Mysuru has become the Yoga capital of the world. Hundreds of foreigners are being trained as ‘Yogacharyas’ in scores of academies. Till some years ago, this used to be a seasonal engagement, but with better facilities and improved civic infrastructure, Yoga has become a round-the-year industry.

Local industry captains say that Yoga has given a big boost to tourism in the Yoga capital of India. Hoteliers said they expected PM Narendra Modi’s Yoga push to prove a game changer, as hordes of Yoga enthusiasts from all parts of the world, make a beeline to join short and long-term courses in over a hundred Yoga academies and schools in all parts of the city.

Gokulam, a posh locality of Mysuru, is the nucleus of Yoga activities. “Though the pandemic affected the inflow of Yoga students these last two years, conditions are back to near normal now and the locality is full of foreign yoga enthusiasts,” said a shopkeeper of the area. From early morning, around 4 AM, one can see groups of young men and women, with bags, mats, and other paraphernalia, heading towards Yoga schools, he added.

The chief center in this area is the K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Institute. Sharath Jois, the present leading exponent of Ashtanga Yoga, is the grandson of the late Guru K Pattabhi Jois who gave a new dimension and popularised Ashtanga Yoga.

For many years, only foreign Yoga students were seen in Gokulam, but now a large number of Indians are joining the courses here. After completion of the courses and certification, many find jobs as instructors or open their own schools in their countries, a local resident explained.

Ashtangana Vinayasa Yoga, also called ‘Mysore Yoga’, is considered a modern version of Indian Classical Yoga, with a focus on energy, and synchronized breathing and body movements. The city, now an established Yoga Hub, earns substantial revenue from Yoga tourism, which also supports a large number of organic products outlets, ayurvedic centers, and satvik eating joints.