Learn how to practice Ashtanga yoga independently on this three hour workshop with Evelin and Nick.
If we’re being blunt about it, you can come away with a lot more insight from a Mysore class than your average led class. That’s because the assistance you get is bespoke to you. You can ask questions, and move at your own pace, to your own breath. You’ll start to understand where the juice is in your practice, and ultimately, better understand yourself.
In this workshop we’re going to lay it all out for you. Explain what Mysore self practice entails, what to expect, and how to go about it. We will also get right into the nitty-gritty of the practice, shining light on areas of asana you might have overlooked. We’ll look at the order of the sequence, breaking it down into memorable chunks, and instil you with an understanding of what is supposed to be happening in various standing and seated postures. We’ll discuss the dynamics of vinyasa, how and when to modify postures, and what this tristasana thing is all about.
This workshop is run by two long time practitioners of Ashtanga yoga for a reason. You’ll notice there’s contradictions, that approaches differ, and that there’s often more than one way to approach the practice.
So, what is Mysore exactly?
Mysore is a city in southern India that’s the cultural home of Ashtanga yoga. In this style of yoga, it’s most common for students to practice at their own pace, working through set sequences of postures. It’s not about synchronicity with the class, it’s a more personal and individual way of practicing yoga. You work independently through the postures, with the assistance of a teacher as and when you need it. Think of it like a group 1-2-1
You’ll see this style of yoga referred to in many ways at different yoga studios. Sometime’s it’s called ‘self practice,’ or, ‘assisted self practice.’ Other times it will be listed as, ‘Mysore self practice,’ or just simply, ‘Mysore.’
Why is Mysore so good?
It’s a graceful and meditative way to practice yoga, and with the sequence always being the same, it’s easy to see where physical progress is being made. Having a framework in place also allows you to ‘own’ your practice, making the potential to practice at home much greater – and it’s through repetition, that we start to see adaptation.
When you come to a self practice class, you also get to ask questions without holding up the room, and get more specific one-to-one assistance. Fundamentally, you start to understand what’s happening a little more, go a bit deeper.
A lot of people find Ashtanga self practice to be very introspective and personal. Some find it can be quite a strong and dynamic type of yoga. In either event, developing your own practice helps to build strength and flexibility, but also to bring about more awareness and comfort in the body.
What to expect from this workshop
During this three hour workshop, we’ll explore the Ashtanga Primary Series, look at sequencing patterns, and break down some of the main transitions so that you have the tools to develop and grow your own personal yoga practice. We’ll also pick apart drishti, bandha and breath, and look at how to modify certain poses in order to access them more freely.
When you finish this workshop, you’ll have a broad understanding of the Ashtanga primary series, and know what’s going on in a traditional Mysore room and be able to attend Ashtanga self practice classes confidently. You’ll also have the insight and knowledge needed to start putting in place your own regular yoga practice.
This course is suitable for beginners, but also those with a regular yoga practice that want to explore Ashtanga more deeply.
Location: Bad Hand Studio, Bournemouth
Date: Sunday 17th September 2023
Time: 9am-12
Cost: £30