R. Sharath Jois (September 29, 1971 – November 12, 2024)

R. Sharath Jois, born on September 29, 1971, in Mysuru, India, was a towering figure in the world of Ashtanga yoga. From a young age, Sharath was steeped in the rich traditions of yoga, learning from his grandfather, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who was a direct disciple of the legendary Sri T. Krishnamacharya, widely accepted as “the father of modern yoga”. This early immersion in the practice laid the foundation for his lifetime dedication to yoga.

As a master teacher and the director of the Sharath Yoga Centre in Mysuru, Sharath Jois became one of the most respected and influential yoga instructors of his generation. Over the course of three decades, he taught thousands of students from all over the world, sharing not just the technical aspects of Ashtanga yoga but also its deeper philosophical and spiritual dimensions. His teachings were marked by a deep sense of humility, discipline, and a commitment to preserving the integrity of the practice.

Each year, students from over 70 countries made the pilgrimage to Mysuru to study at the Sharath Yoga Centre, which became one of the premier institutions for Ashtanga yoga globally. Under his guidance, many students went on to become prominent teachers in their own right, furthering the spread of Ashtanga yoga worldwide. His influence reached far beyond India, with yoga flourishing in countries like Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Chile, and Finland—regions where the practice was relatively unknown until his efforts began to make waves.

Sharath Jois was also dedicated to giving back to his community and the world. He founded the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Charitable Trust in 2005, through which he supported a wide range of philanthropic initiatives. The trust has been instrumental in providing education for underprivileged children, organizing blood donation drives, assisting flood victims, and offering aid to first responders and local communities in need. He was also a driving force behind the Arunodaya Trust, which supports the development of differently-abled children.

Sharath’s impact was not limited to yoga alone; his teachings and the global yoga community he built also brought significant economic benefits to his hometown of Mysuru. The Sharath Yoga Centre’s success helped to revitalize the local economy, with many businesses and cafes catering to the growing number of international students visiting the city.

In 2020, during the global pandemic, Sharath Jois took his teachings online to continue supporting his international students, while also raising funds to provide relief to those affected by the crisis in India. His students, inspired by his example of generosity, mobilized to provide essential supplies and aid to local workers, further cementing his legacy as both a teacher and a humanitarian.

Sharath Jois’s sudden and untimely passing on November 12, 2024, in Virginia, USA, while on a teaching tour, has left a profound void in the yoga world. He was deeply loved and respected by his students, colleagues, and peers worldwide. His legacy, however, continues through his teachings, the Sharath Yoga Centre, and the countless lives he touched with his wisdom, compassion, and dedication to the practice of Ashtanga yoga. His passing marks the end of an era, but his influence and spirit will continue to guide practitioners for generations to come.