--- title: "My Yoga Philosophy and Traditional Ashtanga Lineage" description: "Explore the traditional Ashtanga lineage and teaching philosophy at The Shala. We focus on authentic practice over performance, helping you grow in Delhi." canonical: https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/my-teaching-philosophy-lineage last_updated: 2025-09-21 --- # My Yoga Philosophy and Ashtanga Lineage Tribe Verified · Rooted in authentic Ashtanga lineage By [The Shala](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi) · At studio in Greater Kailash, New Delhi · ₹1,200 per person (estimate) Part of [Yoga & Wellness Workshops](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/gallery) Yoga is a journey of self-discovery, not a performance. My teaching is grounded in the authentic Ashtanga tradition, focused on showing up and embracing the process. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Get to know me and the vision behind The Shala. In this short Q&A, I share what yoga means to me, what inspired me to create this community space, and my advice for anyone new to the practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f11ec56a-07a0-45b5-b583-40c6128581de) - [Video: Wisdom from my Guru, Sharath Jois: "Don't try to see all these crazy backbending or handstand videos... Just do whatever you can. Every day being on the mat is most important." His words are a constant reminder to focus on the practice, not the pose.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e36679a-ec00-49ea-9097-d0a63e2481ab) - ![The presence of a Guru is not confined by time or place. Even in his physical absence, the essence of my teacher, Sharath Jois, guides and inspires every practice. This is him, sharing his infectious joy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/38d5c521-a4d6-4c25-96d7-596b78b53287) - ![A Guru is a mirror who shows you the light within yourself. I am forever grateful for the moments I had to learn from Sharath Jois, for his guidance that gently walks you toward your own truth.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2eb14a57-5d7b-47c0-a90d-29fe51900355) - ![Learning under the watchful eye of my Guru. His presence in the room was transformative, teaching us so much more than asana. He taught with humility, humor, and profound wisdom.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/77a47cf8-118d-446d-ba26-8cfe462ad203) - ![A moment of gratitude with my teacher, Sharath Jois. The gift of this practice that he has bestowed upon us is eternal, and his teachings continue to shape my life and my teaching.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9b126c9c-0bc1-418c-9deb-4212c846d66d) - ![With my Guru, Sharath Jois. His guidance shaped my life when I was completely lost, and I am eternally grateful to have been his student.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f4a1d5a1-3b5c-414d-87b8-7e39d0485978) - ![At a workshop with Sharath Jois in Pune. Every opportunity to practice with him was a blessing and a chance to deepen my connection to the Ashtanga lineage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f037458d-5000-44db-9707-aa25d7b3ee8e) - ![Sharathji has been a guiding light for so many of us. The humility and humor with which he taught made the practice transformative. He taught us so much more than asana.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e6546d86-11e2-4c12-aed9-f3cb80f184d7) - ![With my teacher, Sharathji. His presence shaped my life, and the gift of this practice he bestowed upon us is eternal. He will always be our teacher.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a0f38e95-e9bb-4da6-8901-21520c2af920) - ![I am eternally grateful to have been his student, lucky to have been blessed by his guidance and love for so many years. Thank you for everything, Guruji.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1d542c97-6665-46fd-8105-17ec33a289df) - ![On Guru Poornima, we honor the one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. Here, my teacher Sharath Jois makes an adjustment in Kurmasana, guiding students deeper into the practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9abffa20-b45a-4300-89c0-469b325ef2a5) - ![Guru is the one who points the way. I am forever grateful for the path that my teacher, Sharath Jois, has shown me. May we all walk on the path of light.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f4d3f05e-9f65-4bbc-9a6a-5cb07e11a651) - ![A moment of respect and gratitude on Guru Poornima. My teacher, Sharath Jois, has been the guiding light on my journey of Ashtanga yoga and life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9aed6d28-0ba7-4375-9073-fbccccca7071) - ![A simple reminder: The pose you avoid the most is often the one you need the most. Our practice teaches us to lean into challenges, as they often hold our greatest lessons.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/798554e4-a152-4af8-ad94-5b98676a3d5e) - ![Your mat is the one place you don't have to pretend. It's a safe space to be messy, to breathe through it all, and to let go of the masks we wear.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4ae44d82-04ff-4dd0-b09c-f61f2cd551d1) - ![Your yoga practice isn't measured in headstands. It's measured in how you laugh at yourself and try again when you fall. It's about grace, not perfection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5bfc33fb-c1bc-4ab3-89aa-8bc0c5a38e95) - [Video: A compliment to a yoga teacher does more than you know. It reminds them that the stillness they create matters, it refills their energy, and it honors the emotional space they hold for others to just breathe.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f018a7b3-8e3b-49cd-9a40-fd6e68070dc4) - [Video: In the midst of all the noise, sometimes all we need is a moment to pause, breathe, and reset. Every pause is a chance to begin again.