Plumstead Mysore is an opportunity to learn ashtanga vinyasa in the traditional way. This is a small, friendly shala, and everyone is welcome, including absolute beginners and  those who are neither fit nor flexible. I work adaptively and am happy to modify the practice for different abilities. There are six mat spaces only, so you will receive lots of individual attention.

 

About ashtanga vinyasa
Ashtanga vinyasa is a vigorous, energising form of yoga in which you move dynamically on your own breath. Expect to work hard and sweat. There are set sequences of postures, but these are modifiable – so there is an ashtanga practice for everyone. In the Mysore shala you will see people practising gymnastic-looking postures and people working on very basic sequences.

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While you will develop strength, stamina and flexibility in an ashtanga class, the real intention of the practice is to offer attention to our physical, mental and emotional experience on the mat. In this way, over time, we can begin to recognise and transform unhelpful patterns (samskharas), enabling us to be human in kinder and more functional ways.

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About Mysore practice

In a Mysore-style ashtanga class, everyone works through a set sequence of postures at their own pace, and rather than leading from the front, the teacher helps people individually. This means I am able to get to know you and your practice well and can offer assistance specific to you. If you’re a beginner, you will receive a thorough grounding in all the basics and will be introduced to new postures gradually, as you’re ready for them.

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If you’ve been doing led classes and are not sure which posture comes where, don’t worry; I’m there to help you learn the sequence, and you can ask any time you get stuck. You definitely don’t need to know the series before you join! Experienced Mysori's, I can teach up to the beginning postures of the third series.

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The energy of the group breathing and working together in a Mysore class is amazing, so motivating yourself is easy, and with personalised attention, students are sometimes able to find ways into postures that didn’t seem accessible in a led class. This is an opportunity to explore in depth, with an experienced teacher, and develop all aspects of your practice – not just the physical.

Jess's approach

For me, being an ashtanga teacher is about supporting people within the laboratory of practice. My orientation is somatic, which means that I welcome in everything we encounter through the medium of the body: thoughts, emotions, memories and the dimension of being that is bigger than our own single self. I invite you to listen to your body, honour your experience and understand what happens on your mat in the context of your whole life.

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In ashtanga vinyasa, the set form – the sequence of postures – is the bones of the practice. It acts as a container: a crucible within which we can experiment and explore, and the alchemy of yoga can take place. At the same time, we each arrive on our yoga mat with a unique body, a unique background and unique life circumstances, so there must be flexibility in how we meet with the form so that each of us can enter by a door that makes the practice accessible to us on any given day.

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My intention as a teacher is to be in a dialogue with you, sometimes through words, sometimes through touch or breath or energy. This is a collaborative endeavour. I want your feedback; I want to know what’s happening for you. While I may encourage you if you’re scared, it’s not my job to make you do things you don’t want to do. You are invited to tell me whether you do or don’t want to be adjusted, or if an adjustment is too strong or just not working for you. I want your practice to empower you, and I hope that we can be in creative partnership.

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What students say

“I went into my first Mysore class feeling very unsure and a little intimidated. But after the first session I was hooked. I’ve made progress in a way you just do not in a led class. Jess is always there to give you support in a calm and thoughtful way. She encourages you to try those challenging postures and helps you to understand how you can move towards them, so ultimately you achieve far more than you ever felt you could – but essentially she is always concentrating on you as a a person and your own journey both on the day and in the longer term.”—Lysanne 

“Thank you for Mysore practice today. It was such a pleasure to be taught by you and the assistant teacher. All day I have been smiling.”—Bart

“I did try another shala. It was nice, but it just didn't have that community feel that Jess's Mysore room does. The teacher was lovely, but I didn't feel there was that enquiry with students that I love so much working with Jess. The group is small, and you get a lot more than just the standard adjustments. So, in short, I think we've all been spoiled! Even though it means I have to drive, I've come back to practising with Jess.”—Claire

“The switch from a led to a Mysore class can be daunting. Do I know the sequence? How fast / slow do I go? How many sun salutations did I just do? My mind is constantly wandering. After a couple of sessions though, it becomes clear that the body’s memory holds everything you need. With so much new detail to learn from Jess, and with her amazing adjustments, new ways of being in the body and mind gradually – and amazingly – become possible. Walking out of the class every week I realise this is one of the most important things I do for myself.”—Yana

“Don’t know why I was so scared to try Mysore ... I really enjoyed it!”—Nicola

“I love my yoga practice and I am dedicated to it ... I now realise that Jess has been a big part of it ... I love it so much especially because I worked with Jess. What a privilege that was! The way Jess teaches, the way she explores the body, the way she approached each of us, the way she shared her knowledge with us, the TIME she gives everyone to explore, all that I learned with Jess, all the challenges ... but still not pushing at all ... and to  play and even giggle sometimes. I think I never said thank you enough. Well, Jess, thank you, thank you, thank you!”—Monica

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Time: Saturdays, 8.30–10.30am.

Address: 68 Bramblebury Rd SE18 7TG.

​Cost: £16 regular rate / £14 low income / £10 financial hardship. £5 online (experienced ashtanga vinyasa practitioners only). To decide which rate is appropriate for you, please read the fee policy.

Spaces: 6.
Mats: Please bring your own.

Booking: here.