Practicing Mysore Style - What do you need to know

Mysore Style:

1-The Mysore Style class is the traditional way to learn the proper Ashtanga Yoga method.  You do not need to know the sequence to start but if you want to have results and advance in the practice you need to practice the sequence as much as possible when you learn from the teacher. Ashtanga yoga is practiced traditionally 6 days a week. Five days mysore style, one day led class and one day off. Of course it's overwhelming in the beginning and I don't recommend to force yourself to do a 6 days a week practice. Take it slowly and with time adding more days in your routine.

2- In the beginning is overwhelming to remember all the sequence as given by the teacher, all the correct vinyasas and somehow we feel lost, disappointed and sometimes discouraged to continue on. Traditionally is not permitted to have sequence sheets in the class by the yoga mat and I think thats is the best way to learn because you will need to practice at home to remember what you have learned. Sorry Im old style :)

3- Mysore style definitely challenges not only physically but mentally as well. But no worries because with time you will memorize what you have to do and then your body will just flow from one asana to another and then you can bring attention to more subtle aspects of the practice (drishti, breath, bandhas)

Do and Don'ts in a Mysore room:

1- Mysore practice is a silent practice. Of course there is communication between student and teacher but there is no communication between students. Keep conversations for after or before class.

2- Students do not stop their practice to help other students (verbally or physically). Keep focusing on your own practice. The teacher will help students when its needed. There is no rush. Thats why Mysore class usually have a two hours time. Be patient and wait for the teacher.

3- When you can't do a posture properly ask the teacher to come and help. Adjustments are helpful to progress, understand and avoid injuries. If you have a question on how to do it, ask for help. Its a individual practice, use this advantage.

4- Keep your drishti! Focus on your practice.

5- Bring your own mat and a towel. You know why...I say all the time.

Remember everything takes time. Nothing in nature blooms overnight. Be patient with your body and with yourself. Never compare your journey to others. Practicing Ashtanga yoga is a very humble experience. You need three D's! Detication, Determination and Discipline. We don't choose what to do or whats feel nice and beautiful. We have to stick with a sequence that never changes but the changes inside are what we are looking for. Sometimes we feel we are walking forward 5 steps and then 10 steps back. Sometimes we get stuck in some posture and never move forward. Don't get frustrated. Thats why we practice together to help each other. The rest is practice.....

Namaste

Thoughts on the practice with Chris Paris Yoga - KPJAYI Authorized teacher

I am so inspired by Chris Paris thoughts on the practice of Yoga. I met him in Mysore March 2015 and a year later Chris received from Sharath Jois the authorization to teach the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga. Thank you Chris for your time and kindness.

1- Could you share how was your life before the practice of yoga and what leaded you to this path?

With some difficulty

I first was aware of yoga asana when I was seven or eight years old as my mum had a book and I used to explore some postures.  

I remember when I was fourteen I had a careers interview and I had my idea to be a graphic designer because I liked art and drawing.  Whilst waiting for the interview I was looking at books in the library and remember coming across light on yoga and Iyengar doing Scorpion posture.  I never thought that yoga could be a career at that time, or that the two moments may take on a different meaning in the future.

My life was strongly influenced by theatre and arts in my early days because my parents were in the arts.

Age 10 I bought the Beatles Sergeant Pepper album and heard WITHIN YOU WITHOUT YOU George Harrison.  I played it over and over and fell i love with everything india.  The lyrics are very philosophical and wonderful about their time with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Later around age 15 I remember thinking about philosophy, I became aware of Jung and the collective unconscious, and also read “the problems of philosophy” Bertrand Russell the famous Oxford philosopher.  

Then 17 I had a connection with the Krishna Consciousness movement.  I read Ishopanishada.

At 19  I met my Spiritual master and took initiation from him

So to answer the question, you have to define “before the practice of yoga”  which is not so easy.  There seems that yoga was always around.  But my formal engagement with yoga practice was as a Krishna Bhakta.  

Before this many small things led me to this.  Conversations, books, George Harrison.

Formal Asana practice didnt happen until 2002, which was 18 years later.  

2- Do you see Ashtanga yoga practice as a healing practice?

Ashtanga yoga as taught by KPJAYI ?  Yes it can and ought to be a regeneratve practice.  But it can be a destructive practice if not practiced correctly.  

I dont see it as yoga theraphy in the sense that western physiotherapists are a healing modality.  I think yoga is Holistic approach, so if the vital energy is strong and blocks removed then the body will naturally heal its self.  So we are not becoming obsessed with certain conditions and symptoms.

