Stillpoints: A Podcast with Scott Johnson

In this wide ranging conversation Scott Johnson talks to Wade Oakley, yoga teacher, strength coach and long-time Ashtanga practitioner, about what it means to sustain a practice across a whole life. Among many honest, personal and thoughtful exchanges, Wade shares how strength training, injury and repeated trips to Mysore have shaped not just his body but his understanding of what devotion to practice really means.
Sign up here to receive Scott's weekly Sunday Inspiration Newsletter and receive original philosophy, poems, podcasts and films, photography, plus music to inspire your day.
00:00 Introduction 
01:03 When did you know yoga would be part of your life?
03:29 The fish and the hook — on being slowly caught by practice
05:41 What came before yoga — golf, back injury and the gym
09:14 Did yoga heal the shoulder? 
10:23 The early years at UVA — yoga, boxing gloves and John Bultman
13:09 Going to India for the first time
15:17 The spiritual side — temples, scepticism and what study does over time
16:26 Practicing with Saraswati — a supercharged window
20:07 How Mysore shifts your sense of what life can look like
22:00 The corporate years — management consulting, biotech and eight trips to Mysore
24:07 Finding your own way through the dogmatic wormhole
26:08 Thinking about longevity — why people stop and how to stay in
29:11 What curiosity in Mysore planted — watching practitioners who could float
31:00 The skiing accident, the knee surgery and what it unlocked
36:03 Learning to feel the body in a new way
38:38 How rehabilitation brought strength work back in
42:48 Building a stronger body and what it changed in backbending
46:18 Safety, surrender and what strength makes possible in practice
48:34 Is the practice still a sadhana?
52:49 Yoga, strength culture and keeping the yoga as the yoga
55:13 The sledgehammer — finding the right tool for the right nail
57:34 When practice becomes less physical and more spacious
01:03:56 What Wade would leave people with — turn towards the friction
About Wade Oakley
Wade Oakley began practicing Ashtanga Yoga in 2012 at the University of Virginia under Certified teacher John Bultman. He went on to study directly with R. Sharath Jois in Mysore, India across many extended trips, receiving Level 2 Authorization in 2018 and learning Advanced B before Sharath's passing. In honour of his late teacher, Wade strives to practice and teach in the spirit and tradition Sharath conveyed in Mysore and around the world.
As a teacher, Wade seeks to instil curiosity and a sense of personal ownership in each student's yoga journey. His own path has led him into deep exploration beyond the mat, across strength training, injury prevention, nutrition and recovery, areas he sees not as departures from practice but as ways of expanding what practice can hold. He believes an Ashtanga yoga practice can be a boundlessly enriching part of anyone's life.
"Wade is someone who I really connected to when we met last year after recording the Sharath podcasts. We really connected and I loved his approach to longevity in yoga. What I appreciate most is his honesty. He's not selling a system. He's sharing what he's actually found, in his body, over years of real practice and work. If longevity in practice matters to you, I think this conversation will resonate."
Scott Johnson, 2025

Episode 5: Shraddha Jois on the life of her father, Sharath.
In the final episode of Memories of Sharath, we hear from someone who knew Sharath Jois more deeply than any student ever could: his daughter, Shraddha.
Speaking with quiet strength and heartfelt clarity, Shraddha reflects on growing up in the Jois household, surrounded by yoga, devotion, and community. She shares the moment she chose the path of yoga for herself, and how that choice transformed her bond with her father, from a playful, loving dad to spiritual teacher and guide.
With stories of long car rides, private lessons, family dinners, and his unmistakable sense of humour, Shraddha offers a rare and tender portrait of the man behind the lineage. It's an intimate conversation about love, legacy, and the quiet power of presence.
As the Memories of Sharath series comes to a close, this episode offers a final glimpse, through the eyes of a daughter, into the life of a teacher who shaped a global tradition and touched countless lives, starting with his own family.
If you're joining for the first time, you can listen to Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3 and Episode 4 to begin the journey.
Subscribe, Listen, and Remember
Sharath Jois's legacy is woven through these voices in the stillness, in the laughter, and in the ways we continue to return to our practice. As we remember him, we stay connected to what matters most: love, presence, and the quiet strength of community.
The Sunday Inspiration Email 
Receive a gentle email every Sunday to inspire your day.
Since 2017 Scott Johnson has shared the 'Stillpoint Sunday Inspiration Email' every week. He shares simple yoga philosophy, music he's listening to, short films he's watched, People of Yoga film & photography portraits and his poetry.
If this is something you'd like to receive you can sign up here...

