Who Will Step Into the Seat of the Master Teacher?

With the passing of BKS Iyengar in the wee hours of the morning August 20, 2014, I wonder what is to become of this beloved practice.  Of course, it will continue to evolve and grow and change, and yes, I know "it's ALL yoga", but I can't help but wonder (with more than a little trepidation) about who will step into the shoes of the Masters that have been passing since I began teaching.  Here's an article I wrote in January 2013 after the death of Georg Feuerstein...

There have been few words for the disillusionment I've felt lately with the trivializing of yoga (as a practice and the training of a lineage of teachers), the introduction of the "yogalebrity", and the general lack of foundation in yoga philosophy. From where will the next generation of "Master" teachers emerge?
 
There's a fantastic article on the female pioneers in yoga- you can read it HERE. There's a generation of Master Yogis, aged from around mid-50s and into the 90s, taught by their teachers, that have continued and contributed to a beautiful tradition for us, and they won't be around forever- I just wonder, "Is this the legacy they intended to leave, and what is our responsibility in it? My hope is that we respect the lineage, the tradition and the practice enough to keep ourselves steeped in it- the whole of it, and keep it going.
 
The recently deceased Georg Feuerstein, a prolific author, dedicated yogi and master teacher, said:
 
"The (yoga) scriptures furnish the context for the actual practice of yoga. Many yoga practitioners perform postures, breathing exercises and other techniques without having a clear idea of their purpose within the larger path of yoga."

As teachers and students of the practice, I believe it's our moral imperative, out of respect for those who taught us, our teachers and our teachers' teachers, to maintain a connection with the tradition. Without the greater context of yoga, it's just exercise and breathing.
 
Whatever that means for you, I encourage all of us to take those moments to show our gratitude and respect for those who came before us. The most meaningful way to honor the practice is to be a sincere student of the practice. And it's this sincerity and dedication that bears the fruit of the practice- making our lives, and the world, a better place through better human beings.
 
See you soon and keep practicing!
Liz
//LizDoyleYoga.com