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

Focus on your journey

  When an idea, a desire or goal is created into the mind is like planting a seed into the ground. Imagine your favorite flower or tree to plant. We already feel excited to see this planting growing and having shapes and also hopefully giving fruits. We care, give proper conditions of soil, water and sunlight as need it. We wait the seed to sprout and the flower to blossom. The flower blooms its own time. I remember when I was a kid I tried forcing to open a flower to blossom before time and the flower end up being destroyed, then the I realized that even trying to "help" them to bloom I ended up destroying the flower and it was weak and not as beautiful like the others. I like to use sometimes lessons from nature itself to help myself and others to understand our own nature.
  Just like in Yoga practice, we can not force it to happen. It will happen through you and it's own time the changes in the physical, psychological and spiritual body. Sometimes yoga practitioners ask each other: How long have you been practicing yoga? How long it took you to do this deep fold? How long it will take me to do a handstand? People are inclined to compare their journey with others people's journey. If you focus in other practitioner or teacher practice you will never be fully with yourself. You will miss little moments of growth. The practice of yoga teach us to be with ourselves and embrace our bad and our good. Don't miss this opportunity. Be inspired but don't worry. Focus on your journey. Some people also think and ask when they will be able to cure their injuries and pains or how much long they need to practice to attain peace and happiness. There is no straight answer for that. Physical injuries and pain need to be treated with love and patience as the same when the heart is broken and the mind is confused. The practice of Yoga will not cure yourself but it will be like a mirror that will reveal your true self and give you answers and options for self healing. That's why we can't compare our journey to others because what may work for me maybe it will not work for you and vice-versa.
  Surrender is all what I can think about it. Direct your mind, thoughts, insecurities and questions to God or a Supreme power you believe that's is stronger than anything you know. Give time to yourself to bloom, to open and to receive grace. The doors of healing are open but are you able to walk the long path?
May you find peace.
Namaste

Ashtanga and Pregnancy - Second Trimester

Hello everyone!
 Lots of people are asking me how is my practicing going, if I still have my regular practice and how I feel about it. So here we go...
 I'm almost on my 5th month pregnant and I definitely feel much better than my first trimester. I do still practice Ashtanga yoga (some days the practice is shorter than others, or an extra day off), but now with a bigger belly I need to modified postures and also excluded some asanas of my daily practice. I can not forward fold as deep as before because of my bigger belly, I can't do deep twisting postures and I also avoid some back bending postures of the second series where I need to lay belly flat down. But Im thinking some ways where I can make a special prop for my belly...we will see ;)
 I also feel I lost connection between the legs with the upper body, because I can not activate my core muscles like before anymore, uddhiyana bandha is gone, so vinyasas are in a totally another level now. They are very basic, mostly walking back and through, sometimes I jump through but as I said before is hard because there is no core integration in the body by this point. Somehow I feel totally as a beginner in my practice, discovering and rediscovering new approaches to the changes occurring in my body.
 For most of Ashtanga practitioners is all or nothing so the change in practice can give a big impact in the mind. In the very beginning was a little weird to feel the changes in my body but now is a very natural reality. Everyday my body is changing and Im totally okay with that. My practice now feels more meditative and I feel I rediscover my breath in a more deeper way which feels great.
 Other thing I changed in my routine is to eat something before practicing. Traditionally the practice is done on empty stomach for the purification process occur nice and easy. Now Im more about nourishing my body instead of focusing in purification of my system. So far this pregnancy is teaching me deep lessons of impermanence and detachment and also is a ego smasher which for me is really important for my understanding of life an death.
 The practice of yoga (any style) is to make ourselves to feel good, the mind balanced, the heart calm and a sense of peace that is not affect by external situations. The more I practice and teach I see that does not matter which level of asana practice you are, what can you do with your legs or arms. If you see yoga just as contortion or balancing on the hands is better to go for an acrobatic/circus training. Do not compete with others or yourself, always approach the practice in a humble way. There is a place to be accessed during practice, a special and sacred space to connect with the Divine that lives within. In the end thats whats matter.
Shanti Shanti Shanti

Mysore experience - Ashtanga Parampara

 ***This is my personal journey into the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. In this post I will share with you how I started and my journey to India. I guess it will help people that never have been there to know a little bit of what's going on in Mysore.

