When Are You Ready for Mysore Practice?

I have started dabbling in the Ashtanga Primary Series. I wish I could say “I have started practicing the Primary Series,” but that wouldn’t accurately describe my humble attempts. I’m trying to keep a beginner’s mind…

I have Richard Freeman’s Ashtanga Yoga: The Primary Series DVD (impressive, but not very helpful) and David Swenson’s Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual (which IS very helpful). I like Swenson’s 45 minute short form sequence, which actually takes me more like an hour (even with skipping a few poses). Now my question is, how do I progress from here? At what point can you show up for a Mysore practice?

Is it better to try a few led primary series classes first, or is Mysore better for beginners who might need to practice at their own pace?

Speaking of Ashtanga, this weekend Portland yoga teacher Jason Stein is teaching an Ashtanga Intensive at 8 Limbs on Capitol Hill. For more info go to the 8 Limbs website or Jason’s blog.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 7:28 pm and is filed under Yoga Practice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses to “When Are You Ready for Mysore Practice?”

  1. You can show up without any prior experience for a mysore class. The teacher should be able to guide you through the practice pose by pose stopping you when they think you have done enough. Then you do the same thing the next day and the next. The teacher will add poses as you progress with the previous ones. It is really the best way to learn because you move along at your own pace and ability with your own breath rather than follow along in a class.

  2. You’re ready for mysore right now, most definitely. All the shalas I’ve practiced at welcome beginners, and it’s a great place to learn the series. Remember though, you may not practice as far in mysore as you do at home or in led classes. You may have a very short practice. The thing is, it’s meant to be done daily. Considering that, I think this is the real question: are you ready for a daily practice? (If you already have one, forgive the oversight please, it’s my first time at your blog).

  3. Thanks for the advice! This was just what I needed to get the courage to show up for Mysore practice. I already practice 5 or 6 days a week, so the frequency isn’t a problem. The early morning Mysore time might be, though… But I guess that’s part of the practice :)

  4. west seattle - where are the yoga studios ??? and no, hot yoga is not for me, 8limbs did not rock my world. any suggestions ?

  5. Hm, you’re right, West Seattle doesn’t have that many yoga studios. Have you tried SoundYoga? I haven’t been there, but they look pretty good judging from their web site.

  6. i will give them a try . thanks so much !

  7. I went to a mysore class and had a bad experience. I am somewhat new to yoga (been doing about a year) and found the teacher just wasn’t really ready to deal with someone that was new to the primary series. However, that could have just been this particular teacher.

  8. I say of course come to mysore! you’ve already been to Troy’s classes right? there have been a couple beginners I’ve seen a few times the last couple months and he’s so great with them. plus a lot of people have their own versions of primary series that they practice. and he has “cheat sheets” of the whole sequence you can set by your mat. i think it’s a fantastic place to start and it’d be so fun to see you there! please come! or let’s at least get together for some chai one of these days. :)

  9. Hi Elie! I’ve been to a few of Troy’s classes, and from what you’re saying the Mysore class doesn’t sound so intimidating :) I’m out of town for the holidays, but we should definitely meet up when I get back!

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