Mysore Phoenix is a traditional yoga shala (school) dedicated to Ashtanga yoga as taught by Sharath Jois at the Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India. Ashtanga is a traditional practice, shared person-to-person. Shri K. Pattabhi Jois was the founder of Ashtanga yoga. Upon Guruji’s passing in 2009, his grandson, Sharath, took up direction of the Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. Teachers of the Ashtanga lineage go to India to study with Sharath for many years. When he feels the student is ready, he blesses them to teach. People often think that Mysore-style Ashtanga is a class for advanced students. This is not true at all! Anyone can practice Ashtanga yoga -- young, old, flexible, stiff, athletic or completely unathletic, Ashtanga yoga is taught in a way that makes it accessible to all. It doesn't matter if you've never taken a yoga class in your life. At the heart of the practice are three elements: breathing, poses, and gazing points. Long, even breathing calms the nervous system and focuses the mind. Poses strengthen and increase the flexibility of the body. Gazing points are where you look while in each pose; they relax and stabilize the mind. These elements of practice – breathing, poses, and gazing points — anchor practitioners in the present moment. We practice being strong, flexible, diligent, patient, calm, focused, relaxed, and stable because we understand that the cultivation of these qualities will serve us in class, and, more importantly, when we are outside of class.