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7b72c633-13e0-4262-bd8d-6be69f29255d) - [Video: Immerse yourself in the calming vibrations of The Shala. The gentle OM chant guides you to a place of peace, grounding, and inner stillness, connecting mind, body, and spirit.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/927e0355-0bfd-4c71-9999-d90d7536f8b1) ## About My Teaching Philosophy & Lineage My teaching is rooted in the traditional Ashtanga practice I learned from my Guru, Sharath Jois. But here is the reality of our studio: we do not fixate on advanced backbends or social media-ready postures. When you step onto the mat, we focus on the breath and your internal shift. Whether you are nervous about your first day or have been practicing for years, I am here to help you build a practice that feels honest to your body rather than chasing a perfect aesthetic. ### A Practice of Showing Up When I founded The Shala, I wanted to move away from the idea that yoga is a quick fix or a display of physical prowess. My lineage comes from the Ashtanga tradition, which emphasizes discipline, but I share this practice with the understanding that we are all human, messy, and evolving. You will find that our classes in Delhi are not about being the most flexible person in the room. They are about consistent attendance and the quiet courage it takes to work through discomfort. ### Why Lineage Matters Learning from my Guru, Sharath Jois, taught me that a teacher’s role is to act as a mirror, helping you see yourself more clearly. This is why you won’t find overly crowded halls here. We keep our sessions intimate so I can offer hands-on adjustments and ensure you are working safely within your own limits. The tradition I share is not just about sequences; it is about respecting the sanctity of the space we create together. ### What to Expect * **Traditional Ashtanga:** We follow the Mysore and Led styles. It is a structured way to practice, but it leaves plenty of room for your individual pace. * **Safe Alignment:** We emphasize understanding anatomy over forcing postures. If a pose doesn't work for your body, we find a variation that does. * **Community Support:** You are not just practicing alone in a corner. We are a community that supports each other, whether that is through shared breathwork sessions or simply checking in after class. Yoga is not something you leave behind when you roll up your mat. It is a way of living. If you are ready to stop performing and start practicing, I invite you to join us. ## About The Shala I am Sonakshi, and I created The Shala because I wanted a space that felt like home. My practice is guided by the Ashtanga tradition I learned from my Guru, but my doors are open to anyone who is willing to just show up and be themselves. [See all of The Shala's services](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi) ## More from Yoga & Wellness Workshops by The Shala - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/featured) - [Ashtanga Yoga: Start Your Journey](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/ashtanga-yoga-start-your-journey) - [Go Deeper: Workshops & Immersions](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/go-deeper-workshops-immersions) - [Heal & Connect: Breathwork, Sound & Circles](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/heal-connect-breathwork-sound-circles) - [Voices of The Shala: Our Community](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/voices-of-the-shala-our-community) - [Welcome to Our Space](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/welcome-to-our-space) - [Gallery of Past Events](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/yoga-wellness-workshops/gallery-of-past-events) ## More services by The Shala - [Group Yoga Classes](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/group-yoga-classes) - [Private & Corporate Events](https://mytribe.in/theshaladelhi/private-corporate-events) ## Similar work from other experts - [My Ashtanga Yoga Lineage and Journey](https://mytribe.in/sonakshidhamija/ashtanga-yoga-classes/my-journey-lineage) by Sonakshi Dhamija · Ashtanga Yoga Classes · Classes at studio in Greater Kailash & across Delhi NCR - [Ashtanga Yoga: The Path of Lineage and Philosophy](https://mytribe.in/sanjanasekar/ashtanga-yoga-classes/the-yogi-s-path-lineage-philosophy-self-study) by Sanjana Sekar · Ashtanga Yoga Classes · Online & Studio at HSR Layout, Bengaluru - [The Teacher's Path: My Journey in Ashtanga Yoga](https://mytribe.in/ashtanga.tanya/private-1-on-1-ashtanga-yoga-coaching/the-teacher-s-path) by Tanya Lymar · Private 1-on-1 Ashtanga Yoga Coaching · Online via Zoom, at studio in Greater Kailash, or travels across Delhi NCR - [Authentic Ashtanga: My Mysore Parampara](https://mytribe.in/sejalyoga/yoga-instruction/my-guru-lineage-the-mysore-parampara) by Sejal Gupta · Yoga Instruction · Online classes across India; In-person at Powai studios & Lonavala retreats - [My Personal Yoga Practice and Sādhanā in Delhi](https://mytribe.in/thesharanyoga_shala/in-studio-yoga-classes/my-personal-practice-philosophy) by SharanYoga · In-Studio Yoga Classes · In-person classes at studios in Panchsheel Park, New Delhi and Sector 43, Gurugram - [My Personal Yoga Practice and Abhyasa Training](https://mytribe.in/devenderyogis/group-yoga-classes/my-personal-practice-abhyasa) by Devender Bhardwaj · Group Yoga Classes · Online classes & at AumYogaShala studio in Gurugram ## Book To book The Shala, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Sonakshi%2C%20I%20was%20reading%20about%20your%20teaching%20philosophy%20and%20would%20love%20to%20join%20a%20class.%20Could%20you%20tell%20me%20more%20about%20how%20to%20get%20started%3F) You can also send your own message based on what your user needs. 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