Lineage

“Just as I don’t need someone to tell me where I’ve been, I sure don’t need someone to tell me where to go.” -Tim Cretella, Barren Rambles, Doppio Music

For some reason, that song comes to mind when I reflect on my yoga lineage. It’s so great. Check it out. Anyway, in yoga, it is important to understand our lineage as it’s the path that our ancestors have walked and it’s the path that we strive to walk in our own practice. It reminds us of where we come from. It reminds us to honor the yogis that came before us and passed down their wealth of knowledge to us. We are forever indebted to them for this gift that they have passed down.

So you may be interested to learn the lineage that I have studied under, especially if you are a student of mine and it is now your lineage. I study yoga at the Lincoln Yoga Center under Sheila Palmquist. Sheila studied at Yoga Now under Susi Amendola. Susi studied at the Himalayan Institute. The Himalayan Institute was founded by Swami Rama. Swami Rama was trained by the Himalayan sage, Bengali Baba. This lineage of teachers is over 5,000 years old. I’m particularly fond of it because it is so open to all faiths and traditions. It is a lifestyle and a tool for reducing suffering. This lineage guides us on a path to self realization, service, and humanitarianism.

I think another reason I’m drawn to this lineage is that it is humble and service oriented. It reminds me a lot of Saint Francis, who some argue was the most Christ-like of all the saints. Service is an important part of yoga. Yoga should also be accessible to everyone. I think these are all things we can aspire to in this lineage. Perhaps today you will take time out of your day to practice service toward others. Give without any expectations.