When Was Ashtanga Yoga Created? A Deep Dive into Its Origins and Evolution

Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most structured and disciplined styles of yoga, practiced by thousands of students worldwide. But when was Ashtanga Yoga created? And how did it evolve into the system we know today?

The origins of Ashtanga Yoga can be traced back to ancient yogic traditions, but the modern practice was systematized in the 20th century by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. His teachings, based on ancient manuscripts and personal practice, helped shape Ashtanga into the dynamic, breath-focused practice it is today.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of Ashtanga Yoga, from its ancient roots to its development in Mysore, India, and its global rise in popularity.

The Ancient Roots of Ashtanga Yoga

Although Ashtanga Yoga, as we know it today, was formalized in the 20th century, its roots stretch back thousands of years. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written between 200 BCE and 400 CE, first outlined the concept of the "Eight Limbs of Yoga" (Ashta-Anga Yoga). These eight limbs provide a philosophical framework for yoga practice, covering ethical guidelines, breath control, meditation, and spiritual enlightenment.

However, the physical postures (asanas) associated with modern Ashtanga were not detailed in the Yoga Sutras. Instead, early yoga focused more on meditation and breath control (pranayama) rather than dynamic movement. The evolution of asanas as a structured practice came much later.

The Influence of the Yoga Korunta Manuscript

The foundation of Ashtanga Yoga’s set sequences and vinyasa (breath-linked movement) is said to come from an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta. According to Pattabhi Jois, this manuscript contained detailed instructions on sequences of asanas, breathing techniques, and bandhas (energy locks).

The Yoga Korunta was reportedly passed down orally before being written on palm leaves. Sri T. Krishnamacharya, one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century, claimed to have studied this text while learning from his guru, Rama Mohan Brahmachari, in the early 1900s. Krishnamacharya later shared this knowledge with his students, including Pattabhi Jois, who would go on to systematize it into the Ashtanga Yoga method.

However, the original Yoga Korunta manuscript was lost, and no copies remain today. Some scholars debate whether the text ever existed or if it was a mythological origin story used to validate the system. Regardless of its authenticity, the Ashtanga method remains a powerful and structured system that has stood the test of time.

When Was Modern Ashtanga Yoga Created?

The modern system of Ashtanga Yoga was formally established in the 1930s by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. Pattabhi Jois, a devoted student of Krishnamacharya, began learning and refining the sequences in the late 1920s.

By 1948, Pattabhi Jois founded the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, where he began teaching the method to students. This was the birth of Ashtanga Yoga as a structured, disciplined system.

The Key Features of Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga Yoga

Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga system follows a structured format with:

• Set sequences of postures divided into the Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced Series

• Vinyasa (breath-linked movement) creating a flowing, dynamic practice

• Ujjayi breathing, Drishti (gaze points), and Bandhas (energy locks) to deepen the practice

• A Mysore-style approach, where students practice at their own pace under a teacher’s guidance

This system was different from other yoga styles at the time, which were often less structured and more meditative. The athletic, breath-focused approach of Ashtanga helped shape the evolution of modern yoga, influencing styles like Power Yoga and Vinyasa Flow.

The Global Rise of Ashtanga Yoga (1970s–Present)

Ashtanga Yoga remained relatively unknown outside India until the 1970s, when Western students began traveling to Mysore to study under Pattabhi Jois. Some of the key figures who helped popularize Ashtanga worldwide include:

• David Williams and Nancy Gilgoff – Among the first Western students to study with Pattabhi Jois in Mysore in the early 1970s. They later introduced Ashtanga Yoga to the U.S.

• Richard Freeman, Eddie Stern, and Tim Miller – Pioneers in bringing Ashtanga Yoga to a global audience.

• Sharath Jois – Pattabhi Jois' grandson, who continued to teach and lead the tradition at the Sharath Yoga Centre (formerly KPJAYI) in Mysore.

By the 1990s and early 2000s, Ashtanga had become one of the most respected and influential yoga styles worldwide, inspiring thousands of practitioners and teachers.

A Time of Transition: The Passing of Sharath Jois

In November 2024, the Ashtanga Yoga community faced a significant loss with the passing of Sharath Jois at the age of 53. As the grandson and successor of Pattabhi Jois, Sharath had dedicated his life to preserving and teaching the traditional Ashtanga method. His death came as a shock to the Ashtanga world, leaving a void in the lineage.

For many years, students had traveled to Mysore to study directly under Sharath, making his passing a deeply emotional and transitional period for the Ashtanga community. In the years following, Ashtanga Yoga has slowly been finding its path forward. Teachers and practitioners worldwide continue to uphold the tradition, ensuring that Ashtanga remains a living and evolving practice while honoring the legacy of those who shaped it.

Final Thoughts: The Evolution of Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga has a rich history, blending ancient yogic traditions with a structured, modern approach developed in the 1930s by Pattabhi Jois. While its roots trace back to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the legendary Yoga Korunta, its systematic sequences and vinyasa method emerged in the 20th century in Mysore, India.

Today, Ashtanga Yoga remains a powerful, transformative practice, attracting students worldwide who seek strength, discipline, and inner awareness. Despite the transitions and losses over the years, the practice continues to evolve, guided by teachers dedicated to keeping the tradition alive.

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