So healing yes but rather than healing I would say REGENERATIVE.

3- What are the main obstacles in the practice of yoga and how do you overcome them?

Attachment, assumption, false perceptions, personal ambition.  Illness, Practice is itself the best way to overcome these.  But sometimes a small amount of gentle practice is needed, a soft touch.  Not pressure.  But its continuity of application that is the key.

4- What do you advice to students that don't have a shala they can practice regurlary?

Practice in a group regularly.  Either once a month or every couple of months.  But connect with other practitioners and develop links with the community.

Also to practice at the same time and same place if possible daily, and develop breath as a priority before worrying about posture.

5- Sri K. Pattabhi Jois once said 99% Practice and 1% theory. Why regular practice is important and beside physical asanas what type of practices, studies and book do you recommend?

He said that.  But actually the philosophy and practice need to be equal and balanced.  But in the beginning there is no point asking lots of questions, most of which are answered by the practice.  I think that is why he said that.  He wanted his students to do more and question less.

Some formal meditation practice is very usefull after a certain point.  Regular practice develops mental stability and continuity.  That is important.

Everybody needs to consider Jiddu Krishnamurti.  His practice of radical inquiry is extraordinary.  I recommend THE KRISHNAMURTI PENGUIN READER  if you can find a copy, but anything by him is good if you have not met him.

6- Ashtanga yoga is seem to be a very physical practice. How can you help students to seek a more internal practice instead of focusing only on asana progress?

Practical advice to keep bringing the attention back to the Bandhas and Dhristi.  But also when talking to students, talk about deeper aspects of practice.

Also creating a Shala environment that supports internal absorbtion.

7- What teacher(s) made an impactful influence on you?

George Harrison

Bertrand Russell

Carl Jung

Tolkien

Erich Fromm

His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami

Timothy Leary

Krishnamurti

Sri Sri Anandamurti

Adi Da Samraja

My master Vijaya Tirtha

Swami Sivananda Swami Vishnudevananda

Swami Kailasananda

Joey Miles

Hamish Hendry

Goenkaji

Chogyum Trumpa

Patabhi Jois

Sharath Jois

Krishnamacharya

Haidakan Baba ji 

8- Any final thoughts on the practice?

All practice should be seen within the context of Sadhana.  Our entire life journey can be seen as Sadhana.  So practice and life are one.

Ashtanga as a specific practice as taught in Mysore is not accessible to all.  Yet some physical practice can be done by all and it can then grow.  The relevance of having a very powerful shamanic physical practice which pushes you though points of crisis, is that we can really move beyond many limiting ideas in the body and mind.  It is deeply purifying.  My feeling is more and more that we need our community to assist in maintaining our own practice.  This technique is on the path for some, but not all.  Yet everyone is on a path toward greater understanding.

More info at:

http://www.hatha.co.uk/?page_id=42

If your interested in talking to Chris about philosophy, retreats, or classes, or your needing cover or someone to assist for Mysore style, please send an email to :

mail@hatha.co.uk or call 07944 662886

Second Series - Punishment in Paradise

  I'm not going to lie to you. My practice has been like a roller coaster. Since when I came back from Mysore this year it's being difficult to maintain the same energy and attitude towards my mat, which is very natural I guess. There I had my teacher, the support of the Shala and the point of attention only towards my practice. Also the weather was great...plus the coconuts in the end of the practice! I can't complain :)
 My practice since India got longer but even when I got exhausted there I had to keep going. Not because it was an obligation but because it was such a special moment and opportunity to practice at the Shala receiving adjustments and energy from my teacher. If you are in the same spot I am or if you have been through this (Please I need your advice :) we may understand each other. Practicing the Primary plus a chunk of the Second Series 6 days a week is so tiring! At least for me....
 Then I tried to come up with solutions like " I will do only primary and second if I still have energy " or I will do primary in the morning and second late afternoon" or " maybe second 3 times a week" and etc........ and what I noticed in y body is my nervous system being unbalanced reflecting through my body and my thoughts.
  The second series or Nadi Shodhana its a practice build to clean the nervous system and this series is to challenge the nervous system using asanas as a false, self-imposed stress so that you practice how to remain calm and clear in the midst of challenge life situations. (Inspired by Kino MacGregor book)

  That being said I think is important to keep on going to create mental strength and stamina.Sometimes I wish I had only about a hour long practice instead of almost 2 but at the same time I'm thankful for my teacher to put me in this type of situation or I would never feel doubt of myself. My ego is really punched every time I had to do it. It hurts and sometimes I just want to run away from my mat but I choose this discipline to be the studies of my own self for self discoveries. Its amazing how this practice uses us as a laboratory and let us experiences ourselves raw and how it is.

