Here are answers to several questions we hear from time to time. If you have others, please email us.
Q: You refer to the word “Mysore” on your schedule. What does that mean?
A: First, a little geography is necessary, and then a bit of history. Mysore is a city in southern India lying southwest of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka. The modern-day lineage of the vinyasa system referred to as Ashtanga yoga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, begins there. This is because Ashtanga yoga’s progenitor, K. Pattabhi Jois, lived and taught in the city of Mysore. All modern practitioners of the Ashtanga system benefit in some way by his life and teaching. (Ashtanga yoga is today taught in Mysore at the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute by Jois’ daughter Saraswati and grandson Sharath.) Our classes are closely modeled on the way this system is taught, and has been taught, in the city Mysore – thus the class model, also called “Mysore-style,” is named after the city.
Q: What is a Mysore practice like?
A: To the unaccustomed eye a Mysore room looks like chaos – practitioners are starting at different times, moving at individual paces, getting assisted at varying intervals, practicing for short or longer periods – but it is a controlled chaos. A Mysore class is a teacher assisted class which allows students the elements of practice, development, learning and experience all on an individual basis, but with warmth and support of community. Students of all levels practice with one another and in close relationship with their teacher, and each practice resembles a private lesson within a group setting. In this way the teacher and student are able to develop a rapport. Imagine a dive boat. Everybody jumps off from the same place, but some go deeper and wider, some stay quite near the boat. Your instructor – here, your teacher – is a friend with special knowledge whose purpose is to instruct you in the depths and the dangers, of the pleasant and of the malign.
Q: I thought Mysore practice was just for advanced students. Shouldn’t I have the series memorized before coming to practice? Or, shouldn’t I practice before I practice?
A: Mysore practice is just that, a practice. It is not a performance, or the playoffs, or the opening night on Broadway. It is for anyone with curiosity and willingness. You do not have to know the sequence. In fact, beginning by knowing nothing can be the greatest of gifts, for that means not having to “unlearn” practice habits established in other settings.
Q: What will it be like when I start?
A: If you wish you may come in and observe any class on any day, whether you practice or not. Check it out and see if you think you might be interested. Your first day you will meet the teachers, learn where the bathroom is, where to store your luggage, how to place your mat, how to breathe, stand up straight, your left from your right. Since the other students in the room will already know where they are going expect to be cared for by your teacher for the time you are there, and to have any questions answered that you might have. Probably you will learn sun salutations, or Surya Namaskara. The next day you will come back and repeat what you have learned. Upon gaining some proficiency you will begin moving through the primary series. So, your practice will be shorter in the beginning and will build in duration over time.
Q: Why can't I just do the whole primary series? Why can I only go so far?
A: One posture is learned and added at one time until a practitioner gains proficiency at which time the next is added, and so on. This is so that excessive fatigue and exertion are avoided, and so, too, frustration. Our experience has been that those who progress slowly and methodically stick with the practice, whereas those who do more – but often to excess – quit through discouragement. In short, a good practice leaves one fatigued in a happy way and desirous of returning rather than dreading the next practice.
Q: How often do I practice?
A: Traditionally, the practitioner engages the system six days a week, taking breaks when the moon is full or new, and on Saturdays. However, when beginning a practice this may be daunting, even excessive; nor is a full daily practice appropriate for many heads of household, mothers and fathers. What we suggest is practicing as often as possible and making the practice serve the practitioner rather than the practitioner serve the practice. Many of our members come to the shala several times a week and also take some practice at home. We encourage each person to find a structure that works--and then we help them hold it.
Q: What is the led primary series?
A: In a led primary series class the teacher leads the students through the practice. Back to the dive boat: your friend with special knowledge takes you on a dive – follow me this way over here, follow me this way now, and so on. She counts each movement needed to enter and exit a pose, with the exception being the state of the asana, which is held, accompanied by breath and focal point. One need not have mastery over the entire series to attend a led practice; simply practice up until the point you have learned in the series. The led practice is not an advanced practice, any more than the Mysore practice is. It is simply a gauge. All are welcome.