K. Pattabhi Jois Biography 
K. Pattabhi Jois was an Indian yoga teacher and Sanskrit scholar from Karnataka. He is best known for Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, developed and preached by this guru. He established the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore in 1948, which is now known as K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. He was a prominent figure in the field of yoga, who had numerous students, and he also played a magnificent role in promoting this practice in many countries globally. His grandson R. Sharath Jois is following his legacy, and is known for his expertise in Ashtanga yoga founded by his grandfather.
He was born on 26 July 1915 in Kowshika, Hassan, Karnataka. His father was an astrologer, priest, and landholder. He had 8 siblings. He started learning Sanskrit at the age of 5, as a part of his family tradition. But none of his family members have practised yoga before him. At the age of 12, attended a yoga lecture and demonstration at Hassan by T. Krishnamacharya and got drawn to it. Thus the following day, in 1927 he became a student of this legend. For the next two years he rose early every day, practised yoga and then went to school. But he never told anyone about the classes.
In 1930, Jois ran away from home to Mysore to study Sanskrit. In 1932 he joined his guru to continue yoga practices. When his guru healed Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna Rajendra Wodeyar through his yoga practices, the ruler established a Yoga shala for him at the Jaganmohan Palace. Jois started accompanying his guru for demos. He also assisted his guru in teachings, and also taught students in his absence. He married Savitramma at the age of 18 and had three children. After his son committed suicide when Jois was 42, he literally stopped practising asanas.
Published: July 29, 2018
Updated: July 29, 2018
