Students of different experience levels practice together in a calm, focused environment.
Mysore-Style Ashtanga Yoga · Maitland, Florida
Yoga taught one person at a time—in a room full of people.
Mysore is a deeply personal way to learn Ashtanga Yoga. You practice the portion of the sequence you have been taught, at a pace that is appropriate for your body and experience, while your teacher guides you individually.
Complete beginners are welcome. No memorization is required.
The teacher circulates through the room and works directly with each student.
You are not expected to match the speed, range of motion or practice of anyone beside you.
New movements and postures are introduced gradually as you become ready for them.
What is Mysore?
The room may look different. The teaching is more personal.
Mysore is not an open practice where you are left alone to figure
everything out.
The name Mysore comes from Mysore, India, where the modern Ashtanga Yoga tradition developed and where generations of students have traveled to study it.
A Mysore room may look unusual the first time you enter because the entire class is not moving through the same postures together. Different students may be working on different parts of the Ashtanga curriculum, moving at different speeds and practicing for different lengths of time.
What looks independent is actually a highly attentive form of teaching.
Each student practices the portion of the sequence they have learned. The teacher moves throughout the room, offering reminders, verbal instruction, physical guidance when appropriate, modifications, explanations and ongoing education.
You may pause to ask a question, repeat a movement, rest, change a posture or receive help immediately. You are not required to keep up with a class, imitate another student or perform a posture simply because everyone else has reached it.
The practice is gradually shaped around your experience, body, needs and understanding. As you become more familiar with what you have learned, you begin to need fewer reminders. New postures are then introduced little by little.
You become more independent over time, but you are always being taught.
Two levels of guidance
Mysore and Beginner Mysore: what is the difference?
Both take place in the same room with the same teacher. The difference is the amount and type of support you receive.
Beginner Mysore
Beginner Mysore is your entry point when the practice is completely new. Beginners arrive at a designated starting time so the teacher can devote focused attention to introducing the foundations.
- Arrive at the beginner start time listed on the schedule
- Expect approximately 45 minutes to one hour initially
- Learn how to coordinate breathing and movement
- Begin with a short, manageable portion of the sequence
- Receive repeated instructions whenever you need them
- Learn modifications appropriate for your body
- Ask questions as they arise during the practice
Regular Mysore
Once the foundations and your portion of the sequence feel more familiar, you can attend during the larger Mysore practice window. You continue to receive guidance, but you no longer need one designated beginner arrival time.
- Arrive at a suitable time within the Mysore window
- Practice the sequence you have already been taught
- Receive reminders whenever you forget what comes next
- Ask questions and receive help in the moment
- Continue using modifications when appropriate
- Learn new postures gradually when the time is right
- Adjust the length of your practice when needed
Same room. Same teacher. Same personal approach. Different levels of
support depending on where you are in the learning process.
Your first practice
You begin with less—not everything at once.
Your first practice is intentionally manageable. You learn a small amount, repeat it until it becomes familiar and add more only when you are ready.
1
Arrive at the beginner time
A specific arrival time allows the teacher to focus closely on you as you begin.
2
Meet your teacher
Share relevant injuries, concerns, previous experience and what you hope to gain.
3
Learn the foundation
Begin working with breathing, basic movements and the opening portion of the sequence.
4
Practice with support
Your teacher stays nearby, repeats instructions and helps you organize each step.
5
Return and build gradually
Repetition creates familiarity. More is added as your body and mind absorb what you have learned.
No memorization required
You will never be handed a sequence and expected to figure it out.
Your teacher will guide you through each step and remind you what comes next for as long as you need those reminders.
There is no deadline for becoming independent and no test you must pass. Some students remember quickly. Others need more time, repetition or physical prompting. Both are completely normal.
In fact, we encourage you to enjoy being a beginner. It is a special period when everything is new and you have permission to be curious, ask questions, forget what comes next and receive help.
Why this method works
Personal instruction without losing the energy of community.
Mysore combines the attention of private instruction with the consistency, shared focus and encouragement of practicing alongside other students.
Immediate feedback
Ask questions while you are moving, when the experience is still clear and your teacher can see exactly what is happening.
No pressure to keep up
You are never rushed into the next posture because the rest of the room has moved forward.
Meaningful modifications
The teacher can adapt the practice around mobility, strength, coordination, pregnancy, injury or other physical considerations.
Real skill development
You learn how to move, breathe, organize your body and understand the purpose behind what you are practicing.
Growing independence
You gradually learn to rely on your own attention while still having a knowledgeable teacher available whenever needed.
A sustainable ritual
The familiar sequence creates structure while still allowing the practice to respond to how you feel on a particular day.
Moving into regular Mysore
A Mysore class is a practice window—not one required starting time.
Once you are comfortable with the foundations and the portion of the sequence you have learned, you can begin arriving during the regular Mysore window.
You do not have to arrive when the room opens or remain until it closes. Your arrival time and practice length depend on what you have learned, your schedule and what your body needs that day.
You simply need to allow enough time to complete your practice before the Mysore window ends.
Mysore compared with a led class
Both are valuable—but the learning experience is different.
In a led class, the teacher directs the entire room through the same sequence. In Mysore, the teacher works with each student individually inside the shared class environment.
Swipe left or right to compare both class formats.
| Class experience | Mysore-style class | Conventional led class |
|---|---|---|
| Pacing | You move at your own pace. | The teacher sets one pace for the entire room. |
| Sequence | You practice the portion of the curriculum you have been taught. | Everyone is generally guided through the same planned sequence. |
| Questions | You can ask questions and receive feedback while the experience is happening. | Questions may need to wait until the class has ended. |
| Modifications | Modifications can become an integrated part of your personal practice. | General options may be offered to the room as time allows. |
| Progression | New material is introduced individually and gradually. | The full class usually moves into each new posture together. |
| Teacher relationship | The teacher learns your practice and continues educating you over time. | Instruction is primarily directed to the group as a whole. |
Is Mysore right for you?
This practice is not reserved for advanced yogis.
The person beside you may have practiced for many years, while someone on the other side of the room may have started only a few weeks ago.
You are not expected to know what they know or do what they do. Every experienced Mysore student was once a beginner who did not know the sequence, the breathing or what came next.
The practice is personal by design.
Begin with personal guidance and no expectation that you already understand yoga.
There is no single person to imitate and no room-wide pace you must follow.
Rebuild gradually instead of immediately trying to recreate an older version of your practice.
Receive individualized modifications and learn how to work more intelligently with your body.
Refine technique, deepen understanding and receive continued individual education.
Develop a personal movement ritual that can evolve with your body and life.
Connected to the source
Learn Mysore-style Ashtanga from a teacher who has lived the practice.
The quality of a Mysore program depends heavily on the teacher’s ability to observe, understand and educate each student over time.
The Yoga Shala was founded by Krista Shirley, who began studying in Mysore, India in 2005 and received Level II Authorization in 2009. Her teaching is rooted in the traditional Ashtanga method while remaining responsive to the actual person standing in front of her.
At The Yoga Shala, the goal is not to force every body into one predetermined expression of the practice. It is to help each student develop strength, mobility, awareness, understanding and a lasting relationship with movement.
Questions about Mysore
What new students usually want to know
Do I have to memorize the Ashtanga sequence?
No. Your teacher will show you each step, repeat instructions and remind you what comes next for as long as needed. The sequence becomes familiar gradually through repetition.
Can I attend if I have never practiced yoga?
Yes. Beginner Mysore is specifically designed for people who are new to Ashtanga or completely new to yoga. You will begin with foundational breathing and movements rather than being asked to complete an entire sequence.
Will everyone else in the room already know what they are doing?
Students will have different levels of experience. Some may have practiced for years, while others may be only a few classes ahead of you. You are not expected to copy them or keep up with them.
Is Mysore basically a self-guided yoga class?
No. Students gradually develop independence, but the teacher is actively observing the room, giving instruction, answering questions, offering modifications and continuing to educate each student.
How long will my first practice be?
Most new students should allow approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Your active practice may be shorter because the first session includes instruction, discussion and time to become familiar with the foundations.
Can the practice be modified for injuries or pain?
The individual format makes it possible to adapt movements, postures and practice length around many physical considerations. Tell your teacher about relevant injuries, medical conditions or concerns before beginning.
When can I move into the regular Mysore program?
There is no formal test. Your teacher will help you recognize when the foundations and your portion of the sequence are familiar enough for you to begin using the more flexible Mysore arrival window.
Your first practice is not a test. It is an introduction.
Come exactly as you are. We will show you where to begin, guide you one step at a time and continue supporting you as your practice becomes your own.
Questions before beginning? Text us at 407-506-4626. The Yoga Shala is located at 140 Circle Drive #4 in Maitland, Florida.
