Updated On: 22 December, 2018 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Suman Mahfuz Quazi
We speak to Sharath Jois, an internationally known teacher of Ashtanga, a yoga form practised by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, about his new book which captures his journey with the practice

Sharath Jois trains a class
How did Ageless (Juggernaut) come along?
I had been writing smaller pieces on a website called sonima to start a conversation around yoga. Then, many students started asking why I wasn't writing a book. We also had many readers who liked the work, and that's how it started. I have written another book called Ashtanga Yoga Anusthana, but it was mostly about asana practice whereas this is about my personal experience.
In the book, you talk about how Ashtanga yoga helped you overcome your illnesses as a child. Can it be helpful in curing or alleviating mental health issues, which many youngsters are grappling with?
Many do not understand Ashtanga properly because it looks very physical but there are other elements in it such as breathing techniques, which are crucial. I touch upon them in my book, too, where I have an entire section dedicated to them. Breathing can calm your mind and helps develop your stamina. You are only stressed when you cannot manage something, but if you get to the source of it, you can train your mind to be calm in any situation.