There is no competition with God

 You probably have seen somewhere the moto " I only compete with myself". Well, this type of thinking and feeling shows more compassion towards others, but not to oneself.
 What I mean is even when one think that they are competing only with themselves, still have a competition. Roots in a rajasic state of mind that is attached to results, leading to create anxiety and a constant desire for the fruits of actions (results).
  We all want to become a better being, a better practitioner, a better anything you name... We may compete with ourselves each day towards this goal and sometimes thinking just in the results and not being fulfilled in the process.

" Obligatory action, performed without any craving or aversion by a man unattached to results - this kind of action is sattvic. "
Bhagavad Gita.

 One of the best gifts of surrendering to God, the Supreme Power (or you name it..) is the ability of trust. Performing the duties, your Sadhana and thats it. Finding equanimity in the center of ourselves even when life is twisted. And why worry about it? Everything made by him is Supreme Perfection and Supreme Love even when there is pain and fear.
 We do our Sadhana with love, dedication, devotion, determination and faith. God takes care of everything else. Offering the fruits of actions to Him, we create a state of equanimity and peace within.

Funny Ashtanga Yoga Cartoons

Yoga method by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

The words of Guruji. Very simple and yet profound.

The Process VS The Results

  Everyone wants results right? In our jobs, our bosses want to see results. As citizens we want to see and have results. Society want results. We expect results in our relationships. We want the things done in our time. Our mind is trained by generations to think and act like that. We are attached to results and we totally rush in the process.
  As yoga is my primary teacher I learned that the process is the most important phase to be lived. The results is just the consequence that we have to face without expectation. In the process we learn, we fail, our ego is little by little destroyed, because the process is a slow transformation that must be accept with patience and love.Our mind is direct to accomplish the results but not in the process. When we start to train our mind to live the present and in the process, we are living fully.
  In Ashtanga Yoga method is a very slow process of learning. There are different series of poses to learn in a formal sequence. We can not skip one to practice the other( even if we know the other ) because this method train the mind to accept the challenge of the process.  I have notice in myself and lots of students the necessity of perfecting an asana. Asana is just a vehicle to experience the inner self. While performing the asana the focus should be in the breath, gaze and Divine. Letting the ego go with the expectations for results. Experience the present moment even if brings pain, insecurity or fear. Being out of our comfort zone we start to see and feels things with equanimity. We start to train our mind to be in balance in the mat when we are felling good or not. Taking the lesson out of our mat into our everyday lives.
  One of the beauty of Ashtanga yoga methods is that you have no choice...It is what it is.... I can not choose what I like and practice. Every asana was knowledgeably put in a sequence by Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois.
  You go to a yoga studio and the boom of the class is the crow pose, headstands and handstands :)" Yes I feel in power"....and when you can not do it you feeI bad...and sad, because you see everyone doing, you see that awesome handstand picture on instagram. The asana don't make you became a big yogi or yogini...The process of learning and accepting where you are is the yoga in a pure essence.
  In the physical aspects when you focus in the process you build more awareness and strength. You are preparing you body and mind in a slow process for the result that may or may not happen...But who cares? Live the experience of the present moment.
 This lessons I take out of the mat to my personal life slowly also. We all have dreams,goals and plans to accomplish. Nothing happen in the time we want. We do our part, living fully with love, respect and devotion and God take care of the rest. Giving the fruits of our actions to God, detaching of the results is live in yoga.

Yoga physical aspects and beyond

   Yoga Asanas or poses(how we call in the west)is the third limb of the Ashtanga Yoga practice. I see the Ashtanga Yoga method as the pure essence of yoga. To experience the deep aspects of this practice we first start with the Yamas and Nyiamas. There the transformation starts. The third limb is the asana, what we generally aproach first in the west and most of the people think what yoga is all about. Yoga is a philosophy of life, which also has the potential to create a vibrantly healthy body and mind.

   Ashtanga Yoga, practiced in its correct sequential order, gradually leads the practitioner to rediscover his or her fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness - physical, psychological, and spiritual. ` In Ashtanga yoga method we practice an asana at a time until we are ready to practice the next one. It takes time, devotion and a daily practice. The goal is not to be able to do the next asana or posture.

  The goal is through the asana prepare our minds for the other limbs of yoga : pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (contemplation). These branches support each other. Asana practice must be established for proper practice of pranayama, and is a key to the development of the yamas and niyamas. Once these four externally oriented limbs are firmly rooted, the last four internally oriented limbs will spontaneously evolve over time.

