An Inspiration
This page is dedicated to the life and teaching of Sharath Jois, a yoga master and Ashtanga lineage holder. Sharath Jois and his teachings are core to the founding and history of the Contemplative Sciences Center.
In 20XX?, in a desire to alleviate back pain, Sonia Jones began exploring yoga. This led her to a life-long devotion to a form of yoga called Ashtanga that opened a larger world of contemplation and connection. From this practice, Sonia and her husband Paul Tudor Jones helped to found the Contemplative Sciences Center within the University of Virginia and the building in which it sits, the Contemplative Commons. It was the dream of Sharath Jois and the Jonses that students at UVA, and at other universities, might experience contemplative practices that would help them lead flourishing lives.
This page, thanks to the support of Sonima and Sonia Jones, contains videos of some of Sharath Jois’ teachings as well as background information regarding Ashtanga yoga and its place within the Contemplative Sciences Center.
Since its inception in 2012, the Contemplative Sciences Center has offered Ashtanga yoga to UVA students, the Charlottesville community and the general public at no cost. Every Monday through Friday the Center holds a daily morning practice. On scheduled afternoons and weekends we offer drop-in Active Series courses.
Popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharath Jois’s grandfather, Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic form of vinyasa yoga. It has historically followed a set series of postures and a standard closing sequence. Practitioners are encouraged to become adept at each posture before progressing to the next, and levels of difficulty are broken into six series. Mysore style classes allow students to practice at their own pace with the support of an instructor, while a led-primary series offering is recommended for those with knowledge of the series.