The world is mourning the loss of a beloved longtime PBS host, Lilias Folan, who passed away on March 9. Many will remember her weekly series, “Lilias, Yoga and You,” which she hosted for 30 years, earning her the title of “The First Lady of Yoga.” Now, fans are paying tribute to her legacy.
According to Deadline, Folan’s family confirmed the sad news, stating that she passed away while at an assisted living facility near Cincinnati. They said in a statement, “Known to many as a trailblazer who brought yoga into American homes through her groundbreaking public television series Lilias, Yoga and You.
Lilias dedicated her life to helping others find strength, balance, and inner peace. Her warmth, wisdom, and gentle spirit made yoga accessible to millions and inspired generations of students and teachers.
Fans Are Paying Tribute To Lilias Folan’s Legacy
Folan, like many beloved PBS hosts over the last few decades, helped shape the lives of viewers all over the world. Because of this, many of her viewers are taking to social media to pay tribute to her legacy.
One person said on Facebook, “My first yoga teacher. Saved me as a teenager! Kept practicing through university studies and raising four kids. Eventually certified Iyengar teacher, still teaching in my late sixties. Thanks to Lilias and PBS!”
Someone else wrote, “She was my first teacher in the 70’s as well. I’m so grateful that she was on PBS, and my 16-year-old self found her. She was the inspiration behind my choice to teach yoga many years later.”
A different Facebook user stated, “My favorite! Influenced me since I was 5 years old, my mom wouldn’t let us kids watch TV unless it was PBS, so I learned from the greats, including my all-time life faves, Lilias and Julia Childs….I am a chef and a yogi! Both my passions, from these 2 deeply passionate women! I am so grateful and a true believer in the influence of what young children are exposed to.”
Someone else said, “I grew up watching my mum practice yoga with PBS, and now I run a yoga nonprofit!”
Lastly, another fan wrote, “My first yoga teacher on PBS in the 70’s. I was blessed to take a teacher’s workshop at Yogaville with her about 20 years ago. It felt like coming full circle. So grateful for the many, many lessons and gifts she provided.”
Her Legacy Lives On
Per Deadline, Folan began her instructional yoga series in 1970 on WCET, a PBS station in Cincinnati. Soon after, the show became so popular that the network began distributing it nationwide. From there, “Lilias, Yoga and You” aired until 1999.
Folan was also an author; some of her books include 1972’s “Lilias, Yoga and You,” 1981’s “Lilias, Yoga and Your Life,” and “Lilias! Yoga Gets Better With Age” from 2005. Her final book, “Lilias! Yoga: Your Guide to Enhancing Body, Mind, and Spirit in Midlife and Beyond,” arrived in 2011.
She is survived by sons Mathew and Michael, seven grandchildren, and two siblings, a brother and a half-sister.
Watching some of the other yoga instructors on PBS I often wondered whatever happened to her. Enjoyed watching her learned a lot of yoga from her, Namaste.💙💙🙏🙏