Via Mark Robberds: I was sent this photo yesterday. 2009 Purple Valley, Goa. Guruji, Pattabhi Jois, had died only 6 months earlier and the Ashtanga world was going through the beginning of its current transition stage. There was speculation that Sharath would stop teaching, there were questions of whether the old generation of students would support him, and there was an incredibly heavy expectation on him to carry on the tradition. During that 3 week retreat there were roughly about 70 of us and I remember that time so fondly because I was in the second batch, and I was learning the 3rd series so my practice was the longest, and I would be the last one to finish. He would sit with me and I would ask him to demonstrate different postures, which he would do. In recollection that was the moment that he became my teacher. What a lot of people dont know about him is that he loves Goa. He loves motorbikes. He used to love the freedom of riding through the wide open spaces there. Sometimes I feel guilty that I am a part of the weight of expectation on him to carry on teaching year after year. Sometimes I hope that he will tell us to give up our attachment to Mysore and take some time off from teaching. I would love to see him drive past me on his motorbike again with that look of happiness and freedom. But I also know that his sense of dharma and devotion to his grandfather and continuing his work is so strong that he will continue to teach. But I hope that he will get that opportunity to ride free again.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:00:02 +0000