The practice of Ashtanga Yoga

Mysore Style Benefits 

In order to experience the maximum benefits of Ashtanga Yoga, one should ideally try to commit to practicing the sequence that their teacher has prescribed to them five to six days per week, taking Saturdays as a rest day. This is how this method is traditionally prescribed. While it is not an absolute requirement to attend class every day, it will provide the most benefit and insight. As a minimum, one should try to commit to at least 3 days per week of practice.

Modern day life can be very demanding and this practice should not feel like a stressful obligation but rather a time and space to check in with yourself. As always, do what you can, when you can and adjust accordingly. Some days it is enough just to be in the room and be present.

It's a commitment to yourself and the practice as a whole as a relationship that cultivates change.

On top of the prescription of daily or regular practice, new students are also sometimes daunted by the fact that the sequence practiced is the exact same every day and students are expected to learn how to remember and practice the sequence independently.

The Ashtanga Vinyasa method is particularly deep and powerful, and the Mysore method is the safest and most sustainable way to learn and integrate it as it enables the student to learn one posture at a time on an individual basis. In this way each student can progress at their own pace, learning the particularities of the sequence and postures in a way that suits their own body and mind.

There are many benefits to this method which cultivate focus, embodiment and self empowerment to name but a few, but in my opinion it is also the most holistic approach to Yoga. You will only practice as much as you can remember and are able to, and in this way the system slowly integrates into the students nervous system and memory. There’s no rush to this process and the focus of the Mysore room is to provide an open, calm and empowering space to explore.

An experienced teacher of this method will apply different teaching techniques to different students, depending on their individual nature. I teach the Ashtanga system in a non dogmatic way enabling each student to explore thier body in the most appropriate method. Each student receives maximum benefit from the system in this way. Students develop independence and self-reliance while at the same time also developing their own unique long term relationship with the guiding teacher.

This style of learning is meant to be a long term commitment on the part of both teacher and student.

The Ashtanga sequences are designed to restructure the body, nerves and mind in a systematic way. Each posture and vinyasa sequence has its own effect. When practiced regularly, this sequence will effect a change on the very structure and framework of the body/mind. Over time, and when the practitioner does this regularly, the new body/mind structure that emerges will stabilise.

When the teacher sees that each student is ready to integrate a new posture, then a new posture is given. In this way, slowly but surely the Ashtanga sequence reshapes the student, one step at a time.

It is important to have an experienced teacher monitor and direct this process. An over-eager student may try to bite off more than they can chew. Too many inputs all at once can overwhelm the body/mind and instead of shifting in a stable way, it can break down. Other students may be hesitant to try new things and will need the teacher to guide them forward to experience the benefits that they are ready for. A good teacher will be able to see the student’s current capacity to integrate, and will direct the process accordingly.

If life permits, daily practice is ideal. The restructuring effects of the practice are competing against deeply ingrained negative habit patterns in the body/mind. Daily application aids new patterns to take root and eventually eradicate the old, unhealthy patterns.

Regular practice of the same sequence independently and silently also has a very positive effect of concentrating and focusing the mind. Yoga practice then becomes a tool to help remove distraction from our lives, instead of increasing it – as is becoming so difficult these days in modern day living.

This style of learning suits those who wish to truly undertake a deep and long-term exploration of the layers of body, breath and mind via commitment to systematic process and method. For the dedicated practitioner, Mysore style Ashtanga yoga gradually reveals and transforms physical and mental tendencies lying below the surface of conscious awareness, rather than providing yet another form of distracted entertainment. This is deeply challenging, and even more deeply rewarding to one who undertakes the journey.

Jamie