Episode 4: The Final Collective Memories - Stories from Sharath's Friends & Students
In this fourth episode of Memories of Sharath, it will be the last time we bring collective voices in one place. Over the four collective episodes , the memories shared have revealed not only the depth of Sharath's connection to people, but also how the practice of Ashtanga Yoga shapes all of us us in deeply personal ways. How it binds us together through a shared thread - connection.
The stories in this episode share a mix of humour, honesty, tenderness, and devotion. There are moments of being seen, challenged, and cared for. Together, these stories paint a picture of a man who could carry the weight of a lineage while still making space for laughter, mischief, and joy. Each story offers a glimpse into the profound simplicity of how he taught: by showing up fully, again and again.
In this episode, you'll hear from:
Peg Mulqueen, who remembers Sharath's quiet support through grief, offering steadiness and laughter when it was needed most.
Tom Norrington-Davis, who recalls the playful teasing and sharp precision that left you feeling both challenged and seen.
John Bultman offers a portrait of quiet sacrifice, deep listening, and patient guidance.
Rocket Kaleshu reflects on the joy and simplicity with which Sharath passed on the practice.
John Tattva shares the warmth of speaking with him in Kannada, the magic of the old shala, and life-changing connections.
David Robson & Jelena Vesic speak to the evolution of their relationship with him, from fierce discipline to unexpected softness.
David Swenson takes us back to the boy Sharath once was, someone who was full of light, laughter, and mischief.
Subscribe, Listen, and Remember
Sharath Jois's legacy is woven through these voices — in the stillness, in the laughter, and in the ways we continue to return to our practice. As we remember him, we stay connected to what matters most: love, presence, and the quiet strength of community.
The Sunday Inspiration Email 
Receive a gentle email every Sunday to inspire your day.
Since 2017 Scott Johnson has shared the 'Stillpoint Sunday Inspiration Email' every week. He shares simple yoga philosophy, music he's listening to, short films he's watched, People of Yoga film & photography portraits and his poetry.
If this is something you'd like to receive you can sign up here...

Episode 3: A Life Remembered, A Practice Continued -  Stories from Sharath's Friends & Students
In this third episode of Memories of Sharath, we continue to explore the life and legacy of Sharath Jois through the voices of those who knew him well. This episode features deeply personal reflections from long-time students, close friends, and those whose lives were shaped by his steady presence and quiet encouragement.
These stories reveal Sharath's capacity to meet each person with care - to see them, guide them, and trust them. Through humour, devotion, honesty, and sometimes heartbreak, we hear how his teachings lived far beyond the mat.
In this episode, you'll hear from:
Karen Cairns – A long-time student whose two-decade journey with Sharath was marked by quiet love, resilience, and grace.

Joseph Armstrong & Edgar Navarro – Sharing funny and intimate memories from hosting Sharath in Miami, including filming his final Mysore class.

Priya Jhawar – Offering a tender, familial view of Sharath through stories of food, mischief, and deep love.

Dominic Corigliano – Bridging past and present through memories of Sharath's early years and his growth into leadership.

Matt Corigliano – Reflecting on being seen and shaped by Sharath from childhood into adulthood.

Alexander Medin – A powerful and honest reflection on a friendship marked by both rupture and enduring gratitude.

Subscribe, Listen, and Remember
Sharath Jois's legacy is woven through these voices — in the stillness, in the laughter, and in the ways we continue to return to our practice. As we remember him, we stay connected to what matters most: love, presence, and the quiet strength of community.
The Sunday Inspiration Email 
Receive a gentle email every Sunday to inspire your day.
Since 2017 Scott Johnson has shared the 'Stillpoint Sunday Inspiration Email' every week. He shares simple yoga philosophy, music he's listening to, short films he's watched, People of Yoga film & photography portraits and his poetry.
If this is something you'd like to receive you can sign up here...

Episode 2: A Deeper Look into Sharath's Impact – Voices from His Close Students and Family
In this second episode of Memories of Sharath, we continue our journey through the life and legacy of Sharath Jois, one of the most influential figures in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. This episode features heartfelt stories from Sharath's family, close students and long-time friends who reflect on his life, teachings, and the profound impact he had on everyone who crossed his path.
Through these intimate conversations, we explore Sharath's enduring legacy - his kindness, humor, dedication, and the deep connections he built with his students and the global yoga community. These voices share not only memories of Sharath's guidance as a teacher but also a glimpse into the essence of who he was as a person.
In this episode, you'll hear from:
Sharmila Mahesh – Sharath's sister, sharing intimate memories of their early life together and his start in yoga.

Eddie Stern – On growing up together as students in Mysore, Sharath's role in shaping Ashtanga Yoga and his lasting influence on the global community.

Boonchu Tanti – Offering light-hearted stories of Sharath's playful side and love for technology.

Anne Finstad – Talking about Sharath's spiritual depth and how he embodied kindness, simplicity, and deep humanity.

Megan Riley – Sharing how Sharath's humor and support helped empower her practice and personal growth.

Deepika Mehta – Reflecting on Sharath's dual nature as both a strict teacher and a playful, light-hearted person outside the Shala.

Mark Robberds – Discussing how Sharath's guidance shaped his life, especially during transformative moments.

Wade Oakley – Speaking about Sharath's emphasis on family life and the balance between practice and everyday life.

Harmony Slater – Reflecting on Sharath's leadership and love, offering a heartfelt view of his influence on her own journey.

Subscribe, Listen, and Remember
Sharath Jois left a legacy that continues to guide us all. In this series, we share the voices of those who experienced his presence firsthand—offering a deep, human connection to his teachings and his spirit. As we remember Sharath's influence, we hold onto what binds us together as a community—our shared love for the practice, for each other, and for the path he helped to light.
The Sunday Inspiration Email 
Receive a gentle email every Sunday to inspire your day.
Since 2017 Scott Johnson has share the Sunday Inspiration Email every week. He shares simple yoga philosophy ideas, music he's listening to, short films he's watched and his photography and poetry. 
If this is something you'd like to receive you can sign up here...