K. Pattabhi Jois and Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga, often referred to as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, is one of the most influential and widely practiced styles of yoga in the world today. Known for its dynamic flow, breath synchronization (ujjayi breathing), and structured sequences of postures (asanas), Ashtanga Yoga traces its modern evolution to the legendary Indian yoga teacher Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
This article explores the origins and development of Ashtanga Yoga, Jois’ singular contributions, and how his teachings continue to influence practitioners worldwide.
The Journey of Pattabhi Jois
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, affectionately known as Guruji, began his yoga journey at the young age of 12. His first teacher was Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, one of the most revered figures in modern yoga history. Under Krishnamacharya’s guidance, Jois practiced in secret, absorbing knowledge rooted in ancient yogic texts such as the Yoga Korunta, attributed to the sage Vamana Rishi.
At age 14, Jois left home to attend the prestigious Sanskrit University in Mysore, India, where he reunited with Krishnamacharya. Around this time, the Maharaja of Mysore, seeking healing, turned to Krishnamacharya for help. With royal support, Krishnamacharya established a yoga shala (school) and enlisted gifted students like Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar to demonstrate yoga publicly.
Pattabhi’s teachings would later be deeply influenced by the Yoga Korunta, forming the foundation of what we now know as Ashtanga Yoga.
Founding of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute
After the Maharaja’s death, Pattabhi Jois took it upon himself to carry forward the Ashtanga legacy. In 1948, he founded the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (AYRI) in Mysore. His dedication to spreading yoga led to increasing numbers of Western students traveling to India to study with him, eventually bringing Ashtanga Yoga to the global stage.
In the following decades, Guruji traveled extensively across India and abroad, conducting workshops, giving lectures, and inspiring thousands with his deep understanding of yoga.
Expanding the Legacy
In 1998, Jois opened the Lakshmipuram Institute, a larger space to accommodate the growing number of international students. In 2006, he established an American center in Islamorada, Florida, where he spent his final years teaching and guiding yogis from all over the world.
Upon his passing in 2009 at the age of 93, Pattabhi left the care of the institute to his daughter Saraswathi Jois and grandson Sharath Jois, both of whom have continued to teach and preserve his legacy. In 2012, the U.S. center was moved to Encinitas, California, becoming part of the Jois Yoga Foundation.
Contemporary Ashtanga Teachers
Several renowned yogis have carried the torch of Pattabhi Jois’ teachings, including:
- Sharath Jois
- Saraswathi Jois
- Richard Freeman
- David Swenson
- Tim Miller
- Dena Kingsberg
- Eddie Stern
- Manu Jois
These teachers continue to promote the authentic lineage of Ashtanga Yoga while adapting it to the modern world.
The Structure of Ashtanga Yoga Practice
Pattabhi Jois’ approach divides the practice into six progressive series, each made up of approximately 25 asanas:
- Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) – Detoxification and alignment
- Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) – Nervous system purification
- Advanced A–D Series (Sthira Bhaga) – Strength, grace, and inner energy control
Most practitioners remain within the first or second series for years. Only a select few advance to the final sequences, which involve deep physical and energetic mastery—including advanced backbends, bandhas, and even yogic techniques such as heartbeat control.
Today, Sharath Jois remains the only known person to have completed all series under Pattabhi’s guidance.
Pattabhi Jois’ Philosophy: Practice First
Pattabhi Jois was clear: Ashtanga Yoga is not merely physical exercise. His teachings emphasized inner transformation through consistent practice. He famously said:
For Jois, yoga was about experiencing truth within oneself—not through intellectual debate but through embodiment.
He often referred to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, especially the eightfold path (Ashta-anga) laid out in the second chapter, Sadhana Pada. According to Jois, asana and pranayama are tools to purify the body and mind, creating space for deeper spiritual realization.
Beyond Fitness: The True Aim of Ashtanga Yoga
While many people encounter Ashtanga Yoga through gym classes or “Power Yoga” formats inspired by the Primary Series, the true purpose lies far beyond physical fitness. Pattabhi Jois believed that asana practice opens the doorway to deeper awareness, allowing the inner light of the Self to shine through.
With continued discipline, students gradually gain control over the senses and the mind, leading to clarity, balance, and spiritual insight.
Conclusion
The legacy of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Ashtanga Yoga is one of dedication, discipline, and spiritual exploration. It remains one of the few systems of yoga that demands complete commitment—and in return, offers profound insight into the Self.
For those willing to embark on this path, Jois’ message still echoes today:
