Yoga guru Sharath Jois has died in the USA

R. Sharath Jois | Photo credit: Special agreement

R. Sharath Jois, 53, who taught Ashtanga yoga to students in Mysuru and other parts of the world, died on Monday around 3pm local time in Virginia, USA.

He was the grandson of K. Pattabhi Jois – a direct disciple of T. Krishnamacharya, considered one of the most influential and important yoga gurus of modern times.

While Pattabhi Jois is credited with popularizing Ashtanga Yoga, Sharath Jois inherited this tradition from his grandfather to carry the mantle for posterity.

The cause of death is unconfirmed, but sources say Sharath Jois experienced shortness of breath during a hike shortly after completing class and collapsed.

From 19 years old

Sharath Jois was born on September 29, 1971 in Mysuru and earned a diploma in electronics before embarking on the path of yoga. He learned yoga from his grandfather and practiced with him from the age of 19. As Pattabhi Jois grew older, Sharath began supporting him, and this routine helped him instill the discipline and dedication needed to later teach yoga to his students.

After his grandfather’s death in 2009, Sharath Jois continued teaching yoga to students and founded the Sharath Yoga Center in Hebbal on the outskirts of Mysuru.

US tour

Sharath Jois had left Mysuru last month and was traveling across the US to teach yoga to his students. He was expected to return to the city sometime in December to begin classes for the new group, according to sources at the Sharath Yoga Center in the city who confirmed the developments. Sharath Jois is survived by his wife, two children and numerous relatives, including his mother Saraswathi Jois.

Honors are pouring in

Tributes are pouring in from the yoga fraternity for the sudden death of Sharath Jois.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, a member of the former royal family who played a role in popularizing and promoting yoga, has expressed shock and grief over the death of Sharath Jois.

Mr. Yaduveer posted on his social media account that Sharath Jois was a respected figure in the world of yoga and had followed in the footsteps of his famous grandfather Pattabhi Jois by teaching and spreading the practice of Ashtanga Yoga across the world .

Dr. BP Murthy, yoga teacher and founder of Chaitanya Yoga Kendra, said there was a sense of personal loss among the yoga teachers and students.

“Sharath Jois had made an immense contribution to perpetuating the tradition of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, popularized by his grandfather Pattabhi Jois, who counted celebrities such as pop singer Madonna among his students,” said Dr. Murthy.

Another yoga representative, Ganesh Kumar, said he continued to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga to his students across the world after the death of Pattabhi Jois and ensured that Mysuru remained on the world map for learning yoga.