  During my Yoga Teaching Training in U.S based in Vinyasa Yoga (2012) we were studying the styles that the students of Krishnamacharya were bringing to the West, and of course Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga were high topics. One day a dedicated student of Ashtanga yoga came to introduce us some of the Primary Series asanas and talk to us some the most important aspects of the practice. I remember was the class I most enjoyed even with all the difficulty of the movements. The same day at night we got together and watched Ashtanga Yoga NY, when Pattabhi Jois came to U.S for led classes. I remember I got goosebumps on my entire body and I was amazed by the movements. But not only that I was amazed by the students dedication and all the yoga philosophy behind the asanas. That day I decided I would practice Ashtanga Yoga.
  I was living in a small town and I didn't have any Ashtanga place or teacher or even an experienced practitioner to practice with. I started practicing on my own, studying materials from David Swenson book. I was very excited in learning this practice. Then I heard from my Vinyasa teacher that Sharath Jois and his mother Saraswathi would be in NY next year in April (2013) for led classes. I didn't think twice and I signed up to go. After my first class I feel baptized. A feeling of happiness and contentment was all over, around and inside my being and at that moment I knew that practice was something I should pursuit. After almost a week in NY, I came back feeling energized and slowly found friends to practice together. I started traveling around, trying different teachers, going to workshops and soaking in as much as possible. After trying many teachers, I found it was important to "try" to keep going to the same one over and over, to create and have a student-teacher relationship.
  Some people practice for fun and only as a exercise, and that's is completely fine. Other students wants to go more into the spiritual roots and know where it came from, the guru and etc... I felt a spiritual connection with this practice and with my teacher in which I accepted him in the first day I met in  April 2013. I decided I need to go to Mysore and I went. Lots of people ask how is to practice there, how is to study at KPJAYI, so here are some tips about it. Also remember this is my point of view'

1- If you feel going to Mysore, just go. Any experience you have from there it will be valid.
2- If you are new to the practice, it's recommended to practice with Saraswathi. Her shala is smaller and she has less number of students. She is great! Very lovely and she is known to teach just like her father Guruji. Im so happy I had the opportunity to practice under her guidance. She is getting old so it's good to study with her before she retires.
3- There is a new rule now to practice with Sharath Jois. Its needed to practice with an authorized or certified teacher for at least 3 months. A list of authorized and certified teachers is available at KPJAYI website.
4- If you are a western practitioner and study at any Shala and goes to workshops don't go to Mysore with the mentality you will get all the help, techniques and adjustments in the postures. You will not be adjusted there like we do here. They do adjust and help in asanas in which is really hard for us but not  the luxury adjustments we get in the west. Here we have this mentally to give the student opportunity to go deeper and correct body alignment. There is more about spiritual practice. I saw some people disappointed about that. So if you want to have the same teaching as in the west I recommend going for a yoga retreat with an authorized or certified teacher and you will get lots of adjustments, and technical details about asanas, vinyasas, anatomy and etc... I went in one in Goa with Tim Feldman and his wife Kino and it was great. Really. You can find Ashtanga yoga retreats and workshops all over the world if you don't want or don't have enough time go all the way to Mysore, India.
5- The practice in the Shala is not the same practice you have at home. In the west practicing at home to in a Ashtanga Studio or Shala sometimes we modified some poses and keep it going. There you get stopped when it gets difficult.
6- Despite all the free time, we have chanting classes and also Sanskrit classes if you want to enroll it. Also in Mysore there are other yoga schools offering meditation, massage classes, ayurveda and many other things that will help you to be busy if you want it.
7- Gokulam (Mysore) is a nice city comparing to some other parts of India. You will find a great support for tourists and most of the people can communicate in english. Each year more tourists and students are traveling there and the locals and business shops know how to deal with westerns. There are really good restaurants for yoga students as well. Santosha is my favorite after class! Great breakfast and also a great place to make new friends and see old ones.

  Ashtanga yoga is definitely NOT for everyone. Asana practice it is for everyone, but to follow the path of Ashtanga practice it has been the most challenge thing I ever have done and continue to do it in my life. Sometimes I even ask myself why I still do it and then I just laugh and remember why I started. Ashtanga asana practice is really demanding and can easily discourage people to continue. Also people that wants to learn from photos and videos can easily get injured. So is good to find someone to guide you in the practice. The commitment is also really hard. There is also a big difference when you do it for fun and when you practice and teach. Responsibility grows and it is need to know and learn how to handle. But beside that Ashtanga practice is really rewarding. It changes our being inside out and this process is slow and usually painful. We are faced with our ego, fears, anxiety and insecurities in each practice. But after all, peace and acceptance is slowly building inside us. I also know Im not alone. The Ashtanga family is huge and we all struggle together and support each other.
  The ultimate advice is to follow your heart. Do what it feels right to yourself. Don't do it because others do. Life is too short to live the life of others. Be in peace and be happy.
Namaste!

