Guru Purnima

Today on this full moon marks the day of Guru Parnima, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois's birthday. What is a guru? A dispeller of darkness. One who brings us out of darkness and into the light. One who removes our ignorance into illuminating wisdom. It is a day to celebrate our teachers and our light bringers. Happy Guru Punima! 

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Photo taken in 2007

"Yoga is showing where to look for the soul -- that is all. Man is taking a human body -- this is a very rare opportunity. Don't waste it. We are given a hundred years to live; one day you have the possibility to see God. if you think in this way, it is giving you good body, good nature, and health."  

- Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Guruji. In Loving Memory.

Dear Guruji,

Where do I even begin to express my gratitude to you. We who practice Ashtanga yoga are blessed because of you. If it wasn't for your passion for yoga the world might not have been touched by the power and beauty of the practice you spread to almost every corner of the world. We are also doubly blessed by how you lived, being the example and embodiment of yoga exemplified through your daily living and commitment to the practical application of it even though your scholarly knowledge went far beyond what we could imagine. You touched people no matter what level of understanding they had and worked with what was tangible. Through that you have reached multitudes of practitioners around the world who ride on the energy and enthusiasm you ignited. Thank you. May your light continue to burn bright in all of us.

July 2007