Mysore
Mysore is a two-hour train ride from the city of Bangalore in Karnataka, India and is the home of Sri K Pattabhi Jois, the world's leading exponent of Ashtanga Yoga. Guruji, as we affectionately call him, teaches each morning with his daughter Saraswati and his grandson Sharath, who is currently to world's most advanced Ashtanga Yoga practitioner. The first batch of students begin their practice at 5am and are assisted according to their individual needs as they work through the Ashtanga Yoga sequences. Beginners and long term students of Guruji practise together in silence and as each finishes their practice a new student takes their place in the room as Guruji promptly beckons, "One more, yes you come!". Fridays and Sundays are led classes, where Guruji and Sharath lead students through the Primary or Intermediate sequences in unison, calling out the names and vinyasas of the postures.
Hundreds of students return to Mysore regularly to study under the tutelage of Guruji and his family. Because the practice of yoga brings many changes and shifts in one's life, having an ongoing relationship with a teacher who can observe your practice over the years is extremely helpful and inspiring. It also allows those who teach this system of yoga the time to remember that they too are students.
'Mysore style' also refers to the traditional way of practicing Ashtanga Yoga. Each morning at The Yoga Space students come together under the guidance of Jean and Rob to discover the benefits of practising the traditional method. As students are ready new postures are added to the sequence, this can be over months or even years. As Sharath always tells his students in led classes "Slowly, slowly, why the rush?"
Practising Ashtanga Yoga in the traditional format with mindful awareness of the breath, gaze point and bandhas has the power to transform our lives, breath by breath, day by day, posture by posture. Jean and Rob return to Mysore regularly to practise under the guidance of Guruji and Sharath and to ensure that the lineage of teaching remains unbroken. Just like practice in India, a one month commitment is required to begin to learn the traditional method and all students are welcome, beginners and experienced.
K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institue Mysore, India
To attend classes at KPJAYI in India you will need to send a letter to Guruji and Sharath advising them of when you want to come. When you arrive, you can register for class between 4:30 and 6pm Sunday to Friday. For information about registration and travelling to Mysore see the website www.kpjayi.org. For more information about Mysore style practice, visit our Writing and Research page.