Saraswathi has been practising yoga since she was 10 years old, and became the first female student ever accepted into Mysore’s prestigious Sanskrit College. She raised eyebrows as a woman teaching yoga in her 20s in a male-dominated world that is India. She met resistance but carried on in her mission to spread the healing teachings of yoga, particularly to women. Saraswathi broke further societal norms in the 1980s, becoming the first woman to teach classes to both men and women together in one room.

Saraswathi will teach led classes at Mission — both the Primary and the Intermediate Series, as well chanting classes and the all-important Conference where you can ask this matriarch questions about “first breath, then gazing, then posture,” about integrating a daily practice into family life, about Sanskrit, or any questions you may have about the path of yoga.

Experience practising and knowledge of the Primary Series is recommended as Saraswathi will teach the traditional Sanskrit count. For those who wish to register for the Intermediate Series, you must have a regular practice up to Eka Pada Sirsasana, and understand that Saraswathi may stop a student at any point after that if she feels it is right.