In the ancient picture, no type of yoga was named after a human being (no Tom yoga, no Mary yoga, no Lilias yoga). But these days you hear all kinds of names before the word “yoga.” The practice of yoga has been handed down and taught by such luminous yogis as Holy Master Swami Sivananda, B.K.S. Iyengar, and Mataji Indra Devi. I’m sure their enthusiastic and devoted students named particular yoga styles after their teachers—the teachers themselves didn’t do it. These giants in the world of yoga all taught the same Down Dog pose. Any differences came from how the knowledge was interpreted, enhanced, and delivered.

I first began to establish the distinctive “Lilias” style of yoga in a darkened TV studio, teaching to a red light. But I never felt alone in that studio—I could always sense my unseen class. I pictured each student getting off the couch and sitting with me on the floor. Because I could not see my students, their comfort and safety in poses was always a prime concern. Going slowly through the postures, pulling them apart, and being clear about details and alignment became a style of teaching. The cameras used the body as a blackboard so the audience could see the poses and breathing from all angles. It was very important for me to explain everything I could about each pose and make sure I gave all the information needed to practice effectively and without injury. This was the beginning of Lilias yoga.