In brief
Sharath Jois, the influential figure behind the global rise of Ashtanga yoga, has died at 53, after suffering a heart attack while hiking. His contributions to the practice have impacted thousands worldwide.
Sharath Jois, the revered yoga master and heir to the Ashtanga yoga tradition, passed away on Monday in Virginia, at the age of 53. His death comes after a heart attack he experienced while on a hiking trail near the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, where he was an honored guest.Confirmed by his sister, Sharmila Mahesh, and John Bultman, the yoga program manager at the university, Jois’s death has sent shockwaves through the global yoga community. Over the years, he had attracted thousands of followers to his workshops in India and internationally, who sought the opportunity to learn directly from the leader of this physically demanding style of yoga.Ashtanga yoga, rooted deeply in Sanskrit traditions and Hindu rituals, has become one of the most popular forms of exercise around the world, evolving significantly since its founding by his grandfather, Krishna Pattabhi Jois. The practice gained immense popularity in the 1990s, appealing to a myriad of followers, including notable figures such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.Inheriting his grandfather's legacy, Sharath Jois embraced the title of "Paramaguru," meaning "lineage holder," on social media. His workshops in Mysore, India, became known for their immense popularity, often selling out within moments of opening. Prominent student Kino MacGregor reflected on this growth, stating: "The crowd was growing every year."“Isha Singh Sawhney, a dedicated student who co-authored Jois's book "Ageless," praised him as an exceptional teacher. “He was one of the best,” she stated, reflecting the sentiments of those he inspired during his life's work in promoting and teaching yoga. His contributions will be remembered as a fundamental part of the Ashtanga yoga tradition.
