13/11/2024
Ekam, inhale. Yesterday, I woke up to the news that one of my teachers had suddenly passed away. For the whole day I struggled to put my thoughts or feelings into words - I still cannot believe he is gone.
Every trip I made to Mysore to practice with Sharath was special, but I will never forget my first in 2012 - “Who’s your teacher?”, he asked. I said “Darby”. “Good”, he said… and I quickly added “and now you’re my teacher”, and he smiled. When it was time to leave, I asked him if he would ever visit Dubai to teach. He said “keep coming back, open a shala, grow a community, then I will come”. I jumped in, heart first, opened a yoga studio, and did everything I could to keep returning to Mysore. I craved being in his presence, even though I questioned so many things along the way.
Years have passed since my last visit and much has changed in my life, but my love for yoga remains, largely because of his influence. I had hoped to go to Mysore again soon. I am heartbroken that I will never hear him say “one more”, “samasthitih”.
Fly high, Sharathji. Dve, exhale 🕊️
