Mythbusting Mysore Style Practice
By Sonja Radvila
When contemplating various yoga styles, many think that Ashtanga yoga practice is one of the most challenging, especially in the traditional “Mysore style” approach. Mysore is a famous city in southern India, and the origin of the Ashtanga method is as it exists today. For some reason, it is one of the most feared and misunderstood ways of practicing yoga for many neophytes, beginners, and those who practice other types of yoga. Body of Santa Fe started a new Mysore program in January with five veteran practitioners and teachers of Ashtanga yoga who warmly invite you to join this growing Mysore community in New Mexico, but first, let’s clear up some of the myths that may be in the way…
Myth #1: Ashtanga is only for the flexible and physically “gifted.”
It’s easy to see why this belief exists when most of the imagery of Ashtanga yoga is of beautiful, lithe bodies doing ornate pretzel-shaped gravity-defying shapes in exotic locales. Nothing could be further from the truth! Ashtanga yoga is a practice for regular folks—older adults, young people, stiff people, injured people, grieving people, recovering people, and those of all shapes, colors, orientations, and abilities, and everyone in between. Regular folks don’t get the exact algorithmic hits, I guess…#normalpeopledoashtangayoga #ashtangaisforeveryBODY #yogaforthepeople
Myth #2: I have to know what I am doing.
The Ashtanga system is based on consecutive poses, like learning dance steps. Most people think they must know the dance before entering a Mysore room. No! The Mysore style caters to the individual, and by design, that is the genius of this method—where a beginner may practice next to a twenty-year veteran, and everyone has their needs met in the same space at the same time. Due to the sequential nature of Ashtanga yoga, students learn one posture at a time with patient and attentive support. The results yield people adept at self-practice, independence, and autonomy.
Myth #3: Ashtanga yoga is challenging.
Learning any new skill is challenging, and Ashtanga yoga is no different. The practice helps develop greater resilience to meet difficulty and ease with equanimity. It provides a community of like-minded souls to share in life’s ups and downs and space for gentleness and compassion. “Hard” may become a reliable and integrated tool for self-awareness. It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Myth #4: It’s just asana.
The physical postures are often the gateway to the other limbs of practice, including ethical precepts, personal observances, breath control, outward withdrawal, inward concentration, meditation, and unity consciousness. That’s a mouthful! You might initially practice for the physical benefits and realize you’ve acquired a greater sense of peace, mindful awareness, and understanding of the Self. Uh oh!
I welcome you to give Mysore style a try. In April, we offer a month-long introduction course to Ashtanga yoga, including free Mysore practice all month! If you have any questions, please contact any of the Mysore teachers, and we’d be happy to speak with you.
From the book "Young Yogi and the Mind Monsters"
Artist & Illustrator: Kaori Hamura