Mysore class can look a bit chaotic
This is the final installment of a four part series of articles about Mysore classes.
Most people that I talk to that have not been to a Mysore class already find the thought of going to one scary. I believe that this is because a Mysore class is new to them and they do not know what a Mysore class is; the benefits of a Mysore class are and the etiquette to follow while in the class.
In the previous article we talked about the etiquette to follow in a Mysore style class.
In this article we will talk about some of the objections that people have to going to a Mysore style class.
The complete list of articles is:
- Part I – What is a Mysore Class
- Part II – What are the benefits of a Mysore class
- Part III – What is the Etiquette in a Mysore class
- Part IV – Yes but . . .
Part IV Yes but . . .
You read all of that stuff about what a Mysore class is and all of the benefits and how good it is for you but you know what, you still have these concerns. So lets try and deal with the concerns.
I do not know the sequence of postures well enough – Everyone, even me, forgets what the next posture is from time to time. The teacher is there to help you out with this and will appreciate that you have asked for assistance. While I was in Goa, I forgot what the next posture was several times and Nancy and Jason very quickly and willingly told what the next posture was. Depending on the teacher there may be cheat sheets available that will help you to remember which posture is next. While I was in Goa India the lady behind me was brand new to the Ashtanga style of yoga and she was getting all of the assistance she need to move forward at a comfortable pace.
My own practice is not good enough – Everyone’s practice is at a different level of development. This is true in a led class as well as a Mysore class. The benefit of the Mysore class is that you are practicing at your level of ability. The other people in the room are focused on their practice and will not notice how well or how poorly you are doing your practice. They are probably so focused on their practice that they hardly notice that you are there.
I am not flexible enough– This is a common complaint for not doing yoga let alone a Mysore class. See the answer above. Again you work on your practice to the best of your ability and the teacher will come around and offer your assistance, guidance and modifications with a particular pose. This is not something that the teacher can not do in a led class.
I can not do all of the postures – For the postures that you can not do the teacher will recommend modifications or they may permit you to skip that particular pose. You are not expected to be able to do all of the postures. The reason you come to a yoga class is to learn how to do the postures and to improve your ability to do it. A Mysore style class does not require or expect you to be able to do all of the postures. If you were able to do them all, then the teacher would be bored and have nothing to do.
The fact that you can not do some of the postures will give the teacher an opportunity to give you some assistance and as a result you will both be happy.
I will look stupid – Ah this is a tough one. Everyone wants to look good. They do not want to embarrass themselves in front of the rest of the class. The thing to remember here is that once a person gets started on their practice they focus becomes so intense that they will hardly notice that you are there.
And now
Now that you know what a Mysore style Ashtanga yoga class is, what some of the benefits of the style are and how to behave in the class, come on out and try a class.
