Mysore is the class you come to if you want to learn to practice Ashtanga — you don’t need any experience — just sign up and come on in — we will happily teach you.
Mysore is teacher-assisted self-practice - an open format approach to learning and practicing Ashtanga Yoga - a set sequence of postures practiced with emphasis on mindful movement and breath. You practice with other people and move at your own pace while receiving direct guidance from the teacher that is tailored to your body-mind. The practice evolves over time with new postures added as you’re ready. Readiness is determined by your ability to maintain steady controlled breathing and meditative focus. We tailor the postures to you and it quickly becomes YOUR practice. This may involve modification of postures, use of props and/or substituting/eliminating some postures altogether according to your goals and needs. We provide an encouraging, non-competitive, non-dogmatic, community-centric environment to support you every step of the way.
It is appropriate for ALL LEVELS of yoga practitioner, including complete beginners - and it is the BEST way to learn Ashtanga Yoga.
Mysore is not a 2 hour class and you may arrive at anytime within the allotted window — you just need to allow enough time to do your practice. Everyone practices at their own pace. Some folks practice for 30 minutes and others for two hours — it varies according to the individual — together (you and the teacher) we can develop a practice that fits your life!
First time?
Don’t worry - no problem! You don’t need to know the sequence. You don’t need to bring anything, except yourself and your mat. We will work with you to get you started. We’ll patiently progress you through the sequence so that you can gradually commit it to memory and then as you learn it, we’ll add on. It’s the teacher’s job to be there for you to provide support and guidance.
Mysore etiquette:
1. Proceed to the front of the room and roll out your mat (quietly) in line with the others in your row. This not only keeps things feeling orderly, it also will help you and those around you stay balanced as you practice.
2. If someone else is looking for space for their mat, and you have some, offer it. People are shy about asking, and if you must walk about during class, please do your best not step on other people’s mats.
3. Make sure that your body, your clothes and your mat are clean and odor free. It is traditional to bathe before and after class. Mats and carpets need to be wiped down and/or washed on a frequent/regular basis.
4. Minimize usage of perfume, cologne, after shave, essential oil, etc. Just like natural body odors, these artificial odors will be intensified by the heat of the practice.
5. All props are to be returned to their original place after use and should be arranged neatly when kept near your mat.
6. Maintain basic, easy silence inside the yoga room during practice (except when interacting with the teacher about matters relevant to your practice).
7. Cubbies are available to store your belongings, please try and limit the amount of stuff you bring into the practice room. No water bottles in the Mysore room unless you are pregnant or have other medical need.
8. If you are a sweater, bring a sufficiently sized, clean and dry towel each day.