Mysore style
Encyclopedia
The Mysore style of yoga asana
practice is a particular way of teaching yoga
within the Ashtanga Yoga
tradition as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
in the southern India
n city of Mysore. There are some differences in this method from the usual modern way in which yoga is taught:
In Mysore style students learn the fixed order of postures using a specific movement-breathing technique called ujjayi breath. Through vinyasa, there is continuity via the breath from postures to posture. In the Ashtanga sequence, each posture builds from the previous – and prepares for successive – postures.
Each student is given their yoga routine according to their ability. Newer and more beginning students tend to have a much shorter practice than do those with more experience. As one gains more strength, stamina, flexibility and concentration, additional postures are given to the student. The sense of the word "given" in this context comes from how the practice is taught in India, where a yoga practice is something that a teacher gives to a student as a spiritual practice. In the West, people are accustomed to learning a lot of postures all at once – such as in a typical modern "led" yoga class. One advantage of the "Mysore" method is that, because it teaches yoga according to one's individual capacity, it accommodates everyone of all levels even those without any prior yoga experience; and hence the class is neither too difficult nor not advanced enough for anyone.
Postures are given, one by one in a sequential order. The structure of the class depends on the teacher being able to keep track of what every student is doing with a quick glance. If students attempt something out of sequence, the teacher is less able to help in the appropriate way. If a student has trouble with a particular posture, the teacher can offer a modification that is consistent with the intention of the practice. One by one also means that once a student is given a new posture, they practice their sequence up to that posture, then do backbends if applicable (backbending is the climax, not a part of the finishing sequence), and then wind down with the finishing sequence. In general, the next posture in the sequence should be added/taught/learned only after obtaining stability in one's last posture.
The Ashtanga vinyasa method – as is any hatha yoga practice – is intended to be a daily practice. Traditionally, practice takes place every day except for Saturdays and full & new moon days which occur about twice monthly.
Asana
Asana is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, originally identified as a mastery of sitting still, with the spine as a conduit of biodynamic union...
practice is a particular way of teaching yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
within the Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga may refer to:*Raja Yoga or Yoga, the classical system described in the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali *Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, a system of yoga developed by Pattabhi Jois...
tradition as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois was an Indian yoga teacher. He was a student of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, and taught at his school, the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, in Mysore, India...
in the southern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n city of Mysore. There are some differences in this method from the usual modern way in which yoga is taught:
- the class is not "led" as a whole but rather all instruction is one-on-one within the group class setting
- students practice their own portion of the Ashtanga sequence of asanas at their own pace
- the teacher assists each student individually by giving physical adjustments & verbal instruction
In Mysore style students learn the fixed order of postures using a specific movement-breathing technique called ujjayi breath. Through vinyasa, there is continuity via the breath from postures to posture. In the Ashtanga sequence, each posture builds from the previous – and prepares for successive – postures.
Each student is given their yoga routine according to their ability. Newer and more beginning students tend to have a much shorter practice than do those with more experience. As one gains more strength, stamina, flexibility and concentration, additional postures are given to the student. The sense of the word "given" in this context comes from how the practice is taught in India, where a yoga practice is something that a teacher gives to a student as a spiritual practice. In the West, people are accustomed to learning a lot of postures all at once – such as in a typical modern "led" yoga class. One advantage of the "Mysore" method is that, because it teaches yoga according to one's individual capacity, it accommodates everyone of all levels even those without any prior yoga experience; and hence the class is neither too difficult nor not advanced enough for anyone.
Postures are given, one by one in a sequential order. The structure of the class depends on the teacher being able to keep track of what every student is doing with a quick glance. If students attempt something out of sequence, the teacher is less able to help in the appropriate way. If a student has trouble with a particular posture, the teacher can offer a modification that is consistent with the intention of the practice. One by one also means that once a student is given a new posture, they practice their sequence up to that posture, then do backbends if applicable (backbending is the climax, not a part of the finishing sequence), and then wind down with the finishing sequence. In general, the next posture in the sequence should be added/taught/learned only after obtaining stability in one's last posture.
The Ashtanga vinyasa method – as is any hatha yoga practice – is intended to be a daily practice. Traditionally, practice takes place every day except for Saturdays and full & new moon days which occur about twice monthly.