Our Roots & Acknowledgements
Honoring the lands we practice on, the traditions that shaped yoga, and the communities that continue to carry its wisdom forward.
Land Acknowledgement
We at YOCO Yoga Collective acknowledge that our studio occupies the ancestral, traditional, and unceded homelands of the Haudenosaunee, Lenni-Lenape, Shawandasee Tula and Osage peoples, as well as the Monongahela culture. We recognize that these lands were cared for by Indigenous stewards for generations before they were forcibly displaced through colonization and broken treaties.
We honor the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous peoples and these lands, and we commit to listening to, learning from, and supporting Native voices today.
The Roots of Our Practice
The styles of yoga practiced at YOCO are most influenced by hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, and power yoga. While these styles may look different from one another, they share roots in a tradition that originated in India thousands of years ago and continues to evolve today.
Ancient India
Yoga emerged in India thousands of years ago as a spiritual, philosophical, and embodied practice.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Swami Swatmarama formalized many teachings of Hatha Yoga through the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Yoga Meets the U.S.
Teachers such as Swami Vivekananda and Swami Sivananda introduced yogic philosophy and practices to U.S. audiences.
Breath Meets Movement
T. Krishnamacharya helped popularize linking breath with movement, laying the foundation for modern vinyasa-based practices.
Ashtanga Yoga
Pattabhi Jois systematized Ashtanga Yoga, a lineage that heavily influenced many modern styles of yoga.
Power Yoga Emerges
Power Yoga emerged as a less rigid, more accessible adaptation that maintained the connection between breath and movement while allowing greater creativity and variety.
Honoring Language and Tradition
At YOCO Yoga Collective, we acknowledge and honor the roots of the yoga traditions that inform our teaching.
We understand that Sanskrit—the sacred language historically associated with many yogic texts and teachings—has a complex history. While Sanskrit carries deep cultural and spiritual significance within yoga, it has also been used throughout history within systems that excluded certain communities in South Asia.
You may hear Sanskrit terms used in our studio, though we do not teach exclusively in the language. We recognize that experiences and perspectives around Sanskrit vary, including among South Asian communities themselves.
Our intention is not to erase the history of yoga, nor to create barriers to participation. Instead, we strive to teach with awareness, context, and respect while making the practice accessible to all who enter our space.
How We Practice This Commitment
Our goal is not perfection. It is practice.
We are committed to continuing to learn, listen, and grow as a community. We believe honoring yoga means recognizing where it comes from, respecting the cultures that shaped it, and creating spaces where people from all backgrounds feel welcome.
At YOCO, we strive to cultivate a space where tradition and accessibility can coexist—where community is built through curiosity, respect, and connection.
As we move forward together, we remain guided by our five pillars:
Community
We show up for one another, building connection and belonging through shared practice.
Inclusivity
Every body, every background, every level is welcome in our space without reservation.
Integrity
We teach honestly, acknowledge our limitations, and hold ourselves accountable to our values.
Growth
We embrace curiosity, welcome challenge, and commit to evolving as students and teachers.
Wellness
We nurture the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—through thoughtful, caring practice.
A Living Practice
Yoga is not static. It is a living tradition that continues to evolve through the people who practice it, teach it, question it, and care for it.
We are grateful to be part of that ongoing story and to share this practice with our community.
