Ashtanga Yoga Morning Mysore Program Returns to Winter Park, Florida

Ashtanga is traditionally taught in a “Mysore Style” class.  It is so named after the city in South India where the method originated. It continues to be taught in the shalas (schools) in Mysore, India, and in traditional Ashtanga Yoga schools around the world.

Distinct differences mark how this Mysore method is taught from a more “typical” yoga class structure found nowadays. Mysore class is not “led” as a whole group. Rather, its instruction is one-on-one individualized teaching within a group class setting.  This ensures students can progress through the Ashtanga Yoga series at their own pace, according to their individual needs. The teacher assists each student individually through physical adjustments and verbal instruction.

Led Format vs Mysore Format

Mysore Classes:

This unique Mysore program is suitable for beginners as well as longtime practitioners. Its unique teaching method instructs every student at their own pace, based on their own needs and goals. For these reasons, it is arguably the most effective and enjoyable way to properly learn yoga.

Mysore classes are similar to private instruction in that they are a personalized form of learning and teaching the Ashtanga Yoga system to each and every person. Instruction is customized to where the student is.  Many factors are taken into account including physical health, age, strength, flexibility, endurance and balance.  Additional factors include each students understanding of the body/mind connection and control of the breath.  Furthermore, any prior knowledge or exposure to yoga, what kind and, if not, what other kinds of body movements or sports. It differs from private instruction in the ratio of students to teacher. Consequently, the cost is far less per person, being divided up amongst the group.

Our Mysore Classes offer the opportunity to learn and practice the method of Ashtanga Yoga in a dedicated space for Mysore classes. You’ll join other students learning to cultivate the skill of self-practice and grasp specific details of the Ashtanga System. Unlike a Private Session (1:1), you and Krista are in a room of up to 20 other students. You’ll still learn in a 1:1 teaching method – the teacher’s time is just divided among up to 20 people, depending on space.

Who Can Attend Mysore Offerings:

As with all of The Yoga Shala’s yoga-based offerings, you can enter our Mysore Classes as you are! Accordingly it is suitable for new students of yoga or a new student to the Ashtanga system.  It’s also perfect for returning students to Ashtanga teachings, or a very dedicated Ashtanga practitioner looking for more guidance, community, accountability, human interaction or adjustments.  The unique Mysore style allows you to delve deeper into the intricacies of this beautiful practice.

Krista works with students ages 8-108. Every gender, ethnicity and religion is welcome here! If you have unique physical, spiritual, religious, educational or emotional circumstances, know that you can participate – Mysore is for EVERYONE! Krista can and will joyfully work with you wherever you are.  Krista is skilled at figuring out how you can access this practice, even if your asanas (poses) are different from others. She takes tremendous joy in working with students needing extra creativity in their approach to the practice. Recent health tragedies she experienced only deepened this love, adding to her drive to offer this practice to even more beautiful souls with special needs. EVERYONE is welcome here … simply EVERYONE.

“Anyone can do yoga – old man, very old man. One who is sick – he will gain health. One who doesn’t have strength – he will gain strength. The only person who can’t practice is the lazy man.” – Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

First Class:

If you are new to the Mysore method, your first class will focus on the basic Ashtanga yoga techniques for breathing with movement.  This form of breathing with movement is called “vinyāsa”.  You will also receive a thorough introduction to foundational movements, positions and transitions. We’ll cover functional anatomy and biomechanics, too. Your very first practice may be 30-60 minutes long, depending on your prior exposure to the aforementioned concepts. Early on, the key is slow and steady, consistency, stability, structure, foundation.  And of course, practice, practice, practice.

To learn the skill of self-practice, it’s important to memorize sequences and become proficient in what you’ve been taught. Practice leads to mastery over this material, before you progress further into postures or concepts that demand this level of familiarity with the material that came before it. This approach to acquiring the skill of self-practice allows you time to adjust to a new daily routine – physically, emotionally, financially and socially. Consistent and gradual integration of the practice allows your body to become familiar with the practice itself.  In turn this facilitates development of greater physical flexibility, strength, endurance and proprioception. Yet the benefits extend so far beyond the physical body! The more time you invest into practice, and the more attention you place on your breath, your posture, your movement and your thoughts, the sooner you will discover true wholeness in your life.