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- Emphasis on asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha
- Preparation of body and breath for meditation
- Purification and balancing of energy systems
Ashtanga Yoga Tradition
Based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (circa 400 CE)
- Eight-limbed path: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi
- Comprehensive system beyond physical postures
- Philosophical and ethical foundation
Himalayan Yogic Tradition
Mountain sages and meditation caves
- Emphasis on direct experience over theory
- Integration of yoga with Himalayan Buddhism
- Inner stillness and meditation focus
Krishna Pattabhi Jois Influence
Through senior teachers who studied in Mysore
- Dynamic, breath-synchronized vinyasa
- Structured progression through sequences
- Discipline and consistency in practice
Our instructors have studied extensively with teachers carrying these traditions, then integrated them into a coherent approach appropriate for international students while honoring classical methods.
Meet our instructors and their trainingGuru-Shishya Parampara (Teacher-Student Tradition)
For thousands of years, yoga was taught not in classrooms or studios, but through direct teacher-student relationship.
How traditional transmission works:
1. Close Relationship
- Student lives with or near teacher for extended period
- Daily interaction beyond just "class time"
- Teacher observes student's practice and life
- Student serves teacher (seva) as part of learning
2. Oral Transmission
- Knowledge spoken directly from teacher to student
- Not primarily book learning
- Stories, examples, illustrations personalized to student
- Living presence of teacher as example
3. Extended Immersion
- Not 200-hour certificates, but years of study
- Gradual unfolding of deeper teachings
- Student proves readiness through practice and discipline
- Trust developed over time
4. Living Example
- Teacher embodies the teachings
- Student learns by being around teacher, not just from instruction
- Transmission happens through presence, not just words
- Yoga is caught as much as taught
Our adaptation for modern students:
We maintain traditional teaching methods while adapting to modern constraints. Our instructors teach with the depth of years of immersive training, even if students can only stay for weeks or months.
What Makes Our Teaching Traditional
Many modern yoga classes focus primarily on asana (physical postures) as fitness. This is not traditional.
Traditional yoga includes:
Asana (Postures)
But not as end in itself
- Preparation for meditation
- Strengthening and purifying body
- Building discipline and focus
- One limb of eight, not the whole practice
Pranayama (Breathwork)
Essential, not optional
- Energy regulation and balancing
- Preparation of nervous system
- Bridge between body and mind
- Often more important than asana
Meditation (Dhyana)
The actual goal
- Inner stillness and awareness
- Beyond physical movement
- Direct experience of self
- The heart of yoga practice
Philosophy (Jnana)
Understanding context
- Why we practice, not just how
- Ethical foundations (yama, niyama)
- Eight limbs explained and integrated
- Living yoga, not just doing yoga
Our Teaching Philosophy
Classical Principles in Modern Context
Yoga is for everyone, but not every yoga is for everyone.
- Classical methods are accessible with proper modification
- Challenge students while honoring limitations
- Progress is individual, not competitive
Tradition doesn't mean rigid.
- Ancient principles can be applied to modern bodies
- Adaptation is not compromise - it's wisdom
- Teacher must understand both tradition and student
Lineage is living, not fossilized.
- Our tradition continues to evolve
- We learn from practice and from students
- Respect for past doesn't mean rejecting present
Depth over breadth.
- Better to know few practices deeply than many superficially
- Quality of attention matters more than quantity of poses
- Simple practices done sincerely are more powerful than complex ones done mechanically
Experience over theory.
- Direct personal experience is primary
- Texts and philosophy guide practice, not replace it
- Your own experience is ultimate authority
Texts & Teachings We Honor
Our teaching draws from these foundational texts:
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
circa 400 CE
- Eight limbs of yoga (Ashtanga)
- Obstacles to practice and their remedies
- Stages of meditation development
- Nature of mind and liberation
Bhagavad Gita
circa 300 BCE
- Karma yoga (selfless action)
- Bhakti yoga (devotion)
- Jnana yoga (knowledge/wisdom)
- Dhyana yoga (meditation)
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
15th century
- Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha
- Purification practices (shatkarma)
- Energy system understanding
- Preparation for higher practices
Upanishads
ancient Vedic texts
- Nature of self (Atman)
- Connection to universal (Brahman)
- Meditative insights
- Philosophical foundations
We don't teach these as academic subjects, but as living guides to practice - explaining how ancient wisdom applies to your practice on the mat and cushion.
Himalayan Yogic Tradition
Mountain Yoga Heritage
Historical Context
- Himalayas have been home to yogis and sages for millennia
- Meditation caves in surrounding mountains still used by practitioners
- Sacred mountains mentioned in ancient texts
- Pilgrimage routes passing through Pokhara region
Himalayan Yoga Characteristics
- Emphasis on meditation and inner practice
- Simplicity of lifestyle supporting practice
- Connection between mountains and spiritual practice
- Integration with Buddhist meditation traditions
- Respect for nature and sacred geography
Why Himalayas for Yoga?
- Thin air said to thin veil between material and spiritual
- Mountain stillness supports inner stillness
- Natural beauty draws awareness inward
- Remoteness from worldly distractions
- Spiritual energy of sacred peaks
Our center continues this Himalayan tradition - serious practice in a setting that supports it.
Modern Yoga vs. Traditional Lineage
Understanding the Difference
Modern fitness yoga:
- Primarily physical exercise
- Instagram-worthy poses emphasized
- Quick choreographed sequences
- Music and entertainment
- Focus on appearance and performance
- Weekend teacher certifications
- Separated from philosophical context
Traditional lineage yoga (our approach):
- Physical practice as foundation for inner work
- Poses as tools, not goals
- Careful progression respecting traditional cautions
- Quiet, focused environment
- Emphasis on internal experience, not external appearance
- Years of immersive training
- Philosophy and meditation integrated
Neither is “wrong” - they're different approaches serving different needs. We offer traditional lineage yoga for those seeking depth, authenticity, and the complete yogic path.
Why Lineage Matters for Students
What You Gain From Lineage-Based Teaching
Safety
- Traditional methods tested over generations
- Understanding of contraindications
- Proper preparation before advanced practices
- Not pushing beyond what's safe
Authenticity
- Real yoga, not made-up variations
- Methods that actually work as intended
- Connection to something larger than latest trends
- Knowledge that won't change with fashions
Depth
- Access to deeper dimensions of practice
- Not just physical workout but spiritual practice
- Meditation and philosophy included
- Tools for life transformation, not just body conditioning
Community
- Connection to global community of traditional practitioners
- Shared understanding and language
- Support from others on same path
- Belonging to tradition spanning generations
Frequently Asked Questions
Experience Authentic Traditional Yoga
If you're seeking yoga beyond physical exercise, if you want practices tested over generations - our lineage-based teaching may be what you're looking for.