Here's what the American senior teacher Richard Freeman says about teacher lineage:
"An integral part of all classical schools of yoga is their lineage, or a tracing of their roots from teacher to teacher to teacher. The importance of a lineage to any tradition is that due to the interplay of different perspectives brought together by generations of teachers, the teachings automatically encompass subtle breadth and depth - a merging of awakening minds. The presence of lineage guarantees a transmission of the most essential and subtle experience of yoga which otherwise can be missed in the shadow of the ego."
Teacher lineage plays a very important role - it is a way of good, wholesome self-regulation. We believe that anyone wanting to take to the path of teaching yoga, must seek the guidance, support and approval of her/his teacher. This ensures that we do not take on classes irresponsibly, perhaps too early in our career, before acquiring the necessary skills, knowledge, attitude and experience.
In terms of practice style and technique, yoga styles taught by us belongs to the family of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. The senior teacher Ervin Menyhart has visited Mysore and practiced under the guidance of the late K. Pattabhi Jois. Pattabhi Jois's teacher and guru was Sri T. Krishnamacarya, who developed and established the Ashtanga Vinyasa style.
Ervin also studied / practiced with many highly regarded Ashtanga Vinyasa teachers such as Richard Freeman, David Swenson, John Scott. Ervin's teacher, James Critchlow learned the style in the US from Maty Ezraty and Chuck Miller - again, teachers who studied extensively with Pattabhi Jois.
Ervin still regularly practices under James's guidance and all trainee teachers studying with Ervin are required to practice with James and other reputable teachers in the Ashtanga Vinyasa family.
While our styles are rooted in the Ashtanga Vinyasa style, we are also distinctly different in some ways - please see the Practice Streams page for details for our practical approach to learning yoga. A new page on philosophy is also being created and will be published soon.