Practicing Ashtanga the Traditional Way:
Mysore Style
What is Mysore Style Ashtanga?“Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man who doesn’t have strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can’t practice yoga.” 
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Practicing in the Mysore Style, practitioners will benefit from receiving direct one-on-one guidance from the teacher, and will grow in their practice with a gradual step-by-step approach respecting the student's pace in a all-level class. Students in a mysore class receive individual supervision and adjustments, much more than what is possible during a led (talk through) class. A wonderful way to start learning!
Teachers are thrilled to teach you - it's what we love to do. Great that you showed up! We don't expect you to know anything or balance on your head or make a pretzel of yourself. We all started at the beginning knowing nothing and we remember what that feels like. Those fears I had about my practice and knowledge fell away - they are unfounded and unnecessary. They were stories in my head, and once I let them go, I felt so much more free. Traditionally, Ashtanga is taught in the Mysore style: one-on-one. This is a beautiful thing: it's like taking a semi-private class, and pretty cost-effective for having time with a teacher. In Ashtanga we have the ability to build a trusting teacher-student relationships while being part of a beautiful community. Teachers work with students to memorize the sequence, to get into each asana (posture) in the way that works for each student's body. The relationships between teachers and students in ashtanga can be beautiful - they are built on trust and respect. Teachers work to help you learn it, to help you find your expression but teachers also give you space to move and breath on your own. Once you have the series in your head and in your body, teachers only intercede to help you get farther, or when you ask for assistance. |
Practicing Mysore style is the full package
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Physically: It is a very well balanced blend of strength and flexibility. Already after a week of practicing you will "feel something happening".
Mentally: Ashtanga prescribes a breath and a gazing point to every position - this is immeasurably powerful for focusing the mind and calming the nervous system. This plus the fact that I have the sequence memorized now - my home practice is so much stronger - so I am able to practice when I can't get to the school or when I am traveling. The yoga becomes yours - you internalize it and as a result, it becomes a much deeper experience - it is so far beyond a "work-out". |
Finally - just love. There is just something magical about it. It is magical because of the results I find through the discipline. It is magical because of the relationships I build with teachers and other impassioned students. It is magical because I am truly calm and centered through my breath. It is all of these things. If you are curious - just come. If you have questions, reach out.
It's always special to welcome a newcomer to this practice, and our school community! Since this is a very special way of practicing, a collaborative engagement between practitioner and teacher, a minimum commitment of 5 classes is required (no single trial class possible). |
Mysore Practice at our School
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What does "attending regular mysore classes mean"?
It simply means that you are responsible for your practice and commit to it. In Mysore (the city in India) and many studios around the world regular practice means 6 days a week. (You probably just wondered "Huh?", and that's ok.) As part of our mysore style program, you get the benefits of growing in your practice in a safe environment when surrounded by other compassionate students and teachers but it is required that you practice at least once a week in the studio (otherwise, the mysore practice does not make much sense) - and it is highly recommended to practice at home, too - You will notice the effects in body & mind. This said, it's probably most beneficial for you to come as much as possible. However, this might not be feasible for you. Best to start with a practice of at least 3 times per week, this might be once / twice in the studio and once at home. You showing up regularly on your mat, allows you to engage with yourself and explore yourself - for this frequency of practice is needed. While you showing up regularly on your mat allows for me as a teacher to observe your practice, really get to know your practice and thus, it allows me to tailor the practice to your own special needs and adjust it accordingly. If you don't attend regularly, this process does not evolve. Taking practice does not always mean to practice a full 90min per day but to show up and face ourselves - we all have different priorities and life events happening. The practice should be nourishing and supportive. Sometimes this can be 15 minutes, and sometimes the practice becomes more yin and restorative, depending on the needs you have that day. |