It is Ashtanga Yoga how it has always been taught in Mysore India. Also known as Mysore Yoga. You are given a posture at a time and learn the sequence this way. You are encouraged to practice on your own and the teacher guides or assists you individually in your practice rather than leading a class to do everything together.
Why is it so early?
Originally yoga was practiced in the morning because it is cooler in the early morning in India. However, as it is best to practice on an empty stomach, early morning is the ideal time because your stomach is empty when you have just got up. It also makes it easy to fit your yoga in before work, and everywhere is peaceful and quiet in the early morning. our mind is quieter first thing as well and It also forms a good habit of getting up and doing your practice at the start of the day.
Do I have to know all of the Primary series?
No, You don’t need to know any of it. The teacher will give you postures as and when you are ready for them, usually when you can do them, and when you can remember the vinyasa count and the order of the postures. This way you build up your postures slowly and will always remember them. You will learn the primary series over time and in your own time.
Don’t you have to be young, thin, flexible and very advanced to do self practice?
No! This method is suitable for complete beginners and people of all ages and body type! This is the beauty of this type of class, it is suitable for everyone, you get as much time as you need to work at the postures and then the practice becomes your own.
It is essentially a breath practice, so flexibility comes over time.
Do I need any special equipment?
Not really, just a yoga mat and maybe a block and a strap. Although these are available at the studio, you may want to get your own for hygiene reasons. For online home practice, a blanket, book or even a tie will do instead of yoga equipment.
But the class is two hours long, do I really have to stay for two hours ?
The class time is two hours but most people are finished after an hour and a half unless they are working on certain postures or combining two series. Certainly, at first you will only be practicing for about one hour at most. The whole primary series should take an hour and a half with Savasana.
