Le Maitre

One of the leading figures in the world yoga community, Sri K Pattabhi Jois, has died at the age of 93.

Jois, from India, was widely considered to be the modern founder of the ashtanga branch of yoga and credited with popularising it in the West.

Ashtanga yoga is based on synchronising the breath through a progressive series of postures.

The theory is that it produces intense internal heat, which purifies the muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins as well as releasing beneficial hormones and minerals which can nourish the body when the sweat is absorbed back into the skin.