Mysore Intensive

8 weeks in Mysore ! 

This time, I go down the “Intensive" path - 3 practices a day! The way was to start slow & steady; build pace and then slow down towards the end of 8 weeks (much like a sine curve… wave…. a flow. It amazes me to find this concept occur in so many aspect of our lives).

I spent the first 4 weeks of my sadhana focused on building strength/ stamina through the “Primary Series” of the "Pranavysha Series". Yog Acharaya, Vinay Kumar formulated this vinyasa series. He comes from a classical hatha yoga & pranayam lineage and had infused his knowledge and understanding into a unique series, which he calls, “Pranavashya”. www.pranavashya.com

Most practitioners in Mysore are practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa. There is intrigue & curiosity about Pranavashya. Similar in some aspects to Ashtanga Vinyasa. The highlights  of this sequence are:

1. Breath retention is part of the series, incorporated into asana sequence specifically the vinyasa
2. Back bending asanas form a large part of the sequence
3. Unlike Ashtanga, there are no jump-throughs in the vinyasa sequence

This is my second year with the series! For now, this system, resonates with my body-mind complex. Each day in Mysore begins with it. I wake at 5:30 am. Up earlier than required to warm up at home - specific regions in my body need prior attention  (warming/ stretching) before group practice where practice is to a set sequence & pace called a “Mysore Style Practice”.

I am in the 7:15 am batch. Practitioners arrive ahead of time usually, sitting outside the shala sharing or  silently drawing inwards in preparation for the next 2 hours. Often times, there are friendly street dogs, that become “shala-dogs” contributing to the morning ambience - It's quite communal!

Contemplative

7:15am#, the practice begins with the opening prayer! Most practitioners know the sequence, thus its practiced in a “mysore-style” format i.e. practitioners begin on the series (as a self-practice), while Vinay-ji comes around providing guidance, assistance and/or adjustments. New-comers are placed in front. For them, some of the asanas maybe omitted / modified. In time, however, everyone comes up to speed, at least, in knowledge of asana-sequence.

Prana Vashya Primary Series Chart

All days are Mysore-style practices, except Sundays & Wednesdays. On these days, classes are “led- class” i.e. a practice led by Vinay-ji (or  a Teacher Training student). The group breaths, moves and practices in union. Its dynamic, powerful and electrifying – like a tribal yoga dance. If done with correct breaths & vinyasa, the entire series should take no longer than 90 minutes.  I enjoy this format thoroughly even though it's challenging – even “difficult” at times!

The third week into the practice, I add the second part of Intensive i.e.  "Pranayam". At 9 am, we begin with 15-20 minutes of chanting (in a "lead & follow" format). It's always in Sanskrit, and a combinations of hymns & shlokas. Sometimes the significance of what we chant is explained. Coming out of a dynamic asana class, this is a perfect transition - the vibrations sets the tone for a more inward pranayam practice.

The practice is highly customised. Vinay-ji works with each practitioner's breath capacity. He scribbles out a 'ratio-sequence' i.e. counts on inhalation, exhalation & breath-retetion. Each count is a tad more than a second. As we become adept; the ratio-sequence is altered. It's common to remain with the same ratio-sequence right through the time in Mysore. Vinay-ji himself spent an entire year on one ratio-sequence. We use this same ratio-sequence across a variety of "pranayam" styles e.g. free hand, alternate-nostril breathing, bharmari etc. 

Customised pranayam ratio-sequence

Pranayam is a exercise of will ... of determination of “dettaching yourself completely from body and focusing on breath”. For me, it is far from easy and more challenging than asana practice. I practice  with a  4 – 4 – 6 – 2 ratio-sequence (4 inhale - 4 hold breath - 6 exhale - 2 hold breath)

We sit as motionless as we can for 1 hour, immersed and absorbed in the practice. Sometimes; somewhere…. I get glimpses of the depth of pranayam. Fleeting, faraway glimpses; enough to keep me determined on the practice. It's a sublime practice, to watch this ebb & flow.

By 10:30 – 11 :00 am, the morning's practices are over with the closing prayer. 

A quick scooter ride brings me home (en route, a 'badam-milk'). Once home, a wash, food (bowl of oats/ banana/ nuts) to provide nourishment/energy and a quick lie-down until the next afternoon practice.The time between practices is less, thus, food intake is calibrated.

The final part of the Intensive is included on the fifth week. The "Back-Bending" practice begins at 2 pm when the body is warmer. Practitioners arrive a good 15-20 minutes earlier. My assigned batch is the first of the back bending classes so we get a chance to spend time inside the 'shala', absorbing the energies of the space. There is a shivalinga in the shala - a diya flame flickers steadily & continuously, there are flowers. This linga is worshipped! The space feels consecrated to me - it is a temple.  We come to this temple early to partake in the silent yet potent energy of the shala. There are others, who may not understand Hindu customs, yet feel the same universal energy. Practitioners, all in silence begin readying breath, body & mind for the next journey.

It begins with the opening prayer, led sun salutations and a common set of warm-up routines. From here, the practice is highly customised.  Asanas are handed to us based on our strengths & vulnerabilities. Back-bending asanas are inter woven with hip-openers and twists to create balance & harmony and savasana is placed at the end. Performed in the tradition of a  classical hatha-yoga style – each postures is held for 5 – 8 counts following with rest for 3 – 5. We spend an hour and a half at practice.  It is a spiritual journey as it offers time & space within the practice to go deeper; whether breath, body or mind. Oftentimes,  practitioners experience the raw emotions of heart-opening and are emotionally charged from the practice. The practice is deep! 

The day of practices end at 3:30 pm with a well deserved - “el-neer” (or two) and a slow amble to a park. Laying down on earth, heightens the sensations of a back bending practice and provides a connectedness; of rootedness of the spine to the earth! This feels oh-so-good - to be connected to the earth through the back.

"El-neer" - electrolyte replacement

Lying on back, looking at blue skies

Dinner is early in Msyore – between 5 – 5:30 pm. This forms my only substantial meal here, so I eat good – clean  & BIG! On some occasions, a smoothie at Anu/ Ganeshs' is a special treat.

Back home to journal …. get on the internet, watch a movie, listen to music... or just BE until....

the body wants to rest... to sleep.. to re-build & replenish....

I hear the alarm go off!  It's 5:30 am.....

Hari Om!