Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) was born in July 1915. When Guruji was 12 years old, he attended a yoga demonstration at his middle school in Hassan. The next day he went to meet the great yogi, the demonstration, a man by the name of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, who had learned yoga for eight years from his Guru , Rama Mohan Brahmachari in a cave in Tibet. The next two years, Guruji spent every day, learned from his Guru. When Guruji turned 14, he went through a brahmin thread ceremony. Krishnamacharya left Hassan to travel and teach, and Guruji left his village to go to Mysore.
One seriously ill Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna Rajendra Wodeyar. Upon learning that the great yogi came to Mysore. He sent for Krishnamacharya and cured him properly. Maharaja became a great patron of his and built him yogashala (school of yoga) on the grounds of the Palace Art Gallery. Guruji with his teacher also taught Maharaja from time to time, and on several occasions he was called yoga demonstrations. Maharaja, who had taken a liking for Guruji, told him: “I want you to teach yoga at the Sanskrit College. You’re going to teach, and I will provide you a scholarship to go to school, free food in my mess hall and a salary. ” Guruji, very pleased, asked permission from his Guru. Krishnamacharya gave its approval, and the first in March 1937 was formed Department of Yoga Sanskrit College. He remained its head until his retirement in 1973. While teaching at the University from 1937 to 1973, Guruji earned the title of professor, and received the title Vidwan.
In 1964, among students Pattabhi Jois came the first man from the west Andre Van Lisbeth . In 1972. the first Americans came, after that ashtanga yoga began spreading in America: in California, and later in Hawaii. In 1975. Guruji and Manju made their first trip to America. In the next 25 years, the practice has become known across America as well as in France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Israel, Chile, England, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries.
Pattabhi Jois died May 18, 2009 at the age of 94 years. Successor P. Joyce is his grandson Sharath (b. 1971), who helped him to lead seminars and is the director of Yoga-based Joyce shals (yoga school) and the Institute for the study of Ashtanga yoga.
