Sri K. Pattabhi Jois: Ashtanga Yoga guru passes away at age 93

Yoga practitioners around the world mourn the passing of K. Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga Yoga, who passed from this world on May 18. He had recently fallen ill, and died in his family home in Mysore, India.

‘Guruji’, as his devoted students affectionately called him, began his yoga journey in 1927 under the tutelage of T. Krishnamacharya, who himself, is known as ‘The Grandfather of Modern Yoga.’ Over a period of nearly 30 years Pattabhi Jois learned asana, pranayama and yogic philosophy under Krishnamacharya and stated that the basis behind Ashtanga Yoga was essentially exactly as Krishnamacharya had taught him. However, over time and through experience, he began to fine-tuned some of the postural sequences in order to allow for a more complete absorption of the physical and philosophical benefits of the practice.

The Ashtanga style is unquestionably physically challenging, but Pattabhi Jois always claimed that the goal, if you will, was not to be attained on the physical level, but on the spiritual level. He believed that everyone could follow these sequences at their own level, and over time, increased strength and flexibility would follow the spiritual.

Those fortunate enough to have studied under Pattabhi Jois’ direct guidance follow his methodology by teaching each new student the Surya Namaskara (sun salutation) as the foundation of his or her asana practice. Once these practices are firmly grasped and mastered, then other poses and pranayama practices are learned, illustrating the importance of his famous quote, ‘Ashtanga yoga is 1% theory and 99% practice’, illustrates his point greatly.

It can safely be said that all of the vigorous, flowing styles of yoga practiced in the West today, like Power and Vinyasa, are offshoots of the very powerful and popular Ashtanga series. This is a wonderful illustration of the ever evolving ‘yoga tree of life’.

In honor of K. Pattabhi Jois, ‘Guruji, let’s not forget that we must continue to ‘Practice, practice, practice!”

Om Shanthi