From notes made at The KPJAYI Special Training for Authorized Students, given by R. Sharath Jois, July - August, 2010.

Much of the questioning was about asana alignment, adjustment technique, advice and information for the teacher. But there was also plenty that is interesting and amusing and of general interest. The following is taken from many sessions, and has been somewhat edited for clarity and conciseness:

Question : Are you the only person in the World who practices all six series of Ashtanga?

Sharath : (laughing) Yeah.

Question : Is practicing six days a week suitable for all?

Sharath : Yes. Let the beginner practice only three.

Question : Some students are very proud of their practice, many are very attached to their bodies and think of themselves as yogis, and yet they are not even vegetarians. I try to talk to them about it, but they do not like to listen. Should I continue?

Sharath : You must, it is very important. A real yogi is judged by his behavior. He wants to do something good always, and doesn’t want to cause hurt. Asana is very powerful. With it, one can become a demon, or one can become divine. We need to understand the true purpose of doing asana. But if you just do asanas, there is no difference between you and those who go to the gym. Beautiful postures does not mean beautiful yogi. A yogi must practice yogic principles in his life. Or you are not a yogi, but a bhogi (one who indulges in material enjoyment without restriction; one who seeks material enjoyment as his life’s aspiration).

Question : By the discipline of daily practice, will the yamas and nyamas (yogic principles) come automatically into ones life?

Sharath : First you have to understand what they are. For instance Ahimsa – non-violence is a good thing to do properly in your life. But first the mind must be made strong and that is why we do asanas because the mind is not stable we will not be able to do yamas.

Question : Did the Buddha do asana?

Sharath : Of course. The Buddha came from India! And without asana it is not possible to become like Buddha.

Question : Do you find it difficult to motivate yourself for practice without Guruji?

Sharath : It is always difficult to motivate oneself. But what Guruji has taught me will not die. His physical presence is not here, but his energy is still there.

Question : How come Gurujis led primary classes became so fast, 45 minutes sometimes?!?

Sharath : At the end, he was old. We have to be very grateful for what we had, even his presence in the room.

Question : Is it good to drink coffee?

Sharath : Not on an empty stomach, it causes too much acid. Drink water first. Then don’t drink too much coffee, just two inches. 

Question : Spicey food?

Sharath : Also too much acid.

Question : What about chocolate?

Sharath : You can eat organic chocolate sometimes. I don’t like chocolate. Guruji liked chocolate very much. Once we went on tour around the World to many places. By Sydney, we could hardly lift Gurujis suitcase. My mother and I decided to look inside it. There was 20 kg of chocolate from students!  Guruji did his practice everyday. And everyday he was smiling, telling students, “Oh, please come”. He was like a child, he doesnt know anything! Its nice to be like that.  

Question : When traveling, do you change your practice?

Sharath : Yes. Just primary, or half primary. If I am staying somewhere longer than a week, then maybe more. When you travel, everything changes. Atmosphere and mental state change.

Question : How to lift up between asanas?

Sharath : Build up core strength in the abdomen.

Question : I’m trying everyday!

Sharath : Eat more chapattis! (laughter)