NB!! Yoga Visa

Planning to study yoga in India? From now on you will need a yoga visa. Check out the latest news from the KPJ Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore:

# From March 2010, all students coming to study at KPJAYI must enter India on a yoga visa, as required by Indian law. You may email shala@kpjayi.org for admission letters from our Institute to include with your visa application form to the Indian Embassy in your country. Upon arrival, students should follow the relevant registration formalities with the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in Mysore.

# Please note, according to Indian law: There should be gap of at least 2 months between two visits to India on tourist and other visas.

# For more information on visa and registration requirements, please refer to the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, India. They have published clear rules and instructions for foreigners coming to India.

The Ashtanga Legacy: Type A, Athletic, American

posted by ebeans

Thanks to YogaDork for posting on the recent NY Magazine “tribute” article about Pattabhi Jois.

I don’t know what I expected.  Maybe some insight?

…

Yeah, there is some truth to it…I guess the rest will just stay a secret.  Maybe it is time to stop reading these articles.

Mysore Memorial for Pattabhi Jois

posted by ebean

If you couldn’t jet to Mysore or happened to forget your camera, here is Guruji’s Vaikunta Samaradhane (marking the end of the mourning period) in words and pictures…

Mysore Life Blog

Flickr Photostream

NY Times on “Krishna Pattabhi Jois”

posted by ebean

Krishna Pattabhi Jois, Leading Expert in Yoga, Dies at 93
By VIKAS BAJAJ
Published: May 20, 2009 by NY Times

MUMBAI, India — Krishna Pattabhi Jois, a prominent and influential yoga teacher who drew a global following that included Western celebrities like Madonna and Sting, died on Monday in his home in the southern Indian city of Mysore, his family said. He was 93.

Associated Press

Krishna Pattabhi Jois, a yoga teacher and practitioner, popularized Ashtanga yoga in the West.

Known to his followers simply as guruji, a term of respect for teachers, Mr. Jois (pronounced JOYCE) had an ulcer in his throat that made it difficult for him to swallow food, according to Sharhat Rangaswamy, his grandson and the director of his yoga institute. In the days before he died, Mr. Jois was also struck by a urine infection and pneumonia, Mr. Rangaswamy said in a telephone interview.  read more

Barry Silver: Guruji Slideshow

Click image or here
Thank you YogaDork for posting this.

NYC Remembers Guruji

from the SKPJ Charitable Trust

Ashtanga Yoga New York
Prayer services Tuesday, May 19th at 8 am and Friday, May 22 at 6:30 pm.
“Please come if you can, and spend time among friends and fellow practitioners sharing memories of Guruji.”

Yoga Sutra
Held prayers, mediation, and recollections honoring Pattabhi Jois on Monday, May 18th from 7:30 P.M.

Jivamukti
Fire Ceremony & Special Sanskrit Mantras / A Talk on the Guru
Tues May 19th, 2009
7:45 pm – 9:15 pm
Join Jivamukti Yoga School in honoring the life of the great yogi, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Ruth-ji will speak on the Guru, and Manorama-ji will lead the chanting of Sanskrit mantras combined with a sacred fire ceremony.

Donate
Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Charitable Trust
“The Trust is organized for the promotion of spiritual, physical, mental, educational development and upliftment of adults and children of all ages without any distinction of caste, creed or religion and in the interest of mankind in general…The registered Trust was set up in honor of Guruji’s 90th birthday and was inaugurated at an event in July 2005 where more than 800 students and friends from around the world gathered to pay respect to their guru. It is a charitable organization exempt under Section 12A and 80(G) of the Income Tax Act (1961) in India, with 100% of its contributions going to charitable projects in the local community.”
Make a donation.

Know an event? Please comment or email.

URGENT – Sharath returns to Mysore, Guruji in the ICU

Urgent update from the KPJAYI in Mysore. Elephantbeans is sending the whole family, our yoga family for many of us, all the love in our hearts.

*** URGENT NEWS — TOUR UPDATE ***

May 5, 2009: We are sad to announce that Guruji has been admitted to the ICU. Sharath must return to Mysore immediately to be with his family at this critical time. He has asked certified teacher John Smith to finish the rest of week one in San Francisco in his absence. We invite registered and drop-in students to finish the week of led primary in support of Guruji, Sharath and family. If you prefer a three-day refund, please let us know: sharath@ashtangayogasanfrancisco.com.

The second week in San Francisco and the Toronto workshop will unfortunately be cancelled. Full refunds will be given. For information about San Francisco, please email: sharath@ashtangayogasanfrancisco.com. For information about Toronto, email info@sharathtoronto.com

Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. Please do not contact the family directly and check KPJAYI’s website for updates on Guruji’s health or send him your note of love.

Offering Notes of Love & Gratitude To Guruji

An opportunity to offer a short, simple, sweet note of Love & Gratitude To Guruji.

Greetings Students,

A new student recently asked me if I would read a note if she wrote one to Guruji expressing her love and gratitude for his life work. I of course said yes. She did write the note and when I read it to Guruji he was most engaged and moved.
It occurred to me that there are probably many, many students who would like to communicate their love and appreciation for his life work before the inevitable does occur, whether they have met/know him or not.

I visit Guruji every day and most of our time is spent silently with little verbal communication. Simple notes/cards would be a brilliant gift to him as it would give him some stimulation and heartfelt purpose beyond what is basically an existence. Guruji does respond very well to the most basic expressions of love (don’t we all).

I can tell you that the family is taking excellent care. Guruji is home, he is secure and in no physical pain. He is bed-bound but does sit up most of the time when he is awake. He cannot receive visitors that he is not very familiar with as this does cause some anxiety.

Please pass this message on.

Cards may be dropped off at Alia’s.

Namaste,

Joseph

P.S: Please keep the cards short, simple & sweet, thank you.

“NYC Remembers Guruji”

KPJAYI April Newsletter

KPJAYI NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2009
Greetings from Mysore! This quarterly newsletter is designed to keep the greater Ashtanga community informed with news from the K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute.

KPJAYI SCHEDULE AND MOON DATES
Our Mysore shala is open and classes are always in session, unless otherwise noted. Saraswathi will be teaching Mysore-style and led classes. The application to study at KPJAYI can be downloaded at www.kpjayi.org/practice.

There are no classes on the following full or new moon dates:

Thursday, April 9 (full)
Friday, April 24 (new)
Sunday, May 10 (full)
Saturday, May 24 (new)
Sunday, June 7 (full)
Monday, June 22 (new)

Please also note that our shala will be closed from Monday, December 14, 2009 until Saturday, January 9, 2010. There will be no teaching during this period. KPJAYI will reopen on Sunday, January 10, 2010. Student registration will begin a few days earlier.

R. SHARATH’S 2009 TOUR DATES
Please check www.kpjayi.org for further details and registration information.

ISLAMORADA
Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11
Registration open:  www.kpjayi.org/islamorada.html

NEW YORK CITY
Week 1:  Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24
Week 2:  Monday, April 27 – Friday, May 1
Registration open:  www.kpjayi.org/new-york.html

SAN FRANCISCO
Week 1:  Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8
Week 2:  Sunday, May 10 – Friday, May 15
Registration open:  www.kpjayi.org/san-francisco.html

TORONTO
Week 1:  Wednesday, May 20 – Monday, May 25
Registration open:  www.sharathtoronto.com

COPENHAGEN
Week 1:  Sunday, August 2 – Friday, August 7
Registration:  www.astanga.dk

HELSINKI
Week 1:  Sunday, August 9 – Friday, August 14
Week 2:  Sunday, August 16 – Friday, August 21
Registration open:  www.astanga.fi/sharath

LONDON
Week 1: Sunday, August 23 – Friday, August 28
Registration:  www.astangayogalondon.com

BALI
Week 1: Monday, October 19 – Saturday, October 24
Registration open:  www.yogamoves.com.au

SYDNEY
Week 1:  Tuesday, October 27 – Sunday, November 1
Week 2:  Tuesday, November 3 – Sunday, November 8
Registration:  www.yogamoves.com.au

GOA
Week 1:  Sunday, December 13 – Friday, December 18
Week 2:  Sunday, December 20 – Friday, December 25
Week 3:  Sunday, December 27 – Friday, January 1, 2010
Registration:  www.yogagoa.com

SHRI K PATTABHI JOIS CHARITABLE TRUST
The KPJ Trust was set up in honor of Guruji’s 90th birthday to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged families and children, undeserved communities and the environment. We see this work as a great opportunity to give back to the local community in Mysore and India in general, and thank all of our supporters. 

To learn how you can contribute your time and other resources to worthy charitable causes in Mysore, please visit www.kpjtrust.org or send an email to info@kpjtrust.org.

REFLECTION
“Students should have faith in their guru and the yoga practice, then only the jnana (knowledge) will flow to us.” — R. Sharath

We ♥ Anne Nuotio: Ashtanga Yoga Practice Videos (Primary Series)

When you aren’t lucky enough to practice near a teacher, with other students, in need of some inspiration, or just like to watch, here is a list of Ashtanga yoga practice videos listed in alphabetical order.  By all means, if you know of a video that you think should be mentioned, let us know.

• ANNE NUOTIO
  Title: Anne Nuotio Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

  Thoughts
  This video is amazing!  Anne demonstrates the evolution of her practice with commentary.  You can watch her practice 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.  This is perhaps more for observation than for practice.  What is amazing is that you watch a body move through the different series and also that it is *gasp* a woman!  Her commentary is thoughtful and inspiring.  Check out Anne’s article over at Living Mysore…
  PS- Anne is currently authorized by the KPJAYI.

  Buy
  You can purchase the video at Anne’s website.

  Preview
  

• DAVID SWENSON
  Title: First Series

  Thoughts:
  This is a bit of a cult classic.  That said, there are many things in this video that differ from how ashtanga is currently being taught in Mysore by the KPJAYI.  It is definitely instructional.
  PS- David is authorized and listed on ashtanga.com, but is not listed at KPJAYI.

  Buy:
  Click here to purchase at our Amazon store

  Preview:
  

• JOHN SCOTT
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga the Primary Series

  Thoughts:
  People really enjoy this dvd.  It is instructional and inspirational and his accent is adorable.
  PS-  John is certified to teach by the KPJAYI.

  Buy:
  At our Amazon store

  Preview:
  

• KINO MACGREGOR
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series with Kino MacGregor

  Thoughts:
  We haven’t seen it, but the fact that it features a woman, and a fierce one at that, is enough to convince us.  It is our understanding that the video is instructional.  Be sure not to confuse this with her “A Journey, A Workshop”.
  PS-  Kino is currently listed as a certified teacher with the KPJAYI.

  Buy:
  You can purchase both DVD’s at Kino’s website

  Preview:
  

• LINO MIELE
  Title: Primary Series with Lino Miele

  Thoughts: From the trailer, it looks good…  This is probably great for guys who are intimidated by taking instructions from men who look like they have a lifetime of dance experience.  Not sure if this is more instructional or demonstration as we haven’t seen it.  But we agree that this is probably a good choice as Lino is the “correct vinyasa” man.
  PS-  Lino is certified by the KPJAYI

  Buy:
  Check Lino’s site under “resources” or purchase at ashtanga.com
  
  Preview:
  

• MARK DARBY
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series

  Thoughts:
  We’ve heard nothing but good things.  Mostly instructional.
  PS- KPJAYI certified

  Buy:
  At the Elephantbeans store

  Preview:
  None available
  
  

• MELANIE FAWER
  Title: Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga:  Primary Series with Melanie Fawer Certified by Sri K.  Pattabhi Jois

  Thoughts:
  …Tumbleweeds…  Maybe you can help us out with this one?
  PS- KPJAYI Certified

  Buy:
  In our store

  Preview:
  None available

• NICKI DOANE
  Title: There are 2 videos available “Beginners class” and “Introductory poses”

  Thoughts:
  Great for yoga newbies.  Can’t remember the difference between the two.
  PS-  Nick is authorized and listed on ashtanga.com but not KPJAYI

  Buy:
  You can purchase either video here

  Preview:
  

• PATTABHI JOIS
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga with K.  Pattabhi Jois – First Series from Yoga Works Productions

  Thoughts:
  Whether you plan on practicing with the video or simply watching, it doesn’t get much more authentic than this.  Guruji counts a full led primary for a class of “big name” yoga teachers  My how yoga clothes have changed!
  PS- Guruji is Guruji

  Buy:
  In our Amazon store

  Preview:
  

• RICHARD FREEMAN
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series & Introduction
  
  Thoughts:
  He kind of sounds like a robot but that aside, tons of useful information.  Rumor has it that when asked which western student “gets it”, Guruji repled, “Richard Freeman”.  It is hard to argue with that kind of endorsement!  Mostly instructional.
  PS-  Richard is KPJAYI certified

  Buy:
  Both videos by clicking here

  Preview:
  

• SHARATH RANGASWAMY
  Title: Primary Series
  Thoughts:
  If Sharath had a fan club on facebook, we’d join. Oh wait, he does.  And for good reason!  Sharath is the grandson of Guruji and has taken over KPJAYI.  If you can’t study with the source in India, this is the next best thing.  Sharath leads himself through a led primary class.  Read more at Ashtanganews…
  PS- Totally certified and come on, it is Sharath!

  Buy:
  Purchase the DVD at the Ashtanga Productions website.

  Preview:
  

  Do you practice with any of these videos? Which do you like the best?