Direct Lineage from Sharath Jois

Shri Sumith has had the privilege of studying directly under Sharath Jois, grandson of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This direct line of study, teacher to teacher, in the same tradition of transmission that Ashtanga has always relied on — shapes how Ashtanga is taught at Manjushree Yoga Vidyalaya: not as a sequence learned from a manual, but as a living practice passed down through direct instruction.
The practice is rooted in an ancient manuscript called the “Yoga Korunta,” which Pattabhi Jois studied under Krishnamacharya. It is demanding form of yoga that synchronizes breath with a progressive series of postures. This practice produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.

At Manjushree Yoga Vidyalaya, based in Mysuru — the very city where this practice was developed and popularized by Pattabhi Jois — we teach Ashtanga Vinyasa in the same traditional lineage, passed down through direct study rather than adapted from books or videos.

Ashtanga Yoga Mysuru Style Practice

The name is very famous around the Globe. But what is Mysuru (Mysore) style?
It’s where practitioners move through the sequence at their own pace with guidance and adjustments from a teacher. This self-paced, teacher-guided approach is exactly how classes run at Manjushree Yoga Vidyalaya. Rather than following a fixed group tempo, each student is met at their current level — a beginner might spend weeks on the opening sequence alone, while an advanced practitioner continues building toward more complex postures, all within the same room, under the same close attention.

_Tri-sthana

This is the fundamental and foundational concept of the asana practice that emphasizes the integration of three key elements:

• Breath (Sound breathing)
• Posture (Asana)
• Focal point (Drishti)

At Manjushree Yoga Vidyalaya, this triad isn’t just explained in theory — it’s corrected and refined in every single class, since proper breath and drishti are often what separates a physically demanding practice from a genuinely meditative one.

What to Expect in Your First Class

New students typically begin with a shortened version of the Ashtanga sequence, focused on building familiarity with the breath-postured-movement rhythm before progressing further. Sessions usually run around 30 minutes for beginners, gradually extending as more postures are introduced. Mats, basic guidance on the Ashtanga counting system, and hands-on adjustments are all part of a first class — no prior experience is required, only a willingness to start at your own pace. Both Indian and international students are welcome, with simple registration requirements.