The day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh (July/August) is traditionally celebrated as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima by Hindus. On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to their Guru (Spiritual Guide).
For all the Ashtanga Yoga pratictioners our Guru - literally ‘the one who shines light where there is darkness’ - is Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009). He started learning yoga when he was 12 years old, after meeting one of the greatest yogis of the last century, Sri T. Krishnamacharya. A few years after, Pattabhi Jois left his family and village and travelled more than 100 km with only 2 rupees in his pocket, so that he could study Sanskrit at the University of Mysore. For the first 2 years he had to beg for food every day, but he never stopped practicing yoga. In 1930, he met Krishnamacharya again in Mysore where he was giving a demostration, and he began to study yoga with his Guru again. His influece, energy and spirit is inherent in and inseperable from each of our daily yoga practices today.
We thank him for this amazing practice that he has passed to us and that its benefits have changed the life of so many. – Thanks Guruji
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009)
A famous verse known from the Skanda Purana – Guru Gita glorifies the Guru:
Gurubrahma Guruvishnu Gururdevo Maheshwaraha |
Guruhu sakshaat Parambrahman tasmai Shrigurave namaha ||
“The guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), veneration to the Guru who is Parabrahman manifest.”
Ashtanga Yoga lineage - Saraswati, Sharath, Shambava
Students pay respect to Guruji in the Shala
Guru Purnima
Bella & Saraswati
Sruti - Sharath's wife
Prasad (blessed food) after celebrating our Guru's birthday
Enjoying