Mysore style

Mysore style is the traditional way to practice Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. It is a method of self-practice, where each practitioner has some knowledge of the sequence of asanas and comes to the class prepared to do their practice. The teacher provides individual instruction and adjustments where necessary.

Mysore style is named after the city in India where Ashtanga has developed over the last half century, with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his guru, Krishnamacharya. Traditionally, a serious Ashtanga Yoga practitioner begins their practice daily at dawn before having anything to eat and without any modifications to the series. He or she would proceed through the primary series one asana at a time, until the asana has sufficiently settled, and the guru will then give the practitioner the next asana in the sequence. Practice is not undertaken on the new and full moon days.

The Mysore style is modified in the West to fit around the schedules of modern life, but we retain as much of the traditional aspects as possible. When attending a Mysore class, you have the opportunity to develop your “own” practice, to make it part of your life so that it can take hold and blossom gradually, with great health benefits to mind and body. Anywhere in the world, you can take your practice with you and work on it under the guidance of special teachers that have worked directly or indirectly with “Guruji,” as Pattabhi Jois is affectionately known.

Please visit the website for the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute if you are interested in learning more about the practice.