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7 Inspirational Women of Yoga

By Aimee Hughes
Published: March 8, 2019
Key Takeaways

In honour of Women’s History Month, here are seven inspiring yoginis that can teach you a lot about what it means to be a yogi in this day and age.

I love being inspired by courageous yoga women! Sometimes, all we need is a good teacher that completely shifts our perspective or inspires great transformation to get us where we need to go.

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I’ve studied online with various teachers over the years. Whether it’s an Ashtanga class with Kino MacGregor, a mind-body psychological workshop with Ashley Turner, or Sally Kempton’s many guided meditations on Glo, my sadhana has no doubt been enriched and enhanced by these great, inspirational women of yoga.

In honour of International Women's Day, let's take a look at seven inspirational women of yoga. We’ll see what they do and where to glean insight from them. Who knows? You may just find your next teacher on the spiritual path amongst them!

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Kathryn Budig

Kathryn is almost a household name in the yoga world. Originally from the Midwest, Kathryn studied yoga in Los Angeles when her career as a model/actress lost its meaning. She quickly rose to yoga stardom, having appeared in Yoga Journal as a model for years.

Kathryn Budig quote

Her classes are fun and lighthearted. Her sense of humor and down-to-earth charm characterize her vinyasa flow classes. She’s a no-nonsense gal with a big heart, co-founder of Poses for Paws, and founder of Aim True Yoga.

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Ashley Turner

Ashley isn’t your average yoga teacher. She’s also a licensed marriage and family therapist. What’s more, Ashley is an ordained priestess and dedicated mindfulness meditation practitioner. Her classes and workshops cover everything from relationship issues to chakra healing to meditation techniques that brighten your mind and spirit.

Ashley Turner Yoga Quote

She’s a professional mind-body psychotherapist as well, and a divinely feminine leader in her own right. Ashley leads trainings for yoga teachers and therapists, and is the creator of 10 yoga DVD’s and co-author of an aromatherapy/yoga book titled Aroma Yoga.

Tara Judelle

I found Tara on Glo.com, and continued to follow her in her adventures and travels. She currently leads Embodied Flow yoga teacher trainings across the globe and spends much of her time teaching on the mystical island of Bali.

Tara Judelle yoga quote

Tara is both inspirational and influential in the way she teaches yoga. She truly embodies what she teaches, and her knowledge of the way we move on this Earth is profound, her teachings truly unique to her. If you’re looking for a Hatha yoga teacher with a true awareness of the somatic body, Tara’s your gal.

Elena Brower

New York City yogini Elena Brower found fame on Glo.com. She’s since gone on to produce On Meditation, a film-series about the practice of meditation itself. She’s also co-author of a yoga journaling book titled The Art of Attention, and the author of a journaling yoga book called Practice You: A Journal, as well as a guidebook through separation and divorce titled Better Apart.

Elena Brower yoga quote

As you can probably tell, this yogini is into self-reflection and self-study via the art of journaling, as well as the art of conscious relationships and conscious uncoupling. She’s also a lover and advocate for healing via aromatherapy.

Kino MacGregor

Kino is probably the most famous woman of yoga in the Ashtanga lineage. She’s also founder of the world’s first yoga network, OmStars. The Miami beach-body babe was one of the youngest students ever to be certified by K. Patthabi Jois.

Kino MacGregor yoga quote

She teaches ashtanga classes at the Miami Life Center with her husband, and travels extensively for workshops. She’s also a writer and author of 4 books with the 5th on its way. You can find her classes on Omstars.com, and her teaching schedule on her website.

Sally Kempton

Sally Kempton is one of yoga’s foremost meditation teachers. She’s written a few breathtaking books, including Awakening Shakti, Meditation for the Love of It, and Doorways to the Infinite. Her classes are highly imaginative and profound.

Sally Kempton Quote meditation

She takes her students on deep inner journeys of the heart, and invokes deep wisdom within her students, wisdom that comes primarily from the Kashmir Shaivism tradition in Northern India. When it comes to North American yogic meditation teachers, Sally’s the real deal. She even studied for eight years with Swami Muktananda, her guru, and an enlightened Siddhi master. (Learn more in
10 Enlightening Quotes from Top Meditation Guide Sally Kempton.)

Kia Miller

Kia Miller is one of the most inspiring yoga women of kundalini yoga. She teaches the style with grace, and a real sense of clarity. For some, kundalini can be downright bizarre and esoteric. But, Kia brings it down to a real-world level. Her classes are uplifting, to put it mildly.

Founder of Radiant Body Yoga, Kia teaches in Los Angeles and world-wide. If you’re looking for an exceptional kundalini yoga teacher, look no further than Kia Miller. And don't miss Episode 8 of The Yogapedia Podcast, which features Kia!

Kia Miller quote yoga

These seven inspirational women can teach you quite a lot about what it means to be a yogini in this day and age. Check them out and see who resonates with you. Then take some of their classes online, read some of their articles and/or books, and prepare to be transformed!


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Written by Aimee Hughes

Aimee Hughes

Aimee is a yogi and writer who's been practicing yoga daily for more than 21 years. Since a journey to India when she was 20, the practice has been her constant companion. She loves exploring the vast and seemingly endless worlds of yoga. Aimee has also written a book titled, "The Sexy Vegan Kitchen: Culinary Adventures in Love & Sex." You can find her at her new site: https://natura.yoga

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