Stories of the Hindu deities, who often have both male and female counterparts, often found their way into my yoga classes and personal practice. Hindu goddesses, many of whom are still revered today, are regarded as the representation of shakti, also referred to as “the great divine mother” or “the universal mother,” the feminine source of power in the universe.
From Lakshmi representing abundance to Durga, a symbol for the destruction of evil, these goddesses display different characteristics which can also offer metaphors and inspiration off the mat.
My curiosity in female voices in yoga was also fuelled by the absence of women in the male-centric ancient texts. Meanwhile, modern yoga has become a predominantly women-led practice, especially in the West. With the gender debate getting more complex, and more women taking leadership roles in yoga, can the ancient practice play a role in a more gender-inclusive society and a wider definition of beauty?
The early women yoga pioneers
In an academic study entitled “Yoga and Women: A Possible History,” Agnes Wittich finds evidence of women practitioners in yoga from the earliest material evidence of the practice, dating back to 2500 BC, “though it is uncertain to assume that it was the same 'yoga practice' that is known to us from later times.”
Janice Gates, author of Yogini: The Power of Women in Yoga, traces a similar spiritual role