2013

Greenwich in 2013

Sharath and Saraswathi 2013 

KPJAYI 2015 

Guru 2015

The Pregnant Ashtangi

*This is a personal post from my own experience of being an Ashtanga practitioner and being pregnant. I don't want to generalize the subject as each practitioner have their own experience with their body, so Im speaking only about myself.


  Only God knows how is being mentally and physically difficult for me to be an Ashtanga practitioner and a pregnant woman at the same time. When I knew I was pregnant, my husband and I decided to give a break in my practice as Pattabhi Jois, Saraswathi and Sharath recommend for the first trimester of pregnancy. That is advised because the first three months are very delicate and hard movements as well overheating the body can cause miscarriages easily. I do know some women who practice Ashtanga and didn't stop their practice and they were fine. As I said before each person have their own opinions and I decided to follow the advice of my teachers, myself and family. Either way I continue with gentle stretches and teaching of course. The first 3 months and a half it was really hard and I think it was good to take a rest from my practice. I felt morning and night sickness. In the afternoons felt sleepy and tired. Now I'm in the 4th month and I feel better about being sick and I feel more energy in the mornings. I still feel suddenly sleepy, even more after when I eat something.
  Now Im welcoming the practice back into my routine. It's not being easy. I still feel lack of energy, I get tired quicker and even sleepy on the sitting positions or sometimes I suddenly feel hungry. Then I get a feeling that I'm not in control of my body anymore. But then I breath mindfully, I control my breath and then I calm my thoughts and my mind. I feel connected again with my body and deep inside I know its all temporary. I am where I am supposed to be.
  Every change is for the best and for us to learn something about ourselves.  I am a practitioner who strives for results and improvement. Im always thinking ways to achieve results in my practice. Now I just need to find ways to enjoy more my journey and improve my relationship to whatever is presented in the present moment. I think most of the Ashtanga practitioners are like that. If not wait until you can not practice the way you always do so you know better ;)We strive for results somehow, but then when we get an injury or something happens that is beyond our control like my pregnancy we are forced to step back and be mindful of every little step and movement of body and mind.
  Putting aside all the "negative"or not pleasant experiences of our new "temporary" practice there are positives as well.
1-Ego of course gets smashed and I feel much more humble.
2-I breath more mindfully because I want to send enough oxygen to the baby and I also want my mind and body to feel as calm as possible. So there is no rushing or forcing something to happen.
3- As a teacher I feel much more compassion and understanding for the students.
4-As a practitioner I learn that everything is temporary and impermanent. Attachment causes suffering. Liberation of all things is the goal of my practice. So not even to my practice I should feel attached or dependent to.

Some point along the years Ashtanga practitioners learn that does not matter how your practice looks like today, or in the past either how you think it will looks like in the future, we will continue to do it because this is the essence of the practice to just go and do it even if is just a few sun salutations.
Today it was half primary, tomorrow lets see whats happen. No expectation? Im working on that as well. Practice and all is coming.
Namaste.

What to wear for a yoga class? Your clothes matter! :)

I remember the first time I joined a yoga class and the clothing recommendation was for me to be comfortable.

Do you know how the choice of your clothes can affect the quality of your practice?

So here we go!

***Be comfortable (but):

I also recommend people to put something they feel comfortable in when they ask me what to wear. But students should keep in mind when they are practicing with a teacher they should just covered the body and not HIDE it ;) Super baggy pants and super big shirts make it difficult for the teacher to see how the student is engaging the muscles. If the knees are straight or bend. If the belly is soft or if uddhiyana banddha is engaged. All those points add for the quality of assisting from the teacher to the student.

*If you have too baggy pants (like buddha pants) they are cute but you can step on them and fall. Teacher can not see the engagement of your hamstrings muscles.

*If you have a very large t-shirt on it you block your vision on downward dog also it will be a pain in the @$$ for inversions.

*** For students with minimum clothing:

If you like to practice only with a top, sleeveless and tight t-shirt or tank top and shorts here are some good advices. If you are going to a gentle, yin, restorative etc easy going yoga class you are fine and its ok...maybe you will need a little extra cover for final relaxation in the end because usually the body gets cold. If you are going to a Ashtanga class (Mysore or led) or any dynamic type of hatha yoga class take a towel with you. As we use minimum clothing and we get sweat our skin gets super slippery. Sometimes teachers need a good grip to so some specific adjustments and the towel can be handy. Also for your own comfort you need a towel to keep the mat dry, specially on hot days :)

After all the important thing is too feel good in what you wear. The practice is a bridge to connect us to our inner sensations of the body, mind and spirit so if you get distracted on fixing your bra, your pants are falling and anything else that would take your attention away you need to think in other type of clothing that (1: Do not distract you / (2: It's comfortable/ (3: Will not be an obstacle for your teacher.

Namaste :)