29/07/2026
Today I remember my teacher, Sharath Jois 🙏
When I first met him in London in 2006, he smiled, looked at my heavily built body, and, with his characteristic dry humour, said, "You do a lot of training?"
Over the years, I came to appreciate his remarkable ability to see people, not just their yoga practice, but their character, their potential, and what they needed at that particular moment.
Although, in my understanding, he was very particular about how students should perform the asanas, two students could receive completely different instructions. Not because one was right and the other wrong, but because he taught the individual in front of him. To me, that is one of the defining qualities of the Ashtanga method.
For me, that lesson was Kapotasana.
I began working on the pose in 2003. At the time, I could only catch my toes, but my teacher allowed me to continue beyond it. Sharath didn't. Every time I practised with him, I stopped there.
At my first Led Intermediate class with him in 2011, he tried to help me catch my heels, but I wasn't ready.
It wasn't until 2016 that I could finally do it on my own. Only then did he allow me to continue through the rest of Intermediate Series in the Mysore room.
Looking back, I understand that he wasn't holding me back. He was asking me to become the person who could do it.
That journey wasn't just about opening my shoulders or my spine, or developing stronger legs. It required patience, persistence, humility, and a willingness to change both my body and my mind.
Today, I'm grateful for that lesson, and for all the teachers who have shaped my life in ways they may never fully know.
On Guru Purnima, perhaps take a moment to think of the people who have quietly helped you move forward.
Not only spiritual teachers, but all those who, at the right moment, helped us grow into who we are. Parents, school teachers, coaches, mentors, friends... the people who saw something in us before we could see it ourselves.
They may never become famous or wealthy, but they leave something far more valuable behind.
They help shape our lives.
Thank you.
