The Shala is a well-respected yoga centre in West Norwood close to Dulwich and Streatham in South London. It has a reputation for exceptionally high quality yoga classes and a genuine sense of community.
A quiet focused Ashtanga "self-practice" class where yoga becomes a moving meditation connecting mind, body and soul through the breath.
Mysore ashtanga "self practice" truly facilitates yoga as a moving meditation, which will quieten the mind, strengthen the body and awaken the soul. This class is for those who have adequate knowledge of the standing postures of the Ashtanga (Astanga) sequence, as well as anyone who has experience practising in a self-practice class. Students are not "led" by a teacher in the conventional way, instead they lead themselves at their own speed and work with (ujjayi) breathing through a memorised sequence of postures. The teacher opens the class with a chant and then guides and adjusts students individually, giving one-to-one tuition and hands-on adjustments. New postures from the Ashtanga system are explored and added as a student progresses, others may be modified and adapted in certain circumstances depending on the individual.
The self-practice approach has powerful benefits on many levels – increasing energy, strengthening the immune system, maximising body tone, encouraging weight loss, detoxifying and increases all-round health, flexibility, strength and balance. But fundamentally, this practice allows students to progress on a truly personal and much deeper level with few external distractions. The special serenity, quietness and focus of this class enhances a meditative state. The Ashtanga self-practice is also one that liberates you from dependence on a teacher and leads you to tune in to your own body and develop a more profound understanding of yoga. It directs you away from the stresses of life, to a place of stillness, calm and introspection. It is a practice that becomes your own, which can also be developed at home.
As with traditional Ashtanga yoga, this class is taught in a high-heat (but not excessively hot) environment. Classes maintain a heat of around 23–25ºC, which is ideal for safely encouraging flexibility and allowing a gentle detoxification process.
Read more about Mysore classes on our Blog and find out more about our teachers by clicking on the teacher's name on the schedule.
Traditionally, we practice the Ashtanga sequence(s) in our Self-Practice classes. But, if you have a different Self-Practice sequence you would like to do, this is fine also, we just ask that you practice postures you are able to safely within a studio setting amongst other practitioners. If you do prefer to practice your own sequence, we request that you inform your teacher before you begin your practice.
