Pattabhi Jois

AN INSPIRING YOGI

One of the most inspiring yogis of our times is K. Pattabhi Jois, an Indian yoga guru who developed and popularised Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga.

Born in 1915, he attended a lecture by S. T. Krishnamacharya at the age of 12 and the very next day became his student – the beginning of 25 years of study with Krishnamacharya.

Krishnamacharya had cured the Maharaja of Mysore of serious illness through yoga and in gratitude, the Maharaja established a yoga sala for him on the palace grounds. Krishnamacharya remained in Mysore with Pattabhi Jois until the death of the Maharaja in 1941.

When Krishnamacharya moved to Madras, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois remained in Mysore and married at 22 years old. In 1948 the couple, with the help of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois’ students, purchased a home in Lakshmipuram.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois held a teaching position in yoga at the Sanskrit College for many years, and in 1956 he became a professor. In 1948, he established the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute at their new home.

In 1964, a Belgian named Andre van Lysbeth spent two months with Jois learning the primary and intermediate asanas of the Ashtanga Yoga system. Van Lysbeth then wrote a book called Pranayama which mentioned Jois and included his address. This marked the beginning of westerners coming to Mysore to study yoga.

In 1958, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois began writing Yoga Mala. It was published in India in 1962 and was first published in English in 1999. He taught yoga at his school at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, in Mysore, India right up until his death in 2009, attracting thousands of foreign yoga students every year as they come to practice in the presence of a master.

If the ancient philosophies of yoga intrigue you as you develop your understanding of wellness and its principles, click here for a brief history of yoga.

At Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa we incorporate yoga into many of our holistic programs and experiences. Multiple daily yoga classes take place in the most peaceful and beautiful parts of our resort and our expert yoga instructors are here to guide you through the discovery process and find a practice and yoga discipline that works perfectly for you.

RELATED POSTS

Mindfulness Tips

Practicing mindfulness can help interrupt the stress cycle to allow space to respond instead of having and emotional outburst. Discover our top tips and practices ...
Read More

Pattabhi Jois

The story of Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois.
Read More

Benefits of Yoga

Doing just one hour of asanas helped avid posers raise their levels of the brain chemical GABA by 27 percent.
Read More

Time to Detox

Are you always tired and low on energy? Is it hard to think clearly? Do you have persistent colds, constipation or headaches?
Read More
Meditation Tips

Meditation Practice Tips

Try these simple suggestions to cultivate your meditation practice at home.
Read More

Yoga Instructors

Kamalaya's inspired and qualified yoga instructors offer specialized teaching in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin yoga.
Read More

The Best of Kamalaya

As we round up another year of wellbeing, the key experts at Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa share their top tips in ...
Read More
Detox food in Thailand

Benefits of Detox

These are the common symptoms alleviated by detox.
Read More

RECOMMENDED WELLNESS PROGRAMS AT KAMALAYA

PERSONAL YOGA SYNERGY

YIN & YANG YOGA RETREAT

RELATED POSTS

What is Trending at Kamalaya

The award-winning progress and innovative approach to health and holistic wellbeing we’ve achieved have been commended across the pages of the world’s best wellness and ...
Read More

Weight Loss: Quantity or Quality?

Despite the proliferation of diets in the world today, weight loss is really just about two basic rules.
Read More

Detox Pre-Arrival

We recommend that you follow our suggestions below before joining a detox program.
Read More
Emotional Stress

Checklist to Feel Less Overwhelmed

Stress can cause both mental and physical symptoms. The effects of stress are different for different people.
Read More

Time to Detox

Are you always tired and low on energy? Is it hard to think clearly? Do you have persistent colds, constipation or headaches?
Read More

Real Cost of Coffee

Caffeine is a fast-acting stimulant that makes you feel more awake and energetic. Depending on the strength and quantity of caffeine consumed, its effects can ...
Read More

Organic Healing

Your personalised wellness experience begins the moment that you step foot into the tranquil surroundings of Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa.
Read More

Yoga Postures

Asana is Sanskrit for "seat". It is no accident that this word be chosen to describe the "posture" of Yoga.
Read More

RECOMMENDED WELLNESS PROGRAMS AT KAMALAYA

RELAX & RENEW

BASIC BALANCE & REVITALISE

BOOK YOUR DAY PASS

(Expected date of arrival should be booked on purchase, in case of changes it can be extended with 24 hour notice. )