FAQ
What language are the classes?
Having recently arrived in Warsaw and English being my first language, I have yet to gain the fluidity to teach in Polish. So even though my Polish is pretty fluent, it will be a mixture of English and Polish considering what I need
to explain.
What to bring / how to prepare?
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Ideally bring your own clean yoga mat, but I can lend you one of mine for the first few classes.
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Wear some comfortable clothes.
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It is best to practice on an empty stomach, at least 3 hours before a normal sized meal, and best not to eat for at least 45 mins after class.
New to Ashtanga / what to expect ?
Mysore Classes are self-practice classes are quite different to a normal yoga class. Everyone does their own practice, individually, at their own pace. The teacher will give you one posture at a time, in accordance to your ability and consistency to practice. There are @ 49 postures (And 35 Vinyasas) in the Primary Series alone! So there are many exciting postures awaiting us, but all in good time. The sequences has been specifically designed so that the completion of each posture is important, and often acts in preparation for future postures. What is most important in Ashtanga is to focus on the breath, drishti, and to create an awareness of balance between effort and surrender in the posture we find ourselves in, so we can reap the healing benefits of them.
There is an 'Introductory Course' I offer for beginners which is very helpful in understanding the foundations, but you are welcome to start straight inside a Mysore Class :)
Led Classes are vocally led by the Teacher, and it's a great way to understand and connect with the breath count, and flow in the practice. Though a certain level of understanding and commitment should be with the student already. Depending on the Level of Class it is, it would be advisable to already be practicing into sitting poses of the Primary Series before you join. In a Led Class, you stop at the last posture you normally practice to, sit on your mat and wait till the class is finished, to rejoin for the closing sequence.
Who can do Ashtanga?
Absolutely anyone can do Yoga. No matter what your age, fitness of flexibility we can always work around each individuals unique constitution. Considering Ashtanga Mysore depends on your memory of the sequence, and it's true benefits are experienced through consistency, whether it be 2 or 6 days a week, a commitment to the practice is necessary.
If you have pain or an injury?
It all depends on the type and level of pain or injury you are dealing with. If you are able to still go about your day, or you have had it for some time, and you have an understanding of what you are dealing with then I am happy to talk more about it, and you should be able to do the classes easily. I am here to assist in the best way I can, so we can come up with adjustments that will help you. The beauty of Mysore Self Practice classes is that there is space and freedom to work with a more individual approach. No fear - you have come to the right place :)