  Sri K. Pattabhi Jois said to practice one asana 1000 times to make it perfect and at least 100.000 times to start to understand ourselves from that asana. From that point of view we realize how the practice its the main role of the asana limb. How important is to repeat again and again, be humble and learn from whatever feeling comes out of the practice. Everyday people create different styles of yoga, different names for the yoga asana practice.Giving to the student what he/she wants. The Ashtanga series are made to carefully study with dedication and devotion. We all get tempted and curious about doing advanced asanas,but if we just practice what we want or what looks cool, we are just getting attached to the asana itself and not focusing in the main goal of yoga.

  The evolution of asanas comes from Surya namaskara A and B ( The Sun Salutations A and B). It is how in the Ashtanga method we start. We also find called as Mysore style (Self practice). From the Sun Salutations on your own pace you open an space in your body and mind for the following asanas and psych and subtle levels. It is recommended to study under a guidence of a Guru or a authorized/Certified teacher. If is not possible, continue your exploration through practice and study and when the opportunity comes to have a directed teacher from the lineage embrace it! Studying from a directed teacher we call parampara.

What is Parampara?

Traditional Ashtanga Yoga is founded on the concept of parampara, a term meaning direct, experiential knowledge passed in succession from teacher to student. Our teachers have committed themselves to the instruction of Ashtanga Yoga as it was taught to them from the source in Mysore, India by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, R. Sharath Jois, and R. Saraswathi. Ashtanga Yoga and Parampara ‘Parampara’ literally means an uninterrupted succession and denotes the direct and unbroken transmission of knowledge from teacher to student. Traditional Ashtanga Yoga is founded on parampara and a commitment to its established instruction. Shri K. Pattabhi Jois took this method from Mysore, India and disseminated it all over the world. Guruji’s teachings are now continued by his family: R. Sharath Jois, R. Saraswathi, Manju Jois, and Sharmila Mahesh. Surrendering to the lineage of Astanga Yoga is to enter a river of teachings that has been flowing for thousands of years, a river that masters, past and present, have followed into an ocean of knowledge and wisdom.

Your practice is your gift

What brings to you inner peace? 

 I believe that any peaceful feeling is related with the Self presence in us and around us. You can call the Self as God,The Great Consciousness,Love,The Unborn,Eternal or the way you feel in your heart. Each everyone of us find a way to connect with God through something.Usually something very simple,with no price, label or form. We just need to look with another perception what really matters to our happiness and inner peace.
  First we analyze what it is by self study. Many of us sometimes have this empty feeling that we don't know how to fulfill our lives. Giving time to think and discover simple things we can do to ourselves that will make us experience life.

What is your practice?
  You may experience God through your art,in silent or in prayer,in the nature or in the church, reading sacred texts and during your yoga practice. I believe there are many ways to approach God and no one is better than you to know what is the best path to live on. There is no way to love one another and live in harmony with the universe if you do not live in love and harmony with yourself. The point is, we must to live and practice whatever takes us to this path toward something greater than us! Practice is not easy. You have to make time, effort, renunciation, detachment and so on... Our mind trick us all the time: I'm too busy,tired,angry,hungry..It is hard to make our mind still and listen the voice of the Self in our hearts. Every time we make an excuse, we stop taking care of ourselves. As soon we realize what bring us inner peace we evolve from that point,we awake and do not regress to the past or to habits and feelings that will take us further from our main goal that is be ONE with the SELF and be fulfill by His love.
  Its is very important to be honest to yourself to know the difference of having the pure feeling coming from the Self and the momentary pleasure happiness coming from the ego. When we act from the ego, our lower self, we have expectations in everything we do that lead us to have painful experiences.

 "Be focused on action and not on the fruits of action. Do not become confused in attachment to the fruit of your actions and do not become confused in the desire for inaction" (2,47). ********************************************************************************
"Perform all thy actions with mind concentrated on the Divine, renouncing attachment and looking upon success and failure with an equal eye. Spirituality implies equanimity."
Bhagavad Gita

How did I become a vegetarian? How to be a healthy one?

   being vegetarian.....

  I have been a vegetarian for less than a year, but feels like a long time now...in my body as well in my mind.The benefits in my body so far are the improvement of digestion, smoother skin and hair and also I feel more energy during the day. Pretty awesome results in a really short time.

   My diet option came naturally with my yoga practice. I was not a red meat eater but I was a seafood lover! Its is hard to detach from something when you really like and enjoy. I stopped eating all meat excepted for seafood, just because somewhere in my mind I had this idea that they are different of other animals, we don't use them as pets and I don't know much about if they suffer or not.

