In brief
Sharath Jois, the esteemed yoga master celebrated for his role in popularizing Ashtanga yoga, has passed away at the young age of 53 after suffering a heart attack while hiking near Charlottesville, Virginia. His influential workshops attracted many followers worldwide, helping to spread his grandfather's legacy.
Sharath Jois, a revered figure in the world of yoga and the grandson of Ashtanga’s founder, Krishna Pattabhi Jois, has died at the age of 53, following a heart attack on a hiking trail in Charlottesville, Virginia. His family confirmed the news, revealing that he was visiting the area at the time. John Bultman, the yoga program head at the University of Virginia, also verified this heartbreaking information.Jois was known for his intensive workshops both in India and around the globe, drawing in thousands of followers eager for direct learning from the master of Ashtanga yoga, a dynamic and physically demanding style that emphasizes breath synchronization with movement. This form of yoga, established on ancient practices rooted in Sanskrit and Hindu traditions, has gained immense popularity, particularly in recent decades, seen as a highly accessible fitness regimen.The resurgence of interest in Ashtanga yoga in the 1990s was significantly fueled by Jois's grandfather, who attracted numerous high-profile admirers, including celebrities. As the heir to this tradition, Sharath took on the title “Paramaguru,” or "lineage holder," to represent his commitment to preserving his family's teachings. His workshops in Mysore, India, often sold out within minutes, reflecting his stature in the global yoga community. Followers and prominent students, including Kino MacGregor, praised his exceptional teaching skills. A longtime student, Isha Singh Sawhney, noted the increasing number of attendees at his workshops, emphasizing his influence and the admiration he commanded as a teacher.