Mysore – A Personal Approach to Yoga Practice

Mysore is the traditional way of learning Ashtanga Yoga. In this unique class format, each student develops a personal practice at their own pace with individual guidance from the teacher.

Rather than following a group-led class, students move through the sequence independently while receiving one-on-one instruction, adjustments, and support as needed. It is often described as having a private lesson within a shared practice space.

Postures are introduced gradually, allowing the practice to evolve naturally according to your body's abilities, experience, and readiness. There is no need to be flexible, strong, or familiar with the sequence before you begin. Curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to learn are all that is required.

As you become familiar with the sequence, you develop greater independence and confidence in your practice. Many students find this empowering, as they gain a lifelong practice that can be maintained anywhere, at any time.

You may arrive at any point during class hours, offering flexibility for busy schedules. A beginner's practice typically lasts 30–40 minutes, gradually increasing as new postures are learned, while experienced practitioners often practice for up to 90 minutes.

Mysore classes are suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. In the Mysore class you will receive personal guidance from experienced and authorized Ashtanga teachers in a supportive, focused, and welcoming practice environment.

You can read more about how we teach here and about Mysore and Astanga here.

Guided Astanga – Flow with the breath

Guided Ashtanga takes you step by step through parts of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series in a structured and supportive environment. The class is designed to help you develop a solid understanding of the practice while building a strong foundation for future development.

You will learn the essential principles of Ashtanga Yoga, with a special focus on vinyasa, the connection between breath and movement. The teacher will guide you through when to inhale and exhale, how to transition efficiently between postures, and how to cultivate greater stability, ease, and flow in your practice.

The class also introduces bandha (internal energy locks) and drishti (gazing points), important tools that enhance concentration, balance, and awareness. Throughout the practice, guidance is given on technique, alignment, and movement quality to help you practice safely and effectively.

The primary focus is on Sun Salutations, the Standing Sequence, and selected seated and finishing postures from the Primary Series. Each class concludes with a period of relaxation, leaving you feeling refreshed and grounded.

Guided Ashtanga is suitable for all levels, from complete beginners looking for a clear introduction to experienced practitioners wishing to refine and deepen their practice.

Active Series – The Essence of Ashtanga, Made Accessible to everyone

Active Series is a modern and accessible approach to Ashtanga Yoga, developed by Sharath Jois. It offers the essence of the traditional practice—movement, breath, and focus in flow—in a format designed to be sustainable and realistic in everyday life.

This is not a practice about perfection. It is about showing up, moving the body, and creating meaningful change in both body and mind.

Open to you from day one. There are no requirements for flexibility, experience, or fitness level. You start exactly where you are.

Active Series combines selected elements from the first and second series of Ashtanga Yoga into a simplified and balanced structure. You work with breath, movement, and focus in a steady flow that gradually builds strength, stability, and awareness.

Astanga Yoga Studio is home to Denmark’s only officially authorized Active Series teachers, ensuring instruction that is directly rooted in the original method and tradition.

Read more about Active Series here

Led Class – Tradition, Rhythm and Learning

In Led Class, students are guided through the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series using the traditional Sanskrit counting method. The class moves in a shared rhythm, uniting breath, movement, and awareness into a continuous and focused practice.

Led Class is an important part of learning Ashtanga Yoga, as it helps you understand and memorize the vinyasa system—the precise coordination of breath and movement. As this becomes more natural, the practice shifts from a mental effort into something more direct, stable, and meditative.

The collective rhythm creates a unique atmosphere in the room, where the practice becomes both dynamic and deeply absorbing. Many students find that Led Class builds stamina, refines their understanding of the sequence, and gives a clearer sense of the whole structure of the practice.

Led Class is open to everyone, even if you have not yet learned the full Primary Series. When you reach the last posture you have learned in Mysore practice, you simply stop there and remain on your mat as an observer, where you can watch, listen, and learn the rest of the sequence. You then rejoin the class during the finishing sequence.

New students or practitioners without a regular Mysore practice may also be asked by the teacher to stop earlier in the sequence, depending on their level of understanding and capacity. From there, they observe the remainder of the class and rejoin everyone for the closing sequence.

"Led class is for checking your vinyasa and increasing stamina." – Sharath Jois

Yoga is much more than physical postures. Yoga Talk & Technique explores the deeper dimensions of practice, from philosophy, history, and tradition to anatomy, breathwork, lifestyle, and nutrition.

Each session begins with chanting and centers around a weekly theme, combining theory with practical application. We explore alignment, transitions, vinyasa, bandha (energy locks), breathing techniques, and movement principles to help you develop a more intelligent and sustainable yoga practice.

Learn how and why the postures work, how to adapt them to your body, and how to progress safely and effectively. We discuss modifications, challenges, and techniques that can help refine your practice, whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner.

The classes also include insights into mobility, strength training, recovery, functional movement, and daily habits that can support your health, well-being, and personal growth both on and off the mat.

A new topic is explored each week, ensuring fresh inspiration, practical tools, and deeper understanding every time you attend.

And of course, we also enjoy freshly brewed coffee or tea and good conversations.

Yoga Nidra & Gentle Yin – Deep Rest and Recovery