  So in a beautiful day, I went for a dinner at a seafood restaurant. The waiter recommended us to sit in front of the lobsters aquarium. Watching them was really powerful. Their legs and claws were all tied with elastic rubber bands.When the cooker came to get one, the lobsters all back up on the aquarium forming a big group, trying to be far away as possible of his metal tool. As he gets one, the other lobsters around and even with their claws tied, try to help their friend, trying to keep their body in the aquarium while the waiter pulls the unfortunate lobster up. After that, all the lobster didn't stop starring up looking for their friend and believe me, with a sad look in their eyes. This scene repeated for every 3 minutes for about 2 hours while I was sitting there. After that day I took Ahimsa in my heart and I do not eat any living being.

  The problem begin when we label everything and we see ourselves separated from others. A dog, fish, cow or a pig, independent of the shape, we are all made by the creator with living energy on us. As we start to respect all living beings as One, we live one of many glimpses of Ahimsa.

What is Ahimsa?

Ahimsa is the first of the moral observances on the 8 Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga. This is the first of the first. Where we begin our practice. The other limbs evolve from here. Ahimsa means non-violence or no harm.

The practice it can mean do not kill, injure or harm any living being in thoughts and actions. Therefore many practitioners of yoga are vegetarians. Taking Ahimsa a step further, we must consider how we are harming ourselves through poor dietary and exercise habits, sleep deprivation and stress.

How to be a healthy vegetarian? Sattvic Diet!!!

   The basis of sattva is the concept of ahimsa (non-harming). A sattvic diet avoids any foods that involve killing or harming of animals. Sattvic diets also encourage foods grown harmoniously with nature, and foods that are ripened and grown naturally. 

  In addition, the foods that we eat should be prepared with love and positive intention. In eating a yogic diet, we are increasing prana and a higher state of consciousness. Please take note of these suggested yogic foods, while avoiding foods that do not align with yogic principles. These suggestions are recommended for any level of yoga practitioner or individual seeking a healthy, spiritual path.

Foods to Eat When Following a Yogic Diet

1. Fruits of all types, especially those that are naturally sweet

2. All vegetables, except onions and garlic

3. Whole grains, especially oats, wheat, and rice

4. Beans, tofu, mung, aduki

5. Plant-based oils, like sesame, sunflower, and olive oil

6. Nuts and seeds, yet not salted or overly roasted

7. Natural, raw sugar, maple, molasses

8. Herbal teas, water with lemon and/or lime

9. Sweet spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, mint, basil, turmeric, ginger, cumin, fennel

10. Food prepared with love, and gratitude given before consumption

Foods to Avoid or Reduce When Following a Yogic Diet

1. Meat and fish of all types, including eggs

2. Processed and/or artificial foods, junk food, artificial sweeteners, soda

3. Animal fats, margarine

4. Fried foods

5. Canned foods, except naturally canned tomatoes and fruit

6. White flour, white sugar

7. Garlic, onions, spicy foods

8. Stale or overly cooked foods

9. Microwaved foods

10. Alcohol, tobacco, stimulants

11. Foods that are genetically engineered

12.  Foods that are eaten in a rush or in a disturbed environment 

 Its is important to do not force yourself. If you are reading this you probably have the seed planted in your heart for change. Let it flow naturally. Don't judge yourself and enjoy the path!

Namaste

Vrtti Sarupyam Itaratra

VRTTI SARUPYAM ITARATRA. Vritti= Modifications of the mind-stuff; sarupyam=assumes the forms; itaratra= at other times. At other times (the Self appears to) assume the forms of the mental modifications.You seem to have lost your original identity and have identified with your thoughts and body. Suppose I ask you who you are if you don't identify with anything whatsoever. If you say "I am a man", you have identified yourself with a masculine body. If you say "I am a professor", you are identifying with the ideas gathered in your brain. If you say, "I am a millionaire", you are identifying with your bank account; if "a mother", with a child; "a husband", with a wife. " I am tall; I am short; I am black or white" shows your identification with the color and shape of the body. But without any identifications, who are you? Have you ever thought about it? When you really understand that, you will see we are all the same. If you detach yourself completely from all the things you have identified yourself with, you realize yourself as the pure "I", In that pure "I" there is no difference between you and me. ...... Book one Samadhi pada. Yoga sutras. Patanjali.

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This sutra is a great one to analyse ourselves. With the detachment of the idea of identification the ego is vanish when we truly live the bliss of Ahimsa.