We can't wait to see you for our first primary led class on the 3d of September, 2025 at 6:00. It's donation based!
About Ashtanga Tradition
Ashtanga Yoga literally means "eight limbs" — ashta (eight) and anga (limb) — referring to the eightfold path outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. What many people in the West associate with yoga — the physical postures or asana — is just one of these limbs. However, it is indeed our most accessible tool for calming the restless mind and connecting with a deeper sense of presence. We call it "Practice".
Come practice A bit of history: from East to West
The practice of yoga asana in the Ashtanga tradition, as we know it today, was developed and adapted to modern life by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. His daughter, Saraswati Jois, and grandson, Sharath Jois, have continued to carry the lineage forward. Pattabhi Jois was a dedicated student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, who is often regarded as the father of modern yoga.
Images from "Yoga Mala" by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, "Astanga Yoga Anusthana" by R. Sharath Jois and "Yoga Sadhana for Mothers" by Sharmila Desai & Anna Wise
Images from "Yoga Mala" by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, "Astanga Yoga Anusthana" by R. Sharath Jois and "Yoga Sadhana for Mothers" by Sharmila Desai & Anna Wise
While Sri T. Krishnamacharya was known for his rigorous approach, the heart of his teaching lay in personalized, one-on-one instruction—tailoring the practice to meet each student’s unique physical and mental needs.
Images from "Health, Healing, and Beyond" by T.K.V. Desikachar with R.H. Cravens and "The Yoga of The Yogi" by Kausthab Desikachar
Images from "Health, Healing, and Beyond" by T.K.V. Desikachar with R.H. Cravens and "The Yoga of The Yogi" by Kausthab Desikachar
Pattabhi Jois expanded on this individualized method by developing what is now known as Mysore-style practice—a self-paced approach named after the city of Mysuru (formerly Mysore) in Karnataka, India. In 1948, he established the first Ashtanga Yoga Shala in the Lakshmipuram neighborhood of Mysore. This small room in his home became the birthplace of what would grow into a global movement. Over the years, the shala attracted Indian and later international students—including early Western pioneers such as Norman Allen, David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, and later Richard Freeman and Tim Miller—who helped bring the practice to the West.
Images from "Guruji. A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students" by Guy Donahaye and Eddie Stern
Images from "Guruji. A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students" by Guy Donahaye and Eddie Stern
Today, two of the most recognized Ashtanga schools still operate in Mysuru: the Sharath Yoga Centre, now run by the family of the late Sharath Jois, and KPJAYI (Krishna Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute), led by Saraswati Jois and her daughter, Sharmila. Both schools welcome students from all over the world. If you're seeking an authentic, source-based experience of Ashtanga Yoga, we highly recommend visiting their websites for more information.
