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Why Mysore Ashtanga Style Yoga is so special

Writer's picture: Anna-Karina SchmittAnna-Karina Schmitt

Leaving El Hierro Once Again, With More Asanas on the Horizon


A year ago, I started practicing the traditional Mysore-style Ashtanga yoga with Maria from IntoYogaPath here on the beautiful island of El Hierro. Little did I know how transformative this journey would be—and how addictive!


One of the things I absolutely love about this practice is how quickly you can see progress. In the beginning, every session feels like a breakthrough. You discover that you can reach just a little further, hold a pose a little longer, or find new stability where you didn’t expect it. But the real magic lies in how the practice evolves.


Each day, the Asanas (yoga postures) feel different. Practicing in the morning versus the evening, or after work versus before work, brings out entirely new sensations. It’s like a fresh perspective every time you roll out your mat. This mindfulness and connection to the present moment are at the heart of Mysore-style yoga.



Independence and Empowerment


Unlike many other yoga styles where you follow a teacher’s movements in sync with a group, Mysore-style empowers you to flow at your own rhythm. You follow your breath and the traditional sequence of postures, progressing at your own pace. It’s a practice that builds independence, both mentally and physically.




When you first start, the full primary series might seem like an impossible thing (unless you’re a gymnast!). But you get there little by little. Instead of rushing, you focus on the foundation, repeating certain postures until your strength and flexibility naturally lead you to the next step. This approach is brilliant because everything builds on what came before. So the practice in itself prepares for what is coming up. And of course it always helps to have a guiding teacher with you! With patience and consistency, the practice becomes a deeply rewarding journey—no matter where you’re starting from.


Ashtanga yoga teaches a valuable life lesson: you can achieve incredible things through dedication and effort. It’s a lifetime practice, always evolving, and never boring.


The Health Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga for the Nervous System

As someone living with an autoimmune condition like multiple sclerosis, which directly affects the nervous system, Yoga in general but Ashtanga specifically because I tend to do a lot of it recently, does help me a lot with my overall well-being. This practice stimulates the nervous system by promoting better coordination between the brain and body through deliberate, controlled movements. The steady rhythm of breath combined with the physical effort helps regulate stress levels, improve focus, and boost overall neurological health. By reactivating dormant pathways in the body, it creates a sense of balance and stability, countering the disconnection often caused by modern lifestyles or chronic conditions. It’s not just exercise—it’s a tool for realigning and healing from the inside out.



Connection and Focus


What I love most about Mysore-style yoga is its ability to help you connect with yourself and your surroundings. You share the space with others in the class, but your focus is entirely your own. After long hours working at a computer, this is amazing to disconnect and get your physical body back to shape and aligned. But especially in preparation for freediving, the style teaches you to focus and your body gets super flexible for streamline positions, or deep diving when you want the ocean to let your chest compress and relax through it, the monofin technique with that flexability that comes from the lower back, and so much more! I can really feel the difference in all aspects.



The Fun (and Acrobatic!) Side


Let’s not forget the acrobatic aspect—it’s so much fun! Transitions between postures often involve playful jumps, or arm balances.


But there is so much more like headstands, balancing postures, or twists with crazy grips where you are deeply hugging yourself - a lot of it seems impossible, but it is not. The most inspiring part is discovering that, with practice and patience, your body is capable of so much more than you ever imagined.





What’s Next?


As I leave El Hierro once again, I carry this practice with me to Switzerland — not just on the mat, but in how I approach freediving training and for my upcoming Yoga classes.


Stay tuned, I’ll be mixing some Ashtanga-inspired flows into my upcoming classes. Namaste and see you on the mat or in the water!

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Anna-Karina Schmitt

Athlete | Mentoring | Yoga | Freediving

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