Manju Jois is the eldest son of Sri K. Patthabhi Jois. Manju was born on November 16th, 1944. At the age of 7, Manju was awakened early each day by his father to begin lessons that would forever change the course of his life and the lives of those who would study with him in the years to come. He began teaching at the age of 15 with his father and taught continuously for the last 42 years.

After high school, Manju traveled all over northern and southern India to give yoga demonstrations and teach Ashtanga yoga to his fellow Indians. He traveled from Madras in southern India to New Delhi, Benares, and Bombay and other parts of northern India. Manju decided not to become a Professor of Yoga at Benares Hindu University because he wanted to travel and teach the Ashtanga tradition. During that time, he also went to Pondicherry and demonstrated and taught yoga at the Geeta Ananda Ashram. Two American yoga students, David Williams and Norman Allen, saw Manju's demonstration. Williams was extremely impressed and asked Manju who his guru was - Manju sent Williams to his father/guru.

The two westerners studied with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois for several months. After returning to Encinitas, California, Williams invited Manju and Pattabhi Jois to the U.S. in 1975, where they taught a two month workshop to eager students. This was the first time that Ashtanga yoga was brought to the U.S.
 

Manju decided to stay in the U.S. and teach, against his father's wishes, and he has been continuously teaching on the east and west coasts ever since. Nearly 27 years since Pattabhi and Manju first brought Ashtanga to the U.S., yoga has become extremely popular and Pattabhi is now a world-renowned Guru. Manju's intention is to teach in the way of the ancient tradition and bring the many benefits of Ashtanga yoga to his students.

For more information on Manju, visit his website at www.manjujois.com