Yoga Classes in Winter Park, Florida

Mysore Offerings:

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 regarding factors such as physical health, age, strength, flexibility, endurance and balance are taken into consideration.  Moreover, things such as an understanding of the body/mind connection, control of the breath and any prior knowledge or exposure to yoga are important.  If a student has prior yoga experience, what kind and, if not, what other kinds of body movements or sports. Mysore classes 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 15 other students. You’ll still learn in a 1:1 teaching method.  The teacher’s time is just divided among up to 15 people.

Who Can Attend Mysore Offerings:

As with all of Olotita’s yoga-based offerings, you can enter our Mysore program at The Yoga Shala in Winter Park, FL as you are.  Regardless of if you are a new student of yoga, a new student to the Ashtanga system, a returning student to Ashtanga teachings, or a very dedicated Ashtanga practitioner looking for more guidance, community, accountability, human interaction or adjustments, as you 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. In fact, Mysore is for EVERYONE!  Krista can and will joyfully work with you wherever you are. She will use her 20 years of teaching experience to teach you how to 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.

“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 – called “vinyāsa.”  As well as a thorough introduction to foundational movements, positions and transitions. This is also where you will slowly be introduced to functional anatomy and biomechanics. The duration of 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 practice, practice, practice. To learn the skill of self-practice, you must memorize sequences and become proficient in what you’ve been taught. Practice leads to mastery over this material.  And mastery is unquestionably necessary before you progress further into postures or concepts that demand a certain level of familiarity.

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.  Over time, this facilitates development of greater physical flexibility, strength, endurance and proprioception. Yet, the benefits of Mysore style Ashtanga Yoga 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.