This sort of propaganda was spread for a long time by opportunistic people. Today, in the West, misinterpretations persist. But if women s glandular make-up is different from males, there must be specialized yogic practices for the yogini. Especially in the West, where many yogic students are women, differences should be treated in a constructive, practical manner. Thus we see a dearth of role models for a specialized women s spiritual practice.
Yoga is an experiential science.
Knowledge of this system has been passed down from the ancient rishis who observed the effects of different foods, postures and meditation techniques on their own body and mind. It stands to reason that female practitioners should refer to the discoveries of highly evolved yoginis for insights into their practices, and for guidance. Here again, the secular status of women has profound effects on our spiritual lives. In many societies, women have not been free to wander the country, devoting themselves to higher pursuits, having been virtually sold off in marriage. Even for those few yoginis who escaped this bondage, or whose spouses supported their spiritual goal, word of their lives is not easily available, as are Yogananda s Autobiography of a Yogi , or Swami Rama s Living With the Himalayan Masters .