Indian-Origin Yoga Guru Sharath Jois Dies of Heart Attack in the US at 53
Indian-Origin Yoga Guru Sharath Jois Dies of Heart Attack in the US at 53
World-renowned yoga master Sharath Jois, celebrated for popularizing Ashtanga yoga globally, passed away while on a teaching tour in Virginia.
Renowned yoga guru R. Sharath Jois, aged 53, passed away on Monday in Virginia, USA, following a heart attack. He was the grandson of K. Pattabhi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga yoga, and a prominent figure in the global yoga community.
Jois was hiking near the University of Virginia in Charlottesville with a group of around 50 students when he suddenly collapsed. Witnesses reported that he appeared fatigued, rested on a bench, and later lost consciousness. Despite attempts to revive him with CPR, emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
The yoga master, based in Mysuru, India, was in the middle of a teaching tour and had planned to return home in December to resume classes. He was also scheduled to conduct workshops in San Antonio, Texas, and internationally in Sydney and Dubai in 2024. Hours before his death, he had shared a video of his yoga session on Instagram.
Sharath Jois was instrumental in continuing his grandfather’s legacy, elevating Ashtanga yoga to international prominence. He taught thousands of students worldwide, including celebrities such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. His teachings also gained recognition from figures like Hillary Clinton, who credited his breathing techniques, such as Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, with helping her manage stress.
The news of Jois’ passing has deeply saddened the yoga community. D. Shrihari from the GSS Yogic Foundation in Mysuru described it as “shocking” and praised Jois for taking Ashtanga yoga to new heights. Shivaprakash Guruji, a leading yoga figure, called his death a significant loss, referring to Jois as the “Mount Meru of Ashtanga Yoga.”
Jois’ contributions to the world of yoga remain an enduring legacy, inspiring practitioners globally even after his untimely demise.
