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The Mysore style of yoga practice is a particular way of teaching yoga within the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga tradition as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the southern Indian city of Mysore.
Mysore style is distinguished by the fact that the room is silent except for the sound of the breath, each student practices only up to the place that is appropriate for their ability, endurance and experience, The teacher teaches each student individually and new poses are given one by one in sequence as the students strength, flexibility and stamina improve. Hands on adjustments are often given for correction and to take student deeper in poses. Advanced and beginner students practice together in the same space side by side. Mysore style practice ultimately enables students to flow with the rhythm and dance of their own breath and ability.
In a Mysore class students learn postures in a fixed order using a special movement-breathing technique called vinyasa. The vinyasa links the postures together in the dance of the breath
It also teaches independence in developing your own self-practice. A student left to their own devices will often plateau or conversely in a led class will become dependent. Ideally Mysore style is self practice under the watchful gaze of the teacher, adjusting when needed, advising as necessary, and advancing when ready.
The Ashtanga vinyasa method is intended to be a daily practice. Traditionally, practice takes place every day except for Saturdays and Moon Days.
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Beginners are welcomed and encourage to join Mysore style practice.
The safest and best way to learn Ashtanga is arguably in a Mysore class. In this context beginners can be taught individually from the beginning making sure that they have a solid foundation in the basics before advancing.
There seems to often be a misunderstanding that Mysore classes are for advanced students. In Mysore classes all students receive one to one attention from the teacher and you will be given new poses and progress through the series appropriate to your ability. This way you will be challenged but wont be taken beyond your ability. For people new to Ashtanga yoga we require a one month commitment of at least 3 times a week. This is necessary to create a solid foundation in the Surynamaskara A and B. The first week we will start with Surynamaskara A and then the next week Surynamaskara B. Initially your practice will be less than 30 minutes but in time we will add poses and your practice will lengthen. In the following two weeks we will begin the standing poses and add new asanas as appropriate. New students are also welcome to come watch a class for before joining MysoreTokyo classes.
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Postures are given, one by one, but in a certain sequential order. If you have trouble with a particular posture, the teacher can offer you a modification that is consistent with the intention of the practice. One by one also means that once you are given a new posture, you practice the sequence through until you get to that posture, then wind down your practice with backbends (if appropriate) and the finishing sequence. The teacher will give you the next posture in the sequence when she feels it is appropriate for you.
- By the teacher
When you practice yoga in the Mysore class, it is important to wait for the teacher to give you each new posture. The act of waiting gives your teacher the opportunity to teach you the posture correctly and/or adjust you in it. Waiting also is an opportunity to express respect for your teacher and the practice.
- Adjustments
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In a Mysore class students can expect to receive hands-on adjustments from the teacher. If you prefer not to receive adjustments please do not hesitate to inform the teacher. Generally as a student advances the need and desire for adjustments decreases and in fact most advanced students begin to find them a distraction. Adjustments are meant to correct alignment, form and send students in the right direction physically and energetically. Students should not expect to receive adjustments all the time because this can foster over-dependence on the teacher. In the event that you receive an adjustment that is painful or uncomfortable you should always immediately inform the teacher. If you need help with a particular asana it is encourage to ask for help or to try to get the attention of the teacher. Please do wait too long to receive an adjustment, there is always tomorrow and it is usually better to continue your practice than waiting too long and losing your energy, heat and flow.
- Progress
In India, a student has only one teacher or guru, so there is no issue of which teacher is in charge. Here and in other countries, visiting teachers are often invited for workshops which provide a glimpse of what's ahead and often inspiration. A visiting teacher may allow you to progress farther in the series than you have in your daily practice. However, your regular teacher is usually the more accurate judge of the dedication and intention of your practice, so it is better to follow her instruction when you return to your daily practice.
- Commitment to the practice
The practice room is open between 6:45am and 10:00am Monday-Friday, however instruction starts at 7:00am. The Ashtanga method is intended to be a daily practice and students are encouraged to make a commitment to practice at least 3 times a week for a month at a time. Traditionally, we practice every day except for Saturdays and Moon Days. It may be very difficult at first to commit to a daily practice, and it often takes time to establish this. Regular attendance is encouraged, although a few times a week combined with a self-practice at home is sufficient. Drop-ins are fine for out-of-town visitors or others with an established practice.
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Cheat Sheets and Memorizing the sequence
Knowledge of the correct sequence of vinyasas and asanas is as much part of the practice as doing the proper asanas. If you do not know the sequence it is still ok to attend a Mysore class and rest assured that it will not take you long to learn. In Mysore class it is expected and ok at anytime to ask for assistance or help from the teacher, especially if you are not sure or clear about the next asana or correct vinyasa. It is better to wait and ask then continue by guessing.
If you have a diagram of the Ashtanga yoga postures, we encourage you to review and study the postures at home instead of bringing it to class. Over time, you will memorize the flow of postures by doing them regularly in class under the guidance of your teacher. You will be surprised how quickly you can learn the sequence on you own and how quickly you will establish a practice that is truly your own.
- Please do not eat 3 hours before practice
- Please bathe before practice
- Please do not wear perfumes or scented deodorent, oils (these can cause allergic reactions for others.)
- Please take 2-3 days holiday during menstruation
- Please Mention any injuries or illness to your teacher or if you become pregnant
- Please enjoy your practice!
- Please feel free to ask questions after practice or be
All students are encourage to go to Mysore to practice directly with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy. Contrary to popular belief going to Mysore is for all level of students and complete beginners are welcome. If you are planning on going please see a following before you go.
- If you'd like to attend classes at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore please print and fill out the application form here below and post to:
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois & Sharath
#235 8th Cross, 3rd Stage
Gokulam, Mysore 570002
Karnataka, India
phone: +91-821-2516-756
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- Forms should be received at least TWO months prior to your arrival date stating your arrival date and intended duration of study
- Please attach a recent passport size photo with the form
- ALL students (old and new) are to fill out the application form before coming to AYRI. Students who have not sent their application form will not be able to register at AYRI once in Mysore
- PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS SHOULD PLAN TO REGISTER AT AYRI FOR NO LONGER THAN THREE MONTHS OF STUDY PER YEAR
Registration
For more information please visit. www.ashtanga.com and www.kpjayi.org . www.kpjayi.org/practice.html or ask me directly.
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