Except for the Point...

Except for the point, the still point, there would be no dance.

– The Four Quartets, T.S. Eliot

It is early on a cool summer morning – the kind that just makes you want to hit snooze and roll over for another hour. But you are not in bed; you are on your mat. You’ve joined a unique group of individuals world-wide who continue a daily tradition that dates back thousands of years. The tradition known outside of India as Mysore practice.

Your first ujjayi breath summons the spirit of the enigmatic Patanjali. The room, otherwise quiet and empty, is filled with the sound of your breath and is energized. Whether practicing alone at home, with others in a yoga studio or at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute shala in Mysore where often it is so crowded that the yoga mats touch each other, you are transformed.

Mysore practice is a method that makes Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, often considered an extremely vigorous yoga practice, accessible to everyone. The practice is not led by a teacher. The level and number of poses varies with everyone. Without the ‘pressure’ to stay with the teacher’s count, you have the luxury of following your own personal rhythm, maintaining focus by listening to your breath and using the dristi – the still point of concentration. This individualization allows the teacher to work with you one on one. It encourages you to work and explore each pose independently at your current level in the series; to go within. Most importantly, you develop consistency.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the teacher of this method, reminds all of us to “Do your practice and all is coming.” One of the important things that ‘is coming’ is the realization that the practice itself, done with consistency, is the real teacher. This is the magic of Mysore.

Treat yourself to something special – City Yoga Summer 2008 Mysore Practice hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6AM – 8AM.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Thanks to Lars for this beautiful description.