Last month, the Yoga world was shaken by the untimely passing of Sharath Jois, the esteemed Mysuru-based Yoga Guru, who died of heart failure while hiking with his students in the United States.
When I received the news, I too was embarking on a long and tough trek. Amid the profound sense of loss, a chilling thought crossed my mind: If Sharath Jois, a beacon of health and discipline, could succumb to heart failure, what does that mean for the rest of us?
Sharath was the reason I embraced Yoga. We had known each other for years, as is common among Mysureans who grew up in the close-knit city that Mysuru once was.
He had persistently encouraged me to adopt Yoga to counteract the hereditary heart issues prevalent in my family.
When I finally relented, Sharath insisted on a disciplined regimen. He urged me to follow a vegetarian diet and abandon my gym routines.
I once joked, “I don’t want to end up looking like a malnourished construction worker, because barely eating, doing Yoga and living on vegetables will do that.”
He smiled knowingly and retorted, “Do I look like a malnourished construction worker to you? A Yoga body is as resilient as reinforced concrete. Yoga builds strength from the inside out.”
I was fortunate to have Sharath’s personal guidance. Our afternoon sessions were gruelling — drenched in sweat, muscles trembling and utterly exhausting — but I always walked away feeling unshackled, both physically and mentally.
While some criticised Sharath as being ‘commercial,’ this perception was far from reality. Yes, he commanded a global following, but he also taught locals at minimal or no cost.
Accusations that he favoured foreigners were similarly unfounded. Sharath did work to balance promoting Yoga internationally and nurturing its roots in Mysuru.
The only time I saw him visibly troubled was when allegations of sexual misconduct against his late grandfather, Pattabhi Jois, made headlines.
Sharath, who had learned everything from his grandfather, was torn between reverence for the old man and the disturbing nature of the accusations. His public response — a letter that was part apology, part explanation — reflected his inner conflict.
With Sharath’s passing, a critical question looms for Mysuru: Will it remain the global epicentre of Ashtanga Yoga? I fear it may not.
Though our city has other talented teachers, none possess Sharath’s combination of lineage, charisma and international network.
Pattabhi Jois may have placed Mysuru on the global Yoga map, but it was Sharath who, through rigorous discipline and unparalleled dedication, transformed it into a thriving hub.
His impact extended beyond the Yoga mat. Sharath’s influence turned Gokulam, a quiet neighbourhood, into a bustling Yoga destination, attracting students from around the world.
The local economy flourished — from autorickshaw drivers to bike rentals, paying guest accommodations and even tender coconut sellers, all benefited from the annual influx of Yoga practitioners.
Tastefully designed Cafés, restaurants and boutique shops emerged, giving Gokulam a cosmopolitan charm that belied its modest roots.
Amid grief, Sharath’s death has reignited an unsettling conversation: Why are seemingly healthy young people succumbing to heart issues?
A study published in Vascular Health found that Indians aged 35 – 45 years are dying of heart disease 10 – 15 years earlier than their counterparts elsewhere in the world.
A decade ago, undergoing heart surgery was met with shock and sympathy. Today, terms like ‘ECG,’ ‘Angiogram,’ ‘Stent’ and ‘TMT’ have become part of casual conversation, even among men in their 30s.
Acronyms like EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) and discussions about cholesterol medications like ‘Roseday’ are no longer confined to doctors’ offices but feature prominently in social gatherings.
This normalisation of heart disease in the prime of life signals a societal health crisis. Yet, instead of prompting widespread lifestyle changes, it often breeds cynicism.
After all, if paragons of health like Sharath Jois and actor Puneeth Rajkumar can fall prey to heart ailments, what hope do the rest of us have?
But this fatalistic attitude is dangerous. The lesson here is not to abandon healthy practices but to embrace balance.
Blaming vaccines, stress or sleep deprivation may offer temporary scapegoats, but the deeper solution may lie in Madhyamā-pratipadā — the Buddhist principle of moderation. Strive for equilibrium, neither indulgence nor deprivation, in all aspects of life.
Sharath Jois’ life was a testament to discipline, resilience and purpose. His death, though tragic, underscores the fragility of life but his legacy, we are sure, will endure for a long time to come.
Sharath’s absence leaves a void not just in the world of Yoga but in the cultural and economic fabric of Mysuru. Without his leadership, will the city lose its status as the ‘Mecca of Ashtanga Yoga’? Only time will tell.
e-mail: vikram@starofmysore.com
This post was published on December 21, 2024 6:05 pm