Renowned yoga master Sharath Joyce, who guided numerous Hollywood celebrities in yoga practice, has passed away in the United States at the age of 53. As the grandson of Ashtanga Yoga founder Krishna Pattabhi Joyce, Sharath played a significant role in bringing Ashtanga Yoga to a global audience.
Born on September 29, 1971, in Mysore, Sharath came from a family deeply committed to Ashtanga Yoga. He carried on his grandfather's legacy after his passing in 2009, becoming one of the most respected figures in the field. Until his passing, Sharath was affiliated with the Center for Contemporary Sciences at the University of Virginia. He had planned to return to Mysore in December to begin a new session of classes. His passing has left his family, friends, and students deeply saddened.
Family members report that Sharath suffered a heart attack while on a nature walk near the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He is survived by his mother Saraswathi Joyce, father Rangaswamy, wife Shruti Joyce, son Sambhav Joyce, and daughter Shraddha Joyce. Among his many celebrity clients were Hollywood icons Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, and even former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who once shared that Sharath's breathing techniques helped her manage significant stress.