Mysore Etiquette - Everything you need to know & more
For many people, stepping into a Mysore style Ashtanga class for the first time can be a daunting thought. But it really is one of the best ways to learn and practice yoga.
In a Mysore class everyone does the same sequence of postures but their practice is tailored to where they’re each at. Students work through their own practice guided and supported by an experienced teacher.
If you'd like to read more about what Mysore style is check out our article - What even is Mysore Style Ashtanga?
Below we’ve brought together everything you need to know about coming along to a Mysore style class - general etiquette, what to do, what to expect and frequently asked questions.
We hope it’ll be a useful resource for you and give you the confidence to join us in class.
Good to know
You can begin your practice at any time during the time slot for the class. Just be sure to leave enough time for your finishing sequence and relaxation time before class ends.
What to do / what to expect
When you arrive, get yourself ready to practice and come into the studio. There may be other people practising in the room already when you arrive.
Next, find a space and roll out your mat. It’s a good idea to take a few breaths, settle into the space and find your focus before you start your practice. You can do this sitting on your mat or standing at the top of your mat. You can even close your eyes for a moment or two.
When you’re ready start your practice, beginning with sun salutations. Other students around you will be moving through their own practice so everyone will be doing different things.
The teacher will move around the room helping you and the other students with their yoga practice individually.
Depending on when you arrive, the teacher may stop the class and you’ll have the opportunity to chant the opening mantra with the group. After the chant pick up your practice again where you left off.
When you have completed your practice make sure you take rest. Get a blanket or pop on some extra layers and lie down on your mat.
What to wear
Wear comfortable clothes that don’t restrict movement – a pair of sweat pants, leggings or shorts and a t-shirt that’s not too baggy. No special footwear is needed as you’ll be barefoot.
It’s normal to get sweaty in a Mysore-style class so you might want to bring a change of clothes to put on after class if you’re not going straight home.
What to bring
If you have a yoga mat bring it along, otherwise we have a few you can borrow in class.
Many students use a yoga mat towel on top of their yoga mat as well. Yoga mat towels can help prevent your feet and hands slipping and sliding as you move through the sequence.
It’s a good idea to bring a hand towel along too. This is useful when you get sweaty and if the teacher is assisting you.
Eating and drinking
Practicing on an empty stomach is best. This may not be possible or appropriate for everyone. If you need to eat, eat something light a few hours before beginning your practice.
Eating for morning mysore class Vs eating for evening mysore class?
It’s easier not to eat if you’re coming to early morning class – it’s just too early! Otherwise try to leave 3-4 hours between food and practice. During this time drink loads of water to stay really well hydrated and if you’re struggling take a handful of nuts or a banana.
Make sure you are well hydrated before your practice and try to avoid drinking water during class. The idea is to build heat in your body during practice. Drinking water has a cooling effect and conflicts with this idea.
Communicate with the teacher
Let the teacher know if you have any health issues, injuries or are pregnant before you begin practice.
Never hesitate to ask the teacher for help. We are here to support you and help you get the most from your practice.
Teaching methods and hands-on assists
In a Mysore-style class you follow Ashtanga yoga’s traditional sequence of postures. Practicing at your own pace, in time with your own breath.
You move through postures independently with the support of the teacher who will offer individual instruction that’s personal to you. The teacher will use a combination of verbal instruction, demonstration and hands-on assists.
Hands-on assists can be very helpful for discovering and exploring a posture. Assists are carefully considered by the teacher and offered to support you. Please let the teacher know if you would prefer not to receive a hands-on assist or become uncomfortable during an assist. We are dedicated to helping you develop and deepen your practice in a way that is best for you.
Care and consideration for yourself and others
Be mindful when entering the Mysore room. If other students have already begun their practice, roll out your mat softly and prepare yourself for your practice quietly.
Keep your voice down and conversation to a minimum. The quietness of the class is intended to help you tune into your own experience and ideally learn more about yourself.
In the same way, if you have begun your practice please make space for any students who arrive after you and move your yoga mat if necessary.
Be aware of your surroundings and practice with care and consideration for yourself and others.
Try to keep stuff around your mat to a minimum - things like purses, phones and especially glasses can get trodden on. Put them on the shelves at the front, the window ledges or right in at the wall out of the way.
Good personal hygiene is super important! Shower before class, keep your yoga mat clean and wash your towels and clothes after every use.
Avoid wearing strong perfumes, body sprays and body lotions.
Help us maintain a meditative quality to the space. Make sure your mobile phone is turned off or on silent.
The sequence and postures don’t change from day to day but we do. Be mindful and acknowledge how you feel and where you are on a particular day. This is this practice, not the postures. Listen carefully to your body. Practice with intelligence and kindness to yourself.
“Progressing” in the practice
In a Mysore-style class you build a relationship with the teacher and work together to develop and deepen your practice.
Please don’t improvise or add postures to your practice by yourself. Everyone’s practice is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the Ashtanga yoga practice.
This is the beauty of Mysore-style. The practice can be tailored to you and your needs. If you have any questions or doubts about what would be best for you to practice, please just ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t do all the postures?
It’s okay to come to class if you can’t do all the postures. In fact, that’s really the point. So that we can help you build your strength, flexibility, technique and experience. The sequence helps too – each posture builds on the postures that have come before so start by giving your attention and energy to the earlier part of the sequence and slowly build from there.
Do I have to practice the whole primary series?
In a word no. Ideally your practice will take you to the posture(s) that you’re working on. As you devote time, energy and patience to those postures your practice will develop and we’ll show you how to start building the postures which follow. Over time you’ll be practicing the entire sequence.
When will I get to do the next posture?
We’re looking at a few things when considering if going on to the next posture(s) is the best thing for your practice. These include being able to maintain steady breathing and concentration as you move through your postures as well developing the strength and flexibility in your body to support them. Doing too much too soon can result in injury, fatigue and frustration!
How long should I lay in relaxation?
We often say this is often the most difficult part of the practice for students! But it’s so important – letting the body, the nervous system and the mind settle and start to assimilate the benefits of all your hard work. A good rule of thumb is about five minutes for very 25 minutes of practice. At the very least try to stay put for 7-10 minutes!
How long should my practice take?
As a beginner starting to learn the postures and build the sequence an hour is probably long enough, physically and mentally. As you begin to build your stamina, strength, flexibility and concentration and more postures are added to your practice, expect your practice to be about an hour and a half.
Should I practice the same thing every time?
Pretty much, yes! In Ashtanga we practice a set sequence of postures so that’s the same postures in the same sequence every time. What changes every time is your experience of them.
Sometimes we’ll give you extra “preps” or suggest you use props to help you work with a particularly challenging posture. We suggest that one practice a week you try without them, just to see what’s happening and if they’re helping at all.
What about practicing on moon days?
Traditionally Ashtanga is practiced six days a week with just the one day off for rest. In this traditional setting there’s no practice on Moon Days (new moon & full moon). Here at MCY while we recognise that our bodies and our practice may feel different on those days we allow students to make the choice that suits them best. Classes run as normal and we’ll be here.
Should I practice during menstruation?
There’s lots of conflicting advice about this. Here at MCY we recognise that every woman is different and trust that you feel able to make the best choice for you.
Our advice, if you choose to practice during these days, is to approach the practice gently, finding a way that feels balancing and supportive to your own body. We suggest you avoid inverted postures and challenging postures that require strong abdominal work for energetic reasons – the natural energy flow during your period is downward-moving and we don’t want to obstruct that.
If you’re not sure please ask us.
I hope you found this useful. If you have any questions email me or find us on social media.
Hope to see you in class soon!
Judi x
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