I know how intimidating it can be to go to a Mysore class. It can seem a little scary since group classes are way more popular.
It’s totally normal to feel nervous about it. You’re not alone. I felt the same way, so I want to share my story with you to ease your fears a little…
I practiced led for three years before I finally stepped foot in a Mysore class. The thought was terrifying to me.
My main concern was that I would forget postures, or do something out of tradition and look stupid. I called at least three studios and asked them how it all worked. I was told,
You come in and do your practice up to where you’ve been stopped. If you don’t know your posture, then you’ll wait at the top of your mat, and someone will come and help you.
Sounds simple, but being the total freaked out newbie that I was, that explanation wasn’t comforting enough for me. How would I know where to stop?
All these thoughts started kicking up in my mind:
Do I just come in and lay my mat down while people are practicing? What if I don’t know the mantra? How do I know where to stop if it’s my first time? Do I go through the whole primary series and then someone comes and tells me? What if I stand at the top of my mat and no one helps me?
Instead of just going in clueless, I took some precautions. I have this thing where I need to be totally prepared, so here’s how I handled it:
1. I made the decision to stop going to my led primary series class.
2. I printed out a grid of the postures to study at home.
3. I woke up early before work, and practiced them on my own for a month. I was obsessed and would recite them in my head when I went to sleep.
4. Once I finally memorized the practice, I knew it was time to go try some Mysore style!
I bring this up because last week one of my students arrived at my class early, and she had a lot of questions for me about Mysore style.
I remember clearly how confused I was, so I’m always super conscious of how I explain it. I want everyone to know that you don’t need to know a damn thing. You can show up totally clueless and it’s totally ok!
If you’re story is similar to mine; you’ve been wanting to go, but dreading it. Or, you want to know exactly what to expect, here’s everything you need to know for your first time…
PIN IT ⇓
1. You don’t need to know any postures at all. When you show up to a mysore shala, the teacher will always ask your experience. If you have never been before, even if you’ve never been to a led class, you’ll have personal attention, and taught from the ground up until you memorize the practice.
2. Check the website for beginners classes or call about them before you show up. Most Mysore studios require a beginners course, or a specific time that first timers should show up. This is so they can give you personal attention to the best capacity, and also so you show y0ur commitment to learning the practice.
3. Be prepared to start small. When you’re in a led class, you are usually taught for an hour or over, and taught all different types of postures with modifications. Mysore isn’t like that. You’re taught to memorize your practice, so you learn step by step. The first day you’ll probably be taught how to breathe correctly, and Surya Namaskara. Then, you’ll add postures every time you return.
4. Other people will be doing their own thing. A Mysore practice can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your practice. When you’re just starting out, your practice will be under an hour since you’re adding posture by posture. Practitioners can show up and take practice any time during the time frame given as long as they can start and end their practice on time. When you show up, there will probably be people already practicing, and people will be coming and going as you’re being taught.
5. Trust your teacher. Every teacher is different, but the method for the practice stays the same. If you’ve been taking a led primary series class, chances are you’ve been doing every single posture. That’s totally cool in a led class. In Mysore, the dynamic changes a bit. The teacher adds on posture by posture until they feel you’ve reached a point where you’re struggling. I was stopped at Marichyasana D for 6 months, and Supta Kurmasana for about a year! Even if you know you’re able to do some of the postures that come later in the series, you might not be practicing there right away. This is a great way to practice non-attachment. Trust that your teacher knows what is best for you and enjoy the practice.
6. Don’t drink the water. Try to get in the mindset that yoga is different than exercise. One of the differences is that you will be asked to not drink water during your practice even if you sweat. In the beginning, your body might not be used to this, so of course drink water if you’re feeling tired or dizzy, or if you have a medical condition. As time goes on, you’ll build up the endurance to not drink water during practice. The reason for this is that you’re building an internal fire (agni), which burns toxins in your body, and purifies your mind when you practice. Water will shock the system and stop the detoxification process. It’s SO important to hydrate before and all throughout the day so your body can handle this during your practice.
7. Do your best to not compare yourself to others. Every single persons ability and body is different. Some people are uber flexible, but they’re floppy and not strong. Some people are super strong and handstading all over the place, but can’t touch their toes for the life of them. You have no idea how long someone has been practicing or their story. Everyone has struggles and strengths, so just be present in your own practice.
Everyone is taught differently as well. The teacher will decide what is best for each student depending on the physical and emotional patterns they observe. You might notice that your practice looks different than someone else’s. Why was one person moved forward in their practice, but you weren’t? Try to let this all go. Trust that your teacher is doing the right thing for each student and that there is a purpose for everything. Keep your eye on your own practice, and you’ll be all good!
8. Emotions are awesome. Embrace them. Starting a mysore practice is a brave and long journey. You’re getting out of your comfort zone, and making the choice to own up to your fears, and let go of what causes suffering. The conditioned beliefs in our mind are like a poison, and through yoga we purge them. This is never an easy process. You’ll notice phases where you become extra emotional. You might start remembering old memories that upset you, you might be extra irritable, angry, or sad. You might cry a lot. If it hurts on the way in, it will hurt on the way out too. This is the body and mind being purified.
Do your best to sit with these emotions. I know it doesn’t feel comfortable, but the best thing you can do for yourself is let yourself feel and experience. Like everything, they will pass. During this time, use the support of the community.
What do you think? Did this clear things up for you? Are you ready and excited to try mysore style now?
Don’t have Mysore in your area? Here are some suggestions:
If you’re aren’t able to make it to a yoga shala for mysore practice, but still want to learn, you’re in luck. There are several ways to go about it.
1. I think it’s super important to work with a teacher if you’re just starting out. You can get books or PDF downloads, but to learn all of the transitions and elements of the full practice is best with a teacher. If you’re interested, you can book a private session with me right here!
2. There are several books that can help and teach the practice. You can find them on my resource page here. Just scroll to the bottom!
Do you remember your first time to a mysore shala? What was your experience? Was it anything like what you expected? share in the comments!
To Open Hearts & Happy Thoughts,
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