WHY IS THE MYSORE STYLE YOGA PRACTICE SO EFFECTIVE?

If you practice Yoga or are just starting out. You are then surely asked what is the Mysore Style?

If you are a yoga practitioner, you have certainly heard of either led class or Mysore style yoga practice.

We will describe these two ways of transmission in the practice of Yoga.

◎ LED CLASS PRACTICE:

These are group lessons that are led by a teacher. The sequence is designed jointly with all the students attending the lessons. The asanas are led by moving from one posture to another. Thus, all students in the class practice the same sequence posture by posture as the teacher leads.

In the best case, the students are grouped by levels, so that it becomes easy for the teacher to lead the class fluently, and for the students to follow. If the class is all level, and even if the teacher gives alternatives, the more advanced students will stagnate for a while, and the more beginners will struggle at the some at first, until they can follow the average level required in the course, provided they come regularly.

As for the attention that the practice of Yoga requires, there will never be full attention, since the student will have to constantly listen to the instructions of the teacher, and if it is not a fixed sequence that the student knows, he will also have to look at the details that the teacher transmits. It is therefore not ideal to go deeper into the practice.

The rhythm transmitted by the teacher can never satisfy all students since we are all different. Even if the rhythm is more or less slow, the student will never be comfortable with the rhythm transmitted.

Three are two things that are useful in led practice: the rhythm imposed to bring the student not to stop at any opportunities conditioned by his mental, and even then, it is not necessarily won . And to propose a precise constant work to be maintained in the given period of time, in order to make the student evolve on a very precise point.

Otherwise, the students allow themselves to be led without conviction, and follow mechanically like robots. They may be partially relaxed at the end of the course, but there will be nothing constant in the duration and internal transformation, and after ten years, often not much will be built.

It is suggested that people with health problems avoid these sessions to minimize the risk of complications.

The teacher in this kind of approach, cannot have a watch and a help on all the students, of this fact there is not a benevolent control on the breathing and the movements, and it is not possible to have an adaptation in order to have good movements to move towards accuracy.

This is surely the most boring way to practice Yoga.

◎ MYSORE STYLE PRACTICE:

What we have observed is that at first people have preconceived ideas about this approach, thinking that you have to be advanced to enter the Mysore Style classes and that it is not for the all beginners. It's a shame, because it's precisely the most adapted approach for a beginner as well as for a student who already has a lot of practice behind him.

Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore Style is a traditional transmission practice welcoming students, beginners and advanced, practicing side by side at their individual pace, while being supervised and adjusted by the teacher. The teacher assists each student individually by giving physical adjustments and verbal instructions while observing the practice. New postures are gradually taught to the student as strength, skill, commitment and humility evolve.

This keeps in mind and respects:

◇ The intention of the practice

◇ Levels of practice

◇ Health conditions

◇ Body types

This gives the teacher the freedom to smoothly bring practitioners from one level to the next. This helps the student work at their own ability and pace without focusing on the practice of others.

Therefore, the class is not led as a whole, but all instruction is one-on-one in the practice room.

Teaching becomes very easy in this approach.

The student can easily memorize the sequence with both confidence and comfort, eventually developing the skills needed to move through the practice, establishing autonomy, stability and calm.

Although it is necessary to keep the student on the right track, the intentions are different for each one. Younger people will be more easily attracted by the aspect of the asanas, for someone older, it will be less the asanas, but more the spiritual practice. The teacher will have to be careful that the student does not take the path of performance at the risk of developing the ego, which would be a brake for the future or a clarity to find accuracy. But it is an important aspect that should not be neglected and which is easier to bring to light in Mysore style courses. This approach makes it possible to welcome all kinds of students together and guide them throughout their yoga journey.

Students learn to take responsibility for their yoga practice which becomes an integral part of themselves. This method allows students to learn both the basics and some of the more advanced postures in a safe and confident manner.

Engaging in regular practice of this system and following the method leads the practitioner to the opportunity to truly deepen self-perception in an emotional, mental, physical and spiritual way. The Mysore Style practice is for those who wish to develop their potential not only on the yoga mat, but also beyond.

The Mysore Style is about sharing and a real transmission, which you will not find in any other method of transmission from teacher to student, except in private classes.

Mysore style classes give practitioners of all levels the freedom to play to their strengths and work on their weaknesses. Every body and everyone is different. Depending on the natural predispositions of each, age and experience.

Why is the Mysore style beneficial for teachers ?

- It is possible to have different levels of practice in the same group.

- It is possible to teach students who suffer from different problems because they have their own sequence.

- It is easier to check the progress of the student.

- You see the true purpose of your teaching.

- The intention and principles of the Mysore style align with your purpose.

- There are no limits to the course and long term teaching.

- It is possible to accommodate up to 12 students for one teacher.

- Students engage more deeply engaged and independent.

Why is the Mysore style beneficial for students ?

- The practice is fair and individually adapted, without forcing and rushing into the practice.

- Sequences are personalized with each student in mind.

- The length of the practice can be decided according to availability and energy.

- Slow but solid and steady progress in practice.

- No comparison with other students.

- The teacher has a benevolent eye towards the student on any fluctuation of body and mind.

- The student becomes autonomous in a meaningful practice.

- Engage in introspection and awareness.

CONCLUSION:

We have found that even after attending dozens of led classes or many more, people often can't memorize what the next posture is? and what is the synchronized sequencing of movement and breathing? In other words, the practitioner relies heavily on the teacher.

In contrast, the Mysore style practice enables the practitioner to observe his or her own body and mind, leading to independent practice.

In the example of educating children, if children rely too much on adults, they will not have their own ideas." What do I want to do? What decisions should I make?" ...etc. Consequently, they will not be able to consider clearly.

Whereas, if children are able to draw, write, and help with household chores independently, letting them express their inner world of thoughts and behaviors, the children will develop a mature and independent personality.

Therefore, we often say, "The results of practice on the mat will show up outside the mat - in attitudes and behaviors of daily life.

It is important to make it clear that " guided" means that the teacher explains to the student the logics and reasons for doing a given detail in the teaching process, and the student acquires a good understanding, as in the Mysore style practice.

What is meant by " led class" means that during the teaching session, the teacher gives instructions to the students or demonstrates the postures to the students without spending a certain amount of time explaining why. The students just do one posture and then another.

Most of the Led Classes become a form of entertainment, whereas the Mysore Style Classes are more about educating and guiding the student on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. This allows you to have a solid foundation and build practice. It is easier to observe progress and improve your practice. Although there are times when students may feel like their progress is slow, but with consistent practice they will be able to see the foundations of their practice.

Still wondering how Mysore Style classes work?

Would you like to try to see if this format suits you?

Then come and try a class at Ashtanga Yoga Lausanne.

Before starting Mysore Style Yoga classes, the student discusses their goal or area of ​​improvement with us. From there, a personalized sequence is given to the student for practice. Students practice individually at their own pace while being guided by the teacher.

At AYL, Mysore classes are taught for the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (primary, secondary and advanced series), in the practice of Vinyasa Krama Yoga (we build progressive sequences that are specific to each individual) and Pranayama (development awareness of the breath).

We are passionate and happy to guide you, transmit you and follow you with heart towards more clarity.