Coming back to a yoga class in the studio after such a long break, even if you’ve been joining classes online, can feel daunting for lots of different reasons.

Maybe you’re still cautious about sharing space with other people, maybe your work situation has changed and it’s just not as handy any more or maybe the thought of doing all of those postures is quite simply too exhausting.

And if it’s Mysore style Ashtanga class (assisted self practice) you’re probably thinking it’s a whole different league, with worries about what you can’t do any more, what everyone else in the class CAN do and can you even remember the sequence after all this time!

(I talk more about what a Mysore style Ashtanga class is here)

Any yoga class is hugely beneficial but if you want to progress and really get the most from your time on the yoga mat, it takes a lot to beat this style of class, despite how weird and unfamiliar it feels at first!

Our Mysore style regulars really are all levels from beginners to long time practitioners, and I bet none of them thought, when they came to their first class, that they wouldn’t look back! I asked a few of them what they wish someone had told them before starting and here’s what they had to say…

What to expect from a Mysore style Ashtanga class

“Two things stand out for me.” says Dave. “First, because the teacher is not involved in leading the class, I get more individual, hands on guidance, which I really like. And second, I am not following a teacher leading the class so I think that I am more able to focus on what is happening in my body and in my head.”

Denice agrees and goes on to say “Mysore is about your own practice, no one else’s (although we shouldn’t be comparing in other classes it’s human nature!). You can practise at your own pace and take time to explore the asanas, what works & what doesn’t work, all under the watchful eye of a very experienced teacher.”

“Both you and your teacher will learn a lot more about your personal practice” adds Daniel. “As the class isn’t led, the teacher has all their attention on you. You both work together on finding out what’s best for your body and your practice.”

Nicole continues “You will find that your practice with a teacher will help you learn so much more about yourself and your own practice, much deeper than only attending led classes. And you don’t have to choose just one type of class, it’s all good stuff!”

William adds “It can also be meditative experience, due to the quietness of the studio.”

“Once you've got over the panic/anxiety of not following a teacher and learning the sequence, it's freeing and empowering” says Kat “You feel in control of your body and your practice, moving and responding to how you feel on that day and not following someone else's pace and energy.”

I’m worried everyone else is better than me

Anna’s quick to reassure “It’s not full of people levitating: everyone goes at their own pace and it really doesn’t matter if you’re struggling to touch your toes that day - you won’t be the only one!”

And Angiolina goes as far as to say “You don't need to be particularly good to enjoy a Mysore class.  In fact, the more you have to learn, the more Mysore is right for you."

“A beautiful thing about Mysore style” says Natasha “is that the class is full of a range of levels. Although I love this, it can be pretty intimidating too watching the person beside you working on very advanced postures when you are struggling with what seems like ‘simple’ ones. Even though in Ashtanga this is not the case! Best thing you can do to is focus on yourself and your own practice. Learning from other people in class is useful but your breath and how your body feels should be the priority.”

Terry’s had his share of ups and downs, and admits “You will not always achieve what you want, no matter how many times you have done before. Just be true to yourself.”

Helen says “Don’t compare yourself to others. Easier said than done, but it’s likely that you will be in the same room with people that will have practiced for years. This is your journey.”

But what if I can’t remember the sequence???

If you forget what’s next or get muddled up “SMILE” says Nicole “It’s ok to forget something and it doesn’t make you any less of a human being if you can’t remember what comes after trikonasana on the morning you practice. Remember you’ve turned up for practice which is so much more than not prioritising the time to commit and stay consistent.”

Anna agrees “Getting lost doesn’t matter: the teachers will keep you right and it’s not the end of the world if you miss a posture – you’ll learn them all in no time.”

Natasha offers a practical tip “I was aware that I would be working through the Primary series of Ashtanga on my own without led teacher guidance. However, I did not realise that I would be left to work so independently. I thought I knew the practice pretty well but I kept having to stop and wait for assistance because I got a bit lost at times! I drew out little stick people so I had a visual reminder...then in time your body just remembers.”

Is protocol different for a Mysore style class?

Denice says “I wasn’t clear on how to behave in a Mysore class, for example, how to approach the teacher in the room?” 

How we conduct ourselves in a Mysore style class can be a little different from regular led or gym style classes because it’s a different format with different focus. One of the things many people find strange at first is you can begin your practice at any time during the time slot for the class!

You can find all the details about what to do in a Mysore style class as well as practical tips and loads of FAQ’s to help you figure things out here

What’s so special about a Mysore style class?

For Terry it’s the people “The camaraderie between students and teacher offering advice and support inside and outside the studio without any preconceptions of what issues you have.”

For Lesley it’s the opportunity to go a little deeper. “Before I started Mysore,” she says “I wished I’d fully understood the statement ‘this is your practice.’ I understood on one level, but not fully. We are not all the same, we have different bodies, different lifestyles, and different demands on our time. Mysore offers us the opportunity to develop OUR practice, to get to know ourselves not only on the mat but in life. In Mysore you learn, in time, with guidance, to become your own teacher.”

Daniel says “Going at your own pace really helped me connect with my breath better. As Mysore style is self guided, it’s your breath that dictates the pace. You have to run the count through your head which helped me improve my concentration. Also with the room being quiet, you can hear the other practitioners breathing with sound which has reminded me to do the same at times. Mysore style improves your led practice too. When spending more time on the poses you struggle with at Mysore class, you will (eventually!) notice changes and improvements when you try them during the count of the teacher."

I’m not sure about coming back into the studio after being away for so long

“It’s normal to feel anxious returning after a break,” Cathy says “so be gentle with yourself and once you are back, all will be well.”

Angiolina describes “For me, the difference between an online class and an in-studio class is a bit like the difference between eating a delicious meal on our own and eating the same meal around a table with friends and family. The former is easier to organise and will generally take less of our time, but the latter will nourish us on many more levels…”

Denice says “There is nothing better than being in a studio with other people, feeling the energy and feeling more connected to your practice. For me there’s more to be gained from a studio practice than being isolated at home on a mat. It’s a lonely place.”

And William sums it up “Come and find support from your yoga community.”

Other great stuff they said but didn’t fit neatly into one of the previous sections!

“Start off with the right here and now,” says Nicole “try not to compare yourself to others. Your teacher will be focusing on you and celebrating the fact you are turning up for yourself. Don’t let the harder days/darker days put you off. It’s ALL A JOY in the end.”

Angiolina suggests “On a practical level, I’d advise folk to rediscover the joy of actually walking out of the house with a yoga mat over our shoulder, knowing the purpose of that journey. It’s a brilliant feeling!"

Anna’s been practising a while and says “Yoga practice always has an ebb and flow, but even if you're at an ebb, it will still feel good being back on the mat.”

And I’ll let Kat finish “You get a buzz, and are energised and inspired by others in the room. It's not a competition and it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing. But when people are doing something that looks cool and amazing you can see the possibility that maybe one day you'll get there too. I've seen women in there 60's and 70's do amazing things that keep me practising every day!”

There’s a lot going on just now and that can make you feel more unsettled and disheartened than usual. That can make it hard to find the time to come in for a class, especially taking into account travel time too. Coming to class though will help nourish and sustain you.

Your practice doesn’t have to be a big production, it’s just that. YOUR practice. Whatever that looks like today. And we’re here to help and support you.

Judi x

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