K. Pattabhi Jois Quotes
K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009) was an Indian yoga teacher and guru who developed the popular Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system. He was born in the village of Kowshika, Karnataka, India and studied yoga under his teacher, Krishnamacharya. Jois is credited with popularizing Ashtanga Yoga in the West, and his…Read More
K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009) was an Indian yoga teacher and guru who developed the popular Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system. He was born in the village of Kowshika, Karnataka, India and studied yoga under his teacher, Krishnamacharya. Jois is credited with popularizing Ashtanga Yoga in the West, and his teachings have been adopted by many prominent yoga teachers. He wrote several books on yoga, including Yoga Mala, Yoga Anatomy, and Yoga for Health and Happiness. He was also the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India, where he taught until his death in 2009.Read Less
K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009) was an Indian yoga teacher and guru who developed the popular Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system. He was born in the village of Kowshika, Karnataka, India and studied yoga under his teacher, Krishnamacharya. Jois is credited with popularizing Ashtanga Yoga in the West, and his teachings have been adopted by many prominent yoga teachers. He wrote several books on yoga, including Yoga Mala, Yoga Anatomy, and Yoga for Health and Happiness. He was also the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India, where he taught until his death in 2009.
8 Best K. Pattabhi Jois Quotes
K. Pattabhi Jois Career Highlights
- In 1937, Jois opened the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India, where he taught yoga to students from all over the world.
- In 1964, Jois traveled to the United States for the first time to teach yoga at the invitation of his student, David Williams. This marked the beginning of his international teaching career.
- In 1975, Jois published his book “Yoga Mala,” which became a seminal text on Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and is still widely used by yoga practitioners today.
- In 2002, Jois was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, for his contributions to the field of yoga.
- Jois continued to teach and spread the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga until his passing in 2009 at the age of 93.
Key Contributions by K. Pattabhi Jois
- Jois is credited with popularizing the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga style, which is a dynamic and physically demanding form of yoga that focuses on synchronizing breath with movement.
- He developed a specific sequence of postures, known as the Primary Series, which is the foundation of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. This sequence is designed to purify the body and mind and prepare the practitioner for more advanced postures.
- Jois emphasized the importance of the breath in his teachings, often saying, “Practice yoga, and all is coming.” He believed that through the breath, one could achieve a state of meditation and ultimately, self-realization.
- Jois also placed great importance on the traditional aspects of yoga, including chanting, pranayama (breath control), and the study of yoga philosophy.
What Sets K. Pattabhi Jois Apart
- Jois was known for his strict and disciplined teaching style, which earned him the nickname “Guruji” among his students. He believed that yoga should be practiced with dedication, devotion, and discipline.
- He was also known for his hands-on adjustments, where he would physically guide his students into the correct alignment in a posture. This approach was controversial at times, but many students credit Jois for helping them deepen their practice.
- Jois was a humble and simple man who lived a yogic lifestyle. He was known for his kindness, compassion, and dedication to his students, and his teachings continue to inspire and influence yoga practitioners worldwide.
Takeaways
- Jois’s dedication to the traditional practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and his emphasis on the breath and discipline have had a lasting impact on the modern yoga world.
- His teachings continue to be passed down through his students, who have become influential yoga teachers in their own right.
- Jois’s legacy lives on through the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, now known as the KPJAYI (K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute), which is run by his grandson, Sharath Jois.
- Jois’s life and teachings serve as a reminder of the transformative power of yoga and the importance of dedication and discipline in one’s practice.
Other People
Yoga teacher and author
· USA
1951
Yoga teacher and therapist
· USA
1954
Yoga teacher
· India
Yoga teacher
· Latvia
1899
