Here's how my Tuesday morning Ashtanga class "works"...
- The first portion is a fully guided Ashtanga Basics class that's 45 minutes long, from 8-8:45am.
- It is a flowing practice that follows a steady and rhythmic breathing patter, rigorous but not exhausting.
- The postures are familiar and neither too intense nor too rigorous - nor do they require extreme flexibility (although doing them consistently does help improve flexibility over time.)
- The sequence is the same each week so that you can begin to memorize it, both mentally and physically.
- The sequence addresses the entire body, and builds both strength and stamina with repetition.
- I give you mnemonic devices and nifty clues to help you memorize the sequence of postures.
- Integration/memorization of the sequence gives students the ability to practice on their own without the need of a teacher.
- Each class starts with a brief five minute satsang on at least one of the subtle or esoteric aspects of yoga practice.
- This subtle aspect will be emphasized/pointed out during that particular class. (For example, proper breathing; the concept of vinyasa; the nature of bandhas; the power of drishti; goal of the yoga philosophy; the koshas, etc. )
- The Ashtanga practice is intrinsically linked with breath and internal management of awareness and lifeforce/prana - this is primarily what makes the class a yoga class and not an exercise class.
What happens at the end of the guided portion?
- Students have an opportunity to either take rest and finish their class at the end of 45 minutes. OR...
- They can choose to keep practicing, so that they can begin to learn and experience the next postures of the sequence, directly from me one-on-one, during the Mysore portion that runs from 8:45-9:50am.
What exactly is Mysore practice??
- The Mysore practice session is a self-guided AND teacher facilitated practice session that runs immediately after the guided portion, from 8:45-9:50am
- Mysore practice is like semi-private yoga in a group setting, a place for you to get your questions answered.
- All levels practice together in their own level, pace and time, in a non-competitive and supportive environment
- Seasoned folks who know the practice already will work with me directly one-on-one to refine said practice, get questions answered, be assisted in postures that challenge or confuse, etc.
- Less seasoned Mysore folks who don't know the next parts of the practice will be taught it by me directly, one-in-one, so that you will be both safe and informed as you progress towards more challenging asana.
- All students in the Mysore class "share" my teaching time - that is, taking turns to work with me one-on-one as needed.
- OR if I'm not needed, students simply work indepedently through the rest of their practice without any guidance/interference from me.
- Together, we all finish up by 9:50am, roll out the rugs in the Hidden Temple, and head off into our day, no later than 10am.
Why should I try Mysore practice?
- All students are encouraged to try Mysore practice! I can say without any doubt it is the BEST way to practice yoga if you seek autonomy, self-empowerment and a deeper more personalized yoga practice.
- Mysore practice helps students develop a sensible personal practice they can do on their own.
- It enables folks to further their personal practice in subtle but profoundly positive ways
- It increases the depth and integration of their yoga practice on both a physical and mental basis.
- Mysore practice enables student to "delve deeper" into yoga practice far beyond what one might find in modern Western group yoga classes.
- Mysore practice is individualized, and excellent for folks who have experienced insecurity, confusion, injury, harm, or feelings of inadequacy or competition in other yoga environments.
- Mysore practice offers the student the means of asking the questions they've always wanted to ask in a group guided class, but felt they had no time, or felt were "dumb". (I welcome all questions; none of them are ever "dumb"!)
- Mysore practice is a means of developing YOUR own personal practice with the help of another person who has walked ahead on the yoga path and can offer you guidance about being a lifelong practitioner, giving wisdom on both the easy parts of the journey and the challenging ones, too.
If this intrigues, yet Tuesdays don't work with your schedule, consider some other Mysore offerings at the Hidden Temple offered through Ashtanga Awakening, our growing Ashtanga community in the Northampton, MA area!
Details at the button link below: