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| Ashtanga Yoga In The Mysore Tradition |
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How many times a week should I practice Ashtanga Yoga?
Traditionally, Ashtanga Yoga is a daily discipline with full moon and
new moon days taken as rest days. It is also recommended that women do
not practice for the first 2-3 days of menstruation. I have found that
the students who practice six times a week tend to be the ones who are
happiest with their practice, make the most progress, and continue to
improve. However, any amount of practice is better than none. Many
students benefit from practicing twice a week or combining other
physical activities, such as running or weight lifting with a little
Ashtanga. My hope is that over time, the student will fall in love with
the system and naturally adopt the traditional practice of six days per
week.
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What is the Mysore class?
Named after the city of Mysore, India where Ashtanga Yoga Guru PK Jois
has been teaching for decades. Every student is given a series of yoga
poses to practice that are to be done from memory. Each student is
working at their own pace and the class is mostly silent. The teacher
keeps track of all the students and gives appropriate help with
adjustments, modifications and advice.
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Why is the evening Mysore class 2 1/2 hours long?
Once you know the
approximate length of your practice you can show up in class at any
point within that 150 minute time frame. There is no strict starting
time except what is convenient to you unless your teacher has given you
a specific time to come. For example if your practice is 1 hour long
you can show up anytime between 5:30PM and 7:00PM so that you have
enough time to finish.
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Can I bring a cheat sheet to class?
No.
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How soon before I buy a mat if I am a complete beginner?
Preferably come to your
first class with your own mat! It is a small expense in order to secure
your cleanliness and protect your health.
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What kind of mat?
Any mat that you are comfortable with will do. I highly recommend the
black mats found on this website under the Mats and Rugs section
because they offer more cushion for jumps and last longer.
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What is a Mysore rug?
A rug is a nice addition
to your mat if you sweat a lot and start sliding midway through your
practice. Otherwise the mysore rug is what you wrap your sticky mat in
so that you can store it away safely in the big closet with all the
other failed sporting goods purchases made in the past.
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How much water should I drink during practice?
Proper hydration is very
important, especially in Houston. Traditionally no water is drunk
during Ashtanga practice. Come well hydrated and also drink plenty
afterwards. In my experience as a teacher water is mainly a way to get
a break from the practice. If there are special needs please discuss it
with your teacher but avoid putting a water bottle next to your mat and
pausing every six breaths to drink.
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Can I bring my cellphone?
Only if you have a
bluetooth headset, talk in a whisper and make wild arm gestures. Please
turn off your cellphone during class or even better leave it in your
car or at home so you do not forget to turn it off. If you have a grave
emergency and need to be by the phone maybe yoga should not be on the
menu that day. Or maybe some quiet practice at home is in order. That
might help you feel better while not disrupting the other students in
class.
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What about toweling off the sweat?
That is part of the
winning trifecta: water bottle, cellphone and towel. If you have all
three your are an accomplished non practitioner. Towelling off between
every pose because you are made of sugar and you might melt, drinking
your way to hyponatremia and keeping an ear out for when the cell will
vibrate in your handbag will assure your yogic progress. You should use
a towel to wipe the space around your mat if you sweat profusely.
Otherwise leave it at home, Linus.
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Can I eat before class?
Try not to eat for at least 3 hours before class.
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