Two Shalas, One Heart: Finding My Path in Mysore

Second Trip to Mysore

I was overjoyed to be accepted at Sharath Yoga Centre (SYC) to continue my studies under the guidance of Sharathji Jois. However, after his passing, I felt lost. I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. But one thing was certain: I wanted to stay close to the lineage. It felt like the only way to find clarity, to feel connected again.

That’s why I chose to practice at the Pattabhi Jois Yoga Shala (KPJAY) with Saraswathi Jois, Sharath’s mother. I believed that studying with her was the best way to honor the tradition and stay rooted in the practice, as she remains the closest link to both Pattabhi Jois and Sharath.

Choosing not to go to SYC, despite being accepted for the season, was a tough decision.

A part of me felt guilty, as if I were abandoning Guruji. But I also knew that I had a rare opportunity to experience Saraswathi’s energy while I still could, and I couldn’t let that chance slip away.

Returning to Gokulam

Arriving in Gokulam felt like returning to family. There was no need to settle in, I already belonged. The familiar faces greeted me with warmth, their smiles filled with genuine care as they asked about my twin girls, admiring at how much they had grown since last year. They even remembered my friends who couldn’t make it this season, their absence noted with the same affection. Gokulam didn’t just welcome me, it held my daughters and me close, wrapping us in warmth, love, and a deep sense of home.

Practicing with Saraswathi

Practicing with Saraswathi was a powerful experience. I feel incredibly lucky to have spent a month under her guidance, immersed in the rich lineage of Ashtanga yoga.

She holds the flame of Ashtanga with unwavering devotion. Her sharp gaze catches the smallest details of alignment, while her voice fills the Shala with authority and grace.

After her big loss, seeing her stand so strong was deeply moving. She continued teaching with an unwavering energy, assisting students in the most demanding postures: catching in backbends and Kapotasana, lifting in Karandavasana… It was impressive, almost unbelievable.

At 83 years old, even though she moves with difficulty, her presence remains powerful, she carries an energy so strong that it could lead an entire army.

And through it all, her smile never fades, always shining, always joking, carrying an unshakable light even in the face of loss. Her presence is formidable, her teaching precise, and her chanting still echoes in my ears.

Something Was Missing

Practicing in her Shala, I could feel the energy of Sharath and Pattabhi Jois flowing through her and through the space itself. There was something incredibly special about it.

And yet, deep inside, I felt that something was missing.

At first, I couldn’t put my finger on it. The energy was there. The lineage was there. But something within me felt incomplete. It wasn’t until I visited Sharath Yoga Centre that everything became clear.

A Wave of Nostalgia

The moment I stepped in, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. I could feel Sharath’s presence. His energy was irreplaceable. No one could fill that void.

Standing there, memories from last year flooded back. The early mornings, the discipline, the intensity of the led classes guiding 400–500 students, the deep sense of devotion in the air.

I realized then that my search wasn’t just about lineage or tradition. It was about him. His presence, his teaching, his way of holding space for all of us.

This trip brought new realizations.

The lineage lives on, the practice continues, and Saraswathi remains a powerful and special teacher. Mysore will always be sacred, yet no place will ever feel quite the same without Sharath. His absence is deeply felt.

Where Do I Practice Next Year?

• Should I return to KPJAY to study under Saraswathi’s guidance?

• Should I go to SYC and practice in the Shala where I first met Guruji, surrounded by his community?

The practice will remain the same wherever I go, but the energy will not.