Honoring the Memory of Sharath Jois:

Sharath_Jois_memory_ashtanga_institute_mysore.jpg

A Tribute to a Visionary Yoga Instructor The yoga community is mourning the sudden loss of Rangaswami Sharath Jois, a beacon of wisdom and skill in Ashtanga yoga. At just 53, his unexpected departure in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains has left a void that words cannot fill. Sharath was one of the most skilled yogis … Read more

Krishna Pattabhi Jois

k pattabhi jois

Krishna Pattabhi Jois is the founder of the Ashtanga style of yoga and one of the most influential yoga teachers to have brought yoga to the west through the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. I studied there in January 2015. Jois was born on a full moon in 1915 in Kowshika in southern … Read more

Practicing Ashtanga with Saraswathi Jois

Saraswathi_Jois_Shala

Last day of practice with Saraswathi was a sweet one. Can’t believe I’ve been in India over 2 month, holy shit! So grateful for an amazing experience! #guruselfie #ashtanga #yoga #india #saraswathi A photo posted by Elliot (@pada_yogi) on Mar 31, 2015 at 5:35am PDT Tuesday marked the final day of my practice at the … Read more

Day 48 of Ashtanga Practice (Last Day)

Mysore_electricity

My last day of practicing yoga with Saraswathi Jois was on Tuesday, but I am very happy to continue moving. I am very happy with how the trip and Saraswathi have added to my practice, though it definitely evolved much differently than I expected. Ashtanga can be grueling at time. I think this is one … Read more

Ashtanga Yoga and Yoga’s Modern Lineage

ashtanga yoga creator Krishnamacharya

What is Ashtanga Yoga? Ashtanga yoga sequences are a tradition expounded by Pattabhi Jois and is currently taught by teachers in different forms across the world. It is most likely that these sequences were originally created by Krishnamacharya for Pattabhi Jois, using knowledge he obtained from his guru, Brahmachari for short, who lived in a … Read more

Day 18 of Practice

temple in Gokulam

Today’s practice was very rewarding. Not for any particular reason, the Maricyasana postures, mostly C and D were as challenging as ever to get the bind, and supta kurmasana is always a lot like being put underwater, then resurfacing in a different world. A powerful pose, one of my new favorites. I also am enjoying … Read more

The Responsibility of Ashtanga

Ganesha Temple, Gokulam

I love being able to learn yoga from multiple sources, multiple teachers with subjective and unique viewpoints. I think this is one of the biggest reasons I have been able to progress through various yoga traditions without injury. Lots of the yogis here are injured, in one form or fashion. I’ve seen taped toes, adjustments, … Read more

Places of Interest in Gokulam

Jois Yoga Shala

A few of my upcoming blogs are going to be simply photo blogs. Pictures speak a thousand words

Gokulam City Center
Gokulam City Center, you can see the rickshaw stand on the right, and the street leading to the Jois Shala in the center
Gokulam Coconut Stand
Gokulam Coconut Stand, somewhat the center of the town
cell_tower_Gokulam
Gokulam Cell Tower, on top of the hill in Gokulam
Saraswathi's_Shala
Saraswathi’s Shala, this is where I practice. In the morning, there is no one outside and it is dark
Sri Chakra House
Sri Chakra House, quiet and highly recommended. Great food, great company, drinkable water, Wifi. This is a great place to rest, relax and refuel.
Osho Meditation Center
Osho Meditation Center and Mystic school, called by many the “second best” yoga Shala in Mysore. I hope to study there in March
Gokulam Children's Center
Gokulam Children’s Center, really beautifully decorated, but I never see any children there
Ashtanga Institute, Mysore
Jois Shala of the Ashtanga Institute, Gokulam, Mysore

 

 

Day 3 of Practicing Ashtanga in India

I woke up late this morning, but got to the shala at about 5:15. Saraswathi asked me to be there at 4:30, but she doesn’t care as long as I can find a space to practice. I always start in child’s pose. Today I made a dedication, something I don’t normally do in my own … Read more