Halifax Ashtanga Yoga Shala


Mysore etiquette

  • You are welcome to the Ashtanga Yoga Shala Mysore Class. Please respect the student-teacher relationship and try to follow any request from your teacher.
  • New students, or those new to Ashtanga will be taught the sequence in order over their first month. It is recommended that new students attend regularly for that first month in order to facilitate this process. While learning the sequence the students practice may be much shorter than they are used to. The length of the practice will change over time.
  • If you practice Mysore classes at another studio, on your first day of practice at the Shala please practice the primary series. 
  • Please respect and follow the traditional Ashtanga method as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and your teacher. Please do not add, skip or in other ways deviate from the traditional Ashtanga sequence of yoga asanas unless acknowledged or requested by your teacher. If following the traditional method is not possible for you, talk to your teacher to request guidance.
  • Please stay on your own mat and refrain from assisting other practitioners.
  • Please do not talk in the practice space. Important questions can be asked of the teacher in a quiet voice, but otherwise respect the people practicing around you and remain silent.
     
  • When setting up your mat, and getting props please do so with awareness and minimize the disturbance to the other students.
     
  • Please keep the prop room door closed at all times, and do you best to remove things quietly out of respect for those practicing near the room.
  • Please leave your shoes in the cubbies by the door and your bag and clothes in the dressing room. Any small personal valuables can be placed on the steps at the rear of the of the practice space provided they do not impede the ability of the teacher to get to each student. Please turn off your mobile phone, or better yet, do not bring it to the Shala.
  • Respect your limits. Acknowledge that your body and mind will feel different every day; listen to what your body tells you and practice in your own time following your own breath.
  • Practice with care and consideration towards yourself and others.
  • Refrain from eating at least 2 hours prior to and 30 minutes after your practice. Drink plenty of water after your practice, but do not take water bottles into the practice space.
  • Personal hygiene is an integral part of practicing yoga. Please ensure that you and your gear are clean.
  • If you feel emotionally upset during or after a yoga session (joy, sadness, irritation, etc.) then accept the feelings and bid them welcome. If this is difficult, you are encouraged to speak to your teacher about it.
  • Do not underestimate the effect of Ashtanga yoga. It is a very effective self-therapy for personal development - physically, mentally and spiritually. Consider a balanced practice integrating activation and release, engagement and softening, as the means to your progress.
  • No Mysore classes on New and Full moon. For a complete list of moon days, please see: Moon days
    Students are still welcome to Mysore at the Shala on Moon days, but will be asked to do restorative poses only.