Carrying Ashtanga Yoga Forward: Navigating Grief, Legacy, and Lineage

When a beloved teacher passes, what remains? In this poignant conversation, Harmony and Russell sit down with fellow Canadian Ashtanga teachers David Robson and Jelena Vesic to explore how a community carries the torch of tradition through grief, transformation, and time.

They share personal stories about lineage, legacy, and leadership following the sudden loss of Sharath Jois. Together, they reflect on the challenges of upholding authenticity, adapting practices, and fostering community while honoring a tradition that shaped their lives.

Whether you are a seasoned Ashtangi or new to the practice, this conversation offers a deeply moving and honest look at what it means to continue walking the path when the road ahead feels uncertain.

Episode Breakdown

• How grief and lineage shape a yoga community
• David and Jelena’s journey through authorization, certification, and responsibility
• How the loss of a teacher changes the role of students and senior teachers
• Stories of vulnerability, growth, and learning to lead without rigid structures
• Reflections on community, tradition, and finding new meaning after loss
• The evolution of Ashtanga Yoga in a changing world
• The importance of Sangha (community) in sustaining spiritual practices

Guest Bios

David Robson is a senior Ashtanga Yoga teacher based in Toronto, Canada, with more than two decades of dedicated study and teaching. Known for his traditional approach and deep devotion to the Ashtanga lineage, David has guided thousands of students worldwide and was recently certified by Shruti Jois and the Joyce family following Sharath Jois’s passing.

Jelena Vesic is an authorized Level 2 Ashtanga Yoga teacher who brings a background in dance, discipline, and devotion to her teaching. She is passionate about creating safe, structured, and welcoming spaces for students while preserving the authenticity of the Mysore method.

Relevant Links

• Learn more about David Robson: Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto
• Follow Jelena Vesic on Instagram 

• Follow David Robson on Instagram

 

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