Taran is dedicated disciple of the school of Ashtanga Yoga, founded under the esteemed guidance of the late master, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Her committed perseverance to her practice has earned her the distinction of being:

- The first Indian, authorized to teach Ashtanga Yoga (apart from Guru ji's family)

Born and raised in India, Taran has been blessed with discipline, focus, agility and flexibility. While she has been a gymnast since the age of 5, she was introduced to Yoga at 16 by her mother (a Hatha yoga Teacher), as a natural progression of her innate inclinations. Being more of a 'fire' person, she was nudged by her first teacher towards Ashtanga Yoga, which she found in Mysore at the Ashtanga Yoga Nilaya.

It is here, under the patient and watchful eye of her teacher and mentor, Sharath Rangaswamy, that she learnt her practice. Mysore remains a very integral part of her life's discipline and she goes back regularly for continous evolvement of her own practice.

Being born into a business family, she has had the good fortune of living fragments of her life in Africa, the United States and London. Traveling remains a passion and she takes it up whenever life presents her with an opportunity.

While India remains her base, she has taught and conducted workshops in several countries around the world.

Taran has completed the 'Special Training Course' level 2 with Sharath, to teach the full intermediate series.

If we Practice the science of Yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which yeilds happiness both here and heafter - if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental and spiritual happiness and our minds will flood towards the self. - Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta. The text was imparted to Sri T. K. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900's by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmchari and was later passed to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya in beginning of 1927.

Guru ji has been sharing his extensive knowledge with hundreds of students all over the world since the late 1940s. Today, his legacy is being taken forward by his highly proficient grandson Sharath and daughter Saraswathi.

Sharath is Pattabhi Jois's only student who has mastered all five series of the Ashtanga Yoga System and is currently studying several Asanas in the sixth and final series.

Ashtanga Yoga Asana

Ashtanga means 8 limbs. Each limb (aspect) is a method by which one can achieve a deep state of concious awareness. The asana system is characterized by powerful, synchronized breathing and movement (vinyasa); gaze points (drishti) and internal energy locks (bandhas)

Through regular practice of a precise sequence of Yoga Asanas, the body becomes felixible, strong and light, toxins are removed and blood cleansed, slow controlled breathing and deep concentration create credible focus and quiet mind, resulting in feeling of calmness and peace or union of the soul with the universal spirit.

Ashtanaga Mysore

The term "Mysore Style" refers to the way the Ashtanga Yoga is taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson R. Sharath. In such a setting each student is taught individually. In other words, he or she is given one-on-one lesson within the group setting.

Each student is given their Yoga routine according to their ability. The sense of the word 'given' in this context comes from how the practice is taught in India, where a Yoga practice is something that a teacher gives to a student as a spiritual practice. Ashtanaga Yoga is an exact and detailed science that is learned over the course of several years.

In the silence of the practice there is a calmness and this state of being is available to anyone who undertakes the daily practice -Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

why Ashtanga Yoga Practioners should not practice on the days of the new or full moon?

Like all the things in watery nature (human beings are about 70% water) we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon's relative poistion to the sun. Full moon occurs when they are in opposition and new moon when they are conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle. The full mun energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is the greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The upnashids state that the main prana live in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.

The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. apana is a contracting downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.

The farmer's almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest.

Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to the natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.

Magical Moon Phase Tips

Waxing Moon - This is when the moon is growing full. A time of expansion and growth for the individual. Good for gathering energy, building up, attracting your wish.
Waning Moon - This is when the moon is decreasing. A time for clearing away and letting go. Good for releasing energy, tearing down, removing obstacles.
New moon - The opposite of the full moon. Also considered the dark moon. Proper timing to start new projects, goals, spells or rituals.
Full Moon - The moon at its zenith. The full moon brings projects to fruition, and is the most pwoerful phase for completion of a ritual.

New Moon

Moon Days 2021 - 22

Jun 10, 2021
Jul 09, 2021
Aug 08, 2021
Sep 06, 2021
Oct 06, 2021
Nov 03, 2021
Dec 03, 2021
Jan 02, 2022
Jan 31, 2022
Mar 02, 2022
Mar 31, 2022
Apr 30, 2022
May 30, 2022

Full Moon

Jun 24, 2021
Jul 23, 2021
Aug 22, 2021
Sep 20, 2021
Oct 20, 2021
Nov 19, 2021
Dec 18, 2021
Jan 17, 2022
Feb 16, 2022
Mar 18, 2022
Apr 16, 2022
May 15, 2022