Sunday, December 20, 2009

My adventure into yoga and Bhakti Yoga Studio's Mysore One Month Experience

About 3 weeks ago I started Ashtanga yoga in the Mystore style classes at the Bhakti Yoga Studio at 288 Marion Street. It has been wonderful. It's taking me exactly into the realm that I want to go: de-stressing relaxation, exercise and thinking in a better philosophical space. It's not hot yoga - which personally I couldn't take the heat. But if I remember correctly the idea is to create inner heat to rid my body of toxins - and as my friends, you'll know that there are a few of those. If time permitted I would increase my practices but so far it has just been on Saturday mornings, and Tasha has accompanied me for most of them. A nice father-daughter joint experience! We bought a 12 pass for $120 as I recall, so quite reasonable. I noticed though that they have an activity coming in January to raise the awareness in Winnipeg of Ashtanga yoga in the traditional Mysore style and I thought some of you might be interested in that. Sounds to me like a good way to try it out, or you could invest less time as I have. The less time meanss it will take me longer to master - but I have the rest of my life to learn and I'm hoping to be around for quite a while. If you want to learn more, here is the article from their website, and you can also get more information about the Bhakti Yoga Studio and what it has to offer on their website at http://www.bhaktiyogastudio.ca .


Mysore One Month Experience


An invitation to welcome the New Year with new knowledge and awareness. To all yoga students, aspiring or experienced who are new to Mysore style classes, we are extending an invitation for you to come and learn the methods of Ashtanga yoga in the traditional Mysore style.


In Mysore style classes, each student is addressed individually by the teacher and taught the sequence of poses, how to breath fully, and other methods for calming and focusing the mind. Students learn through practice, repetition, and remembering what they are taught. Anyone can learn yoga in a Mysore class. No experience required. It is easy to learn and offers many benefits. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are all imporved through regular and consistent practice.


Developing a practice is a process which can come about in one way only. By practicing! There is nothing advanced about a Mysore class, beginners are welcome. Students with more developed practices, who may be practicing more advanced postures and techniques began with no pracitce themselves. They learned little by little. Anything is possible if you practice. Go to the FAQ link for more information about Mysore style.


We are not promoting a competition over 30 consecutive days but, are inviting you to set the intention to come and practice yoga regularly over a month and see for yourself what the potentials of a regular practice are. We are encouraging students to attend Mysore practice 3-5 days each week over the period of one month. There are also classes on the weekend which Mysore program students may attend. They are led classes where the teacher counts, breath by breath, through the postures and movements of either the full Primary Series or the first half of the Primary Series in a steady and rhythmic flow. All are encouraged to attend one of these weekend classes each week.


Regular practice works slowly, drop by drop, moving one toward consistency and balance in all ways.


The Mysore Program classes are Monday to Friday mornings from 6:30am to 9:30am, Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00pm to 6:45pm, Friday evening from 5:30pm to 7:15pm, and Saturday morning from 9:30am to 12:15pm. A led 1/2 Primary Series class will be held Saturdays at 12:30 to 1:45pm. Bhakti Yoga Studio Mysore Program pass is valid for all of these classes. It is not valid for any other classes listed on the schedule. Begin anytime in January and pay only $100 for a one month Mysore pass.


There are two other studios in Winnipeg where you can learn Ashtanga yoga in the traditional Mysore format. We are all participating in the Mysore One Month Experience.