Balance Between Tradition and Evolution in Yoga

In every Mysore room, behind every counted vinyasa, and underneath every cue to “fold forward,” there’s an unspoken question humming through the breath and bodies:

How do we honor the roots of yoga while making it relevant and accessible in today’s world?

This isn’t just a philosophical musing for teachers and practitioners alike — it’s a daily decision. Every adjustment, every modification (or refusal to give one), every moment of silence or explanation is a subtle vote: for the past, the present, and the future of yoga.

We live in a time where preserving sacred tradition and dismantling oppressive systems are happening simultaneously — sometimes uncomfortably so. That tension is real, and if you’re feeling it, you’re not alone.

The Value of Tradition

Let’s start with reverence.

There’s a reason so many of us fell in love with Ashtanga in the first place. The method is brilliant in its structure — a moving meditation designed to bring steadiness, heat, and ultimately, insight.

“The systematic approach of Ashtanga yoga provides a valuable framework for growth and insight rather than a restrictive cage.”

Done with sensitivity and awareness, this system offers profound therapeutic benefits. The sequences weren’t just randomly strung together — they were designed to stabilize the nervous system, enhance vitality, and build resilience through repetition and discipline.

“There’s deep wisdom in the original method – it was designed as a therapeutic practice with specific benefits for the nervous system and overall health.”

For many teachers (myself included), tradition offered something sacred — a container for spiritual and physical growth. But like all containers, it has its limitations.

Where Tradition Fails Us

While the Ashtanga system has offered healing for many, it’s also been a source of harm — sometimes unintentionally, sometimes not.

“I’ve seen gatekeeping and groupthink within the Ashtanga tradition that creates power dynamics harming students.”

We’ve seen teachers abuse their authority. We’ve seen rigidity become dogma. We’ve seen one-size-fits-all adjustments create injury rather than insight. And we’ve seen students with different bodies, abilities, and life experiences be told — implicitly or explicitly — that they don’t belong.

“The traditional Ashtanga approach can be ableist and harmful when applied rigidly without consideration for individual needs.”

Many of the traditions we inherited were shaped in a very different cultural context — often patriarchal, often exclusive, and almost always assuming a particular kind of body and mind. What was once therapeutic can become traumatic if applied uncritically.

Why Yoga Must Evolve

Times change. And so must our practices.

“There are times when societies maintain a consistent approach for a long time, but eventually, significant shifts occur because societal needs change. This happens in yoga as well.”

Modern yoga students live in bodies shaped by chairs, screens, stress, trauma, capitalism, and a fragmented attention span. Our communities are more diverse — in race, gender, ability, age, experience, and worldview — than the contexts in which most traditional yoga was codified.

“We need to be focused on open-source teaching as a method for systematic change and removing patriarchal influences in our teaching methods.”

This isn’t about throwing out tradition. It’s about evolving it to serve more people — more fully and more ethically.

Bridging the Gap: Teachers Leading the Way

Thankfully, we’re not starting from scratch. Many teachers today are actively redefining what it means to honor lineage while adapting to modern realities.

“Kino MacGregor’s work in making Ashtanga more accessible and Sharat’s development of the ‘active series’ represent innovative approaches to adapt the practice.”

My own journey as a teacher has followed a similar arc. I started with the “no props, no chit-chat” approach. I believed in the purity of the sequence and the authority of the teacher. But experience — and student feedback — softened my stance.

“I started with a minimal explanation, no props approach, but I’ve evolved to methods that better serve diverse learners.”

Now, I teach a style I call “Accessible Ashtanga.” It’s not watered down. It’s tuned in — to the needs of real humans in real time.

“If our yoga is to be a lifelong practice, it must evolve to meet practitioners where they are.”

Practical Shifts Toward Inclusivity

So how does this evolution actually show up in a class? It’s not just about language or modifications — though those matter.

“Everything is optional” in my classes, which directly contrasts with more rigid, potentially exclusionary traditional styles.”

It’s about creating a culture of consent and autonomy. It’s about giving props without shame, encouraging rest without guilt, and reminding students that adapting the practice isn’t a sign of failure — it’s a sign of listening.

“Tradition isn’t lost when we adapt; it’s upheld.”

And it’s about shifting the source of authority from hierarchy to relationship.

“True authority comes from earned trust, not hierarchy.”

A Future Built on Collective Wisdom

If we want yoga to continue to thrive, we have to think collectively.

“I want a supportive global and local community in yoga practices.”

That means sharing insights, mistakes, adaptations — without shame or secrecy. It means mentorship, peer support, and open dialogue.

“A lack of self-reflection among teachers prevents the sharing of mistakes and limits improvement within the yoga community.”

The Mysore room of the future isn’t closed off. It’s open, porous, and responsive.

“The Mysore room welcomes all, and structural shifts strengthen the practice.”

Conclusion: The Art of Iteration

Yoga doesn’t need to be rebranded or reinvented. But it does need to be reexamined — over and over again — with courage and care.

The heart of yoga has always been about awareness — seeing clearly, responding wisely, and being present to what is. That includes being present to the flaws in our own systems and traditions.

“The practice of iteration – revisiting and refining with fresh eyes and maturity – allows us to honor tradition while continuing to grow and evolve.”

So let’s keep practicing. Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep making space for yoga to do what it’s always done — help us wake up, show up, and transform.