Ashtanga Yoga Guru Sharath Jois Dies, Aged 53

Renowned yoga guru Sharath Jois, known for popularizing Ashtanga Yoga and teaching celebrities like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, passed away at 53 due to a heart attack while hiking near the University of Virginia. Jois, the grandson of famed yoga master K. Pattabhi Jois, had been leading a teaching tour across the U.S. and was scheduled to conduct classes in San Antonio and later internationally in Sydney and Dubai. Under his leadership, the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore flourished, drawing global students and transforming into a multi-million-dollar industry. His sudden demise has led to an outpouring of condolences from the yoga community worldwide, highlighting his significant contributions to modern yoga. He is survived by his parents, wife, and two children. Jois’s legacy continues through the Sharath Yoga Centre in Mysore, which he founded after his grandfather's passing.