© Laurent Poisson
Traditional Aṣṭāṅga Yoga Mysore classes are based on an autonomous practice and on a one-to-one relationship between the student and the teacher.
After connecting our breaths and energetical vibrancies through the opening mantra chant, every student practices individually at their own pace.
© Ola Gracjasz
The teacher is present to hold the space and to accompany the student through their practice. Every pose can be modified according to the specificity of the student’s current needs.
The hands-on-adjustments can be a support to create more space in the physical and energetical body, but they should help build trust between the student and their teacher.
I am teaching traditional Aṣṭāṅga Yoga in the way it has been transmitted by Sri Pattabhi Jois to my main teacher Petri Räisänen in the 1990's. Thanks to Petri’s teachings and our regular collaborations I’ve been starting to include Finnish healing techniques in my hands-on-adjustments.
My vision of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga is therapeutical: I try to understand the needs of every individual student and offer them a space to breath, calm down their nervous system and create self-awareness and acceptance of where and how they are, leading the way to clarity while leaving judgment aside.
Tristana refers to the integration of three essential elements in the practice: Ujjayi (deep, steady breathing), Dṛṣṭi (focused gaze), and Bandha (energy locks).
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| Dṛṣṭi | Dṛṣṭi refers to the specific focal point or gaze in each asana. By concentrating on a particular spot, we can maintain a sense of balance and also block out visual distractions, supporting the practice of mindfulness. |
| Ujjayi | Ujjayi breathing involves a deep, even breath that produces a soft, hissing sound at the back of the throat. This breath not only generates heat within the body, helping to release toxins through sweat, but it also aids in withdrawing the sense of hearing from external noises, allowing the practitioner to stay focused. |
| Bandha | Mula Bandha and Uddiyana Bandha refer to the practice of engaging energy locks within the body. |
Properly activating and coordinating these locks along with breath and gaze helps to cultivate an internal energy flow.
The synergy of Bandha, Dṛṣṭi, and Ujjayi throughout the sequence enhances the practitioner’s experience, promoting a sense of lightness in the body. This allows for smoother, safer, and more effective movements while stimulating the subtle nervous system and encouraging an uplifting energy.
