MYSORE. the yoga and the india.

Mysore-style yoga is the traditional form of Ashtanga yoga. You learn one pose at a time of a pre-scripted sequence at the instructors discretion. Think of it as a sandwich: first come the sun salutations (A&B), then the standing postures, then which ever series you are working on (there are six, in practice), and finish up with the finishing postures. The poses are connected with the ujjayi breath and vinyasas.

I have been addicted to this specific form of Ashtanga since I was forced into a class at the yoga shack in Reno, NV and found it so incredibly frustrating/challenging/ridiculous that my Type-A personality SCREAMED at me. Naturally, I went back for more.

Almost 1.5 years later, I have created a personal connection with my practice so deep, I crave my 6/7 (ish...) days of asana practice/personal growth.

My primary series is a big bear hug of comfort and meditation (which still challenging with room to grow) on moondays, Fridays, and days of physical/mental heaviness. My second series has finally been sketched out and is gathering shadings with every practice. I patiently anticipate third series in the coming future. It's beautiful, really.

This past week I returned from a month long adventure in Mysore, India, where I learned more about myself, life, humanity, spirituality, ETC than I could have ever imagined. I met incredible people and experienced life changing events...I look forward to returning again soon.

I'm going to spend the next few blogs reflecting and recounting my time there, more for my own benefit than any one else's. The places I saw, the places I need to remember to return...you know. All of that fun stuff ;) Hopefully you will get to travel to Mysore too, and perhaps use some of my memories as a guide line for making your own....