Tenzing Yoga
Ashtanga Shala Pondicherry
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can practice Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga yoga can be practiced by anyone, whether young or old, regardless of their physical ability.
The shala offers guidance and support for each student to develop their own practice suitable for their situation in life.
What can I expect as a beginner?
All students (including on their first day!) begin their practice with sets of surya namaskars, followed by a series of asanas and conclude rest in savasana. Ashtanga yoga can be practiced anywhere at your own pace. Over a period of time you may develop a connection with a teacher who will guide you in your own individual journey as you discover how your body and mind relates to the physical asana practice.
If this is your first day, try to come for class well rested, on an empty stomach, with a towel and a fresh set of clothes to change into after practising. Be prepared for your class to last about an hour, and to join some of us for a coffee or breakfast after the practice!
What is a Mysore Style class?
In a Mysore style class students are taught individually but in a group setting. Beginners and advanced students practice together in the same room. All students follow a set sequence of postures and breaths. Asanas from the sequence are introduced to the students by the teacher as they progress. Students are encouraged to memorise the sequence until the last asana they have been given, and practice at their own pace.
What is a Led class?
Student Guidelines
• Arrive on time.
• Come to class with an open mind, ready to focus and learn.
• Bring a towel or two for practice. One for you and one for the teacher to use for adjustments.
• Do not drink water during practice.
• Do your best to get a good night’s sleep the day before practice.
• Practice on an empty stomach. A light snack 2 hours before is fine for the evening classe students.
• Wear clothing that you can move in comfortably, but not too bulky or warm. Prepare to sweat.
• Please shower before practice, it helps warm the muscles and ensures no offensive body odor.
• Do not wear heavy perfume or cologne for practice out of respect for other students and teacher.
• Clean your mat and practice towels regularly.
• Minimize talking in the practice space except when interacting with the teacher about matters relevant to your practice.
• Keep cell phones on silent mode.
• Inform the teacher of any injuries or medical conditions before you begin practice.
• Do your practice up to the last pose/asana that you have been given and stop. Do not ask for the next new pose – the teacher will give it to you when you are ready.
• If you need help, come to samasthitih and wait for the teacher to come and assist you.
• LADIES HOLIDAYS: Women are advised to take off the first 2-3 days of their monthly cycle.
Moon Days
According to the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga we don’t teach Mysore classes on Moon Days. Full and New moon days are observed as yoga holidays. Here is a list of Moon Days in 2025:
January
- Monday 13
- Wednesday 29
February
- Wednesday 12
- Friday 28
March
- Friday 14
- Saturday 29
April
- Saturday 12
- Sunday 27
May
- Monday 12
- Tuesday 27
JUNE
- Wednesday 11
- Wednesday 25
JULY
- Thursday 10
- Thursday 24
August
- Saturday 9
- Saturday 23
September
- Sunday 7
- Sunday 21
October
- Tuesday 7
- Tuesday 21
November
- Wednesday 5
- Thursday 20
December
- Thursday 4
- Friday 19
Opening Mantra
ॐ
वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे सन्दर्शितस्वात्मसुखावबोधे ।
निःश्रेयसे जाङ्गलिकायमाने संसारहालाहलमोहशान्त्यै ॥
आबाहुपुरुषाकारं शङ्खचक्रासिधारिणम् ।
सहस्रशिरसं श्वेतं प्रणमामि पतञ्जलिम् ॥
Oṃ
vande gurūnāṃ caraṇāravinde sandarśita-svātma-sukhāvabodhe |
niḥśreyase jāṅgalikāyamāne saṃsāra-hālāhala-moha-śāntyai ||
ābāhu-puruṣākāraṃ śaṅkha-cakrāsi-dhāriṇam |
sahasra-śirasaṃ śvetaṃ praṇamāmi patañjalim ||
Translation:
Om
I bow to the lotus feet of Gurus
The awakening happiness of one’s own Self-revealed,
Beyond better, acting like the Jungle physician,
Pacifying delusion, the poison of Samsara.
Taking the form of a man to the shoulders,
Holding a conch, a discus, and a sword,
One thousand heads white,
To Patanjali, I salute.
Om
Opening Mantra
ॐ
स्वस्ति प्रजाभ्यः परिपालयन्तां न्यायेन मार्गेण महीं महीशाः ।
गोब्राह्मणेभ्यः शुभमस्तु नित्यं लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।
Oṃ
svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantāṃ nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṃ mahīśāḥ |
go-brāhmanebhyaḥ śubham astu nityaṃ lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu ||
Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ |
Translation:
Om
May all be well with mankind.
May the leaders of the earth protect in every way by keeping to the right path.
May there be goodness for all those who know the earth to be sacred.
May all beings be happy.
Om peace, peace, peace.