19/01/2026
Month in Mysore …
It sounds long, but it went by fast & furious. Arriving depleted & with some pain inside & out from a hard year, but amazingly leaving stronger, more mobile & hopeful.
Nowhere in the world right now you can practice Ashtanga in a shala being taught with 6 certified teachers & 6 authorised teachers together in a room. More than half the teachers assisting in the shala have been practicing with Sharath Jois & teaching Ashtanga as he did, for about 20 years, plus practicing for even longer. You are lucky if you have one of them in any shala in the world. At .yoga.centre you are looked after by several.
I say looked after because, I felt looked after and I don’t say that easily. I have been hurt severely twice in my life by being adjusted in backbending positions that left me fighting to continue moving and practicing the past 13years. I don’t trust easily, my own late teacher told me not to let anyone adjust me again except him. I know pain, I know fear and I have spent years working hard to depend on myself to move in a way that may not be deep or fancy but lets me practice & progress safely. For the first time, I practiced in a room this past month of not only one but multiple teachers whom I also consider friends (+ 1 husband 🤣) that are great at what they have been doing for decades… teach, adjust and support practitioners without ego, the safest & only way to truly teach Ashtanga.
I wish had more time to hang out with friends, there were lots I wanted to do but didn’t get a chance, but the smiles in the shala, working hard on practice & quality time with Kai in the town where his mom and dad met filled my heart so much that I am ready to take on 2026. I guess that’s the magic of Mysore.
Thank you Shruti, Shraddha & Sambhava Jois in doing absolutely everything you can for as many as possible to experience Sharath’s Yoga Centre. You have already created something unique for Ashtanga in this world.
Thank you to all the teachers that assisted in December and January whom kindly carried me physically and emotionally through each practice with your kind support. Thank you for creating a safe trustworthy environment.