News - Death of a master

by Life Positive

Yoga guru Pattabhi Jois, who taught celebrities such as Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sting, passed away on May 18, 2009 at the age of 93. Although ashtanga yoga has been in India since thousands of years, Jois popularised it in the West. This method of yoga involves synchronising the breath with a progressive series of postures – a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.

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The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.Jois learnt ashtanga yoga at the age of 12 from his guru T. Krishnamacharya, in his village in Karnataka. He then went to Mysore to study Sanskrit where he was reunited with his guru and continued to learn yoga from him. The Maharaja of Mysore became a great patron of yoga, and started the Yoga Department of the Sanskrit College in Mysore where Jois taught.

His first western student was a Belgian, followed closely by Europeans and Americans. In 1975, Jois went to America to teach ashtanga yoga. Over the next 25 years, the practice spread through the United States, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Israel, Chile, England, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries.

Ashtanga means ‘eight limbs’ in Sanskrit, which refers to the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The primary series, called ‘Yoga Chikitsa,’ is described in Yoga Mala. Yoga Chikitsa, which means yoga therapy, realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility, and stamina. The second series is called ‘Nadi Shodana’, meaning nervous system purification. It cleanses and strengthens the nervous system and the subtle energy channels throughout the body. Ashtanga yoga has a vigorous, athletic style of practice.

www.kpjayi.org