Maty Ezraty, a pioneer and influential teacher of yoga, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 55 in Tokyo, Japan. Her death has shocked and saddened the yoga community around the world, as she was widely respected and admired for her dedication, passion and wisdom. What was the cause of her death? How did she impact the yoga world? Here is what we know so far.
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A Sudden and Mysterious Death
Maty Ezraty was in Tokyo teaching at Yoga Tree, a yoga studio that she had visited several times before. According to Yoga Tree, she died of “natural causes” in her sleep on July 9, 2019. Her partner, Chuck Miller, said on his Facebook page that she died unexpectedly and that the cause was unknown. He also asked for privacy and respect for her family and friends.
The exact cause of her death has not been confirmed by any official source. However, some reports have speculated that she may have died from a brain aneurysm. A brain aneurysm is a bulge or weakness in a blood vessel in the brain that can rupture and cause bleeding. It can be fatal if not treated quickly. Some of the symptoms of a brain aneurysm include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness and loss of consciousness.
A Pioneer and Influential Teacher of Yoga
Maty Ezraty was born in Israel and moved to Los Angeles when she was 15 years old. She started practicing yoga in her 20s and studied under several teachers, most notably Dona Holleman, Gabriella Giubilaro and Pattabhi Jois. She became one of the first women to practice and teach Ashtanga yoga, a rigorous and dynamic style of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses.
In 1987, she founded YogaWorks with Chuck Miller and Alan Finger. YogaWorks is one of the most successful and influential yoga studios in the US, with locations across the country. YogaWorks offers different styles of yoga, such as Iyengar, Vinyasa, Hatha and Restorative. It also has a renowned teacher training program that has produced many prominent yoga teachers.
Maty Ezraty sold YogaWorks in 2004 but continued to teach yoga around the world. She was known for her sharp eye, incisive teaching style and profound knowledge of yoga. She challenged her students to go beyond their comfort zones and to explore their potential. She also had a warm heart, a generous spirit and a sense of humor. She touched the lives of many people with her teachings and inspired them to grow as yogis and as human beings.
A Legacy That Lives On
Maty Ezraty’s death has left a void in the yoga world that will be hard to fill. She was a trailblazer, a leader and a mentor for many yogis. She also contributed to the evolution and dissemination of yoga in the West and beyond. Her legacy lives on through her students, her teachings and her impact on the yoga community.
Many yogis have expressed their grief, gratitude and admiration for Maty Ezraty on social media and other platforms. They have shared their memories, stories and lessons learned from her. They have also honored her by dedicating their practice, their classes and their events to her.
Maty Ezraty’s life was a testament to the power and beauty of yoga. She embodied the principles of yoga in her actions, words and thoughts. She was a true yogi who lived with passion, purpose and grace. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
