Ashtanga Yoga
Mysore is the traditional method for learning Ashtanga, which is taught through one-on-one instruction from a teacher to the student in group settings.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic form of Hatha Yoga where you learn a set sequence of postures, a series, connecting together powerful movement, breath and attention. It is rooted in vinyasa, the flowing movements between postures, with a primary focus on connecting each movement with the breath. While it is a very physical practice which helps strengthening and purifying the body, it also offers many benefits to the long term practitioners, from a healthier lifestyle, to mental clarity, to increased levels of self-knowledge.
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Ashtanga Mysore
Mysore is the name of a city in South India where Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois studied with his teacher T. Krishnamacharya and taught this yoga practice for many decades to students from his own home. To this day, practitioners of Ashtanga Yoga come in to the shala and work at their own pace and ability with the teacher's supervision. New postures are slowly added to enable students to memorise the sequence and form a daily practice aligned with their individual needs. It is a safe class for all levels, from beginners to long-term practitioners.
A Mysore Program typically runs six days a week as it's through regular attendance that one's practice benefits the most. We encourage students to commit to 2 or 3 days a week practice to start with and work up to six days, if and when possible.
Self-Practice
The Mysore practice is a "self-practice" rather than a "guided class" but this doesn't mean that the sequence has to be memorised before you start. In reality, no prior knowledge is needed so do not let this hold back your enthusiasm for learning the Ashtanga method in the traditional way. If you are curious and would like to observe the Mysore room before committing to practice, please email the teacher at the location you would like to attend. We will be happy to have you and answer any questions you might have.
Ashtanga Mysore for Beginners
New students are welcome in all Mysore classes, their first visit might be only 20-30 minutes long but will increase over time as their practice grows. Learning this practice requires patience and repetition, so committing to a couple of months to start with is necessary to get a sense of how this system works and to experience its benefits on your own body. While not necessary, it might be useful to join an Ashtanga Led class beforehand (beginners level) so to have an idea of the flow of the practice.
Ashtanga Led Classes
We offer Ashtanga Led classes as well, a led class is always useful to learn the pace and the flow of the practice. It can also be a nice way to get started and to become familiar with the sequence of poses and their specific vinysas. Once in a while we also offer a led full-primary class, not suitable for beginners as there is less verbal instruction. However, once somewhat familiar with the beginning of the sequence, students are encouraged to attend this class regularly and simply follow along until they reach their final Mysore class posture in the series or are instructed to stop.
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Practical info:
Language: English
Duration: 20-120 min
Time: starting at 6:30, with a flexible starting time. check the class schedule page for more information.
Location: Yoga Circle, De Clercqstraat 66-68, Amsterdam
Price: check the pricing page for more information.
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Ashtanga Mysore Practice is suitable for all levels
Beginners are welcome. The teacher will guide you step by step through the breath and the postures at a suitable pace. No previous experience is required.
Learn a practice that you can take with you anywhere
Once you've learnt the basic of this practice, you can literally take it with you anywhere you go. It becomes your own practice, it will develop at your own pace.
Join the worldwide community of Ashtanga practitioners
This practice is pretty much the same everywhere in the world. Wherever you go, you will find a place where you can continue to grow your practice.
Advise for your Mysore Practice
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Practice for a maximum of six days a week. Make sure you reserve one day of rest. In our programs, a rest day is taken on Saturdays.
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There is no Mysore practice on the new and full moon days each month. Make sure you check the schedule in advance to avoid showing up to a closed shala.
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If you have an injury or sickness, practice with the intention to heal, and let your teacher know, so that together you can find suitable ways to adjust your practice safely.
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The room is mostly silent, and the teacher (and assistant) walk around to help students individually. While you will receive verbal instructions to learn new postures, most of the assists will be in the form of "hands-on adjustments". Should you have any injuries or sensitivities in your body, please inform the teacher at the beginning of your practice.
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During your menstrual cycle (period), we traditionally rest from Mysore practice on the heaviest days. This observance is both for the physical and the subtle body.
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Don’t practice if you have a fever. When in doubt, try a few Surya Namaskara on your own at home. If you are contagious or very weak, please stay at home.
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Avoid wearing strong and synthetic fragrances as they can be irritating to fellow practitioners.
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There are mats and showers at our locations. You can also store your mat in the studio if you come regularly.
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Take a shower in the morning or the night before so that you can remove oils and lotions, and come to practice clean.
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It's handy to have a clean small towel with you during practice.
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No warm-up is necessary. Keep your energy and intention up by entering and beginning the practice.
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Once you start fostering a regular practice, you might appreciate having your own mat. Keep your mat clean and dry (there are spray bottles with mat cleaner in the studio you can use at the end of your practice; also good to keep your mat unrolled outside for some fresh air once in a while - at home).
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Drop-ins are welcome for regular practitioners visiting from out of town or from other schools.
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To make efficient use of the space in the room, we ask you to come and practice at the stated scheduled times. There is a bit of flexibility around the starting time, so you can start up to 15 minutes before or after the stated starting time. Make sure your practice ends before the end of the shift (including rest time).
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Outside the starting time slots, the studio might be locked, as there are currently no hosts. Please be patient and stay in sight if the door is locked.
New to Mysore Practice?
Please send us an email to let us know when you'd like to come to practice with us. We will then guide you through the next steps and any questions you might have.