Mysore Style Ashtanga in Southville, Bristol
If you've been practicing Ashtanga regularly or on and off, you might have come across or heard the term 'Mysore style practice' or just 'Mysore style' and been wondering what that is! If you're new to this style or have been curious about it, we thought to write about it to explain it's magic..
Mysore Style Ashtanga is a traditional and self-paced approach to Ashtanga Yoga. Unlike led classes where everyone moves together, Mysore Style empowers you to cultivate an intimate connection with your practice. Guided by the teacher, you're encouraged to move at your own rhythm, listening to your body's needs on the day. This personalised approach fosters a deep sense of self-awareness and cultivates an inner listening, allowing the sense of your practice being a moving meditation to deepen!
Through the repetitive nature of the practice, you develop discipline, focus, and patience. The asanas (postures) become a mirror, reflecting not only your physical strength but also your mental and emotional states. With time, you'll witness how the practice carries over into your daily life, fostering resilience, self-acceptance, and a greater capacity for compassion.
With everyone in their own personal practice, everyone's presence together contributes to an uplifting atmosphere.
What exactly happens in a Mysore Ashtanga Session?
Everyone comes in to the class, and you can begin whenever you are ready. If you're not sure where to start, just wave Charlene down (It's only a small class anyway :)) and she will guide you through practice.
There is also a handy book for you to refer to for the postures if you need a visual.
The room continues their practice, with guidance from the teacher who will be around the room constantly, offering individual help, adjustments (if you want it!), support and any advice needed throughout the whole practice. In a Mysore Ashtanga class, you are practicing at your own pace, but you are fully supported and guided by the teacher throughout too.
Towards the end of the practice, the teacher will guide everyone to close their practice - with some people practicing a full closing sequence, with a modified version offered to those who aren't yet fully comfortable with all the inversions.
Throughout the whole practice there is support given, which gives this style of practice its unique, personalised approach that we love.
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Our Mysore Ashtanga classes are Fridays, 7.30-8.45am.
Note that they're listed on the general class schedule for you to book, but they are listed in 3 week blocks - so you can book them individually but also don't be worried if you don't see them sometimes, as we usually take a week break in between the 3 weeks!
View our upcoming dates here (scroll to the Fridays to see when they're on!)
