Ashtanga Yoga with Sharath Rangaswamy
Photo of Sharath demonstrating
Vasisthasana
taken in New York 2002 by Tina Zymarakis
(used with permission)
Sharath Rangaswamy taught a historic two-week workshop here in Louisville, Kentucky on June 1-13, 2003. This was Sharath's first solo U.S. tour. Sharath is well-known to Ashtanga yogis for his accomplished personal practice and precise teaching methods. Sharath is the grandson of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, and Assistant Director of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. Sharath learned his first asanas at age seven and at age nineteen began to assist his grandfather at the yoga shala. Sharath rises at 2:00 am six days a week to be ready for students at the new yoga shala in Gokulum, Mysore. Sharath is the only student of Pattabhi Jois to have mastered all five series of Ashtanga Yoga, and is currently working on sixth series.
Workshop Events:
152 students registered for the workshop. An average of 56 students
practiced every day. Some were experienced Ashtanga students, including students who have
visited Mysore, and other students were new to Ashtanga yoga. Many students
commented that old injuries, even some that have persisted for months, went away, and they
experienced healing on many levels. Many students remarked that this is the most wonderful
event in the history of yoga in Louisville, and we agree.
On June 1, 2003, the opening day of the workshop, Mayor Jerry E. Abramson's office commissioned Sharath an "Honorary Citizen of Louisville".
Sharath held conference on Friday, June 6, 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the Beargrass Creek studio to answer questions. Questions and answers are found on our Ashtanga Page.
On Saturday we took Sharath for a cruise on the Belle of Louisville. Sharath joked that the next workshop will be held on board the steamer.
Rowland and Eleanor Miller hosted Sharath at their beautiful farm in Oldham County and took Sharath horseback riding on Monday. Sharath told us he had "sweet soreness" and had a great time. They rode on trails through the woods and later toured the farm where Sharath is staying. Our thanks to Eleanor and Rowland for all they did during the workshop.
On Wednesday, Sharath visited the beautiful Hindu Temple of Kentucky for darshan.
On Thursday, June 12, Sharath toured the Louisville Zoo with a group of students. Ashtanga student and Zoo volunteer, Gail Minotti, guided us.
Friday, June 13: When students arrived at the yoga studio this morning they were greeted with a pathway of flower petals and lighted candles. The studio and all the pictures of Guruji, Ganesh, the Guru's sandals and the murti of Hanuman were beautifully decorated with flowers and garlands. After practice, Yoga East presented Sharath with a shawl embroidered with the mantra Om Namah Shivaya, and the yoga students presented him with an Apple iBook laptop computer. Rowland and Eleanor Miller gave Sharath a CD of his horseback riding photos. Sharath quoted the Yoga Sutras: sa tu dirghakala nairantarya satkara asevitah drdhabhumihi, "Practicing everyday will establish a firm foundation. Then in your lifetime you will get a good birth. It's not possible to accomplish the goal in this lifetime, but you can attain a good birth in the next lifetime and keep practicing." Then Sharath blessed us with these words, "May everyone see God."
On Friday afternoon students watched the beautiful film, Ashtanga, NY, a documentary about Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and Ashtanga Yoga that was directed by Caroline Laskow and Mary Wigmore. The film showed events from Guruji's tour that took place in September, 2001 in New York City. Guruji, Sharath and their family were in New York City teaching a month of classes. The film showed the events of September 11, and how Guruji's presence in the city during those days was a solace to students in New York. The film featured interviews with well-known students: Gwenyth Paltrow, Willem Dafoe and Mike D.
You can continue your practice after Sharath leaves by attending our morning Mysore classes and afternoon and evening led classes. There are further chances to study with Sharath and Guruji on tour. See the links below for details. Or visit them at home in Mysore, India. Get on our email list for updates about our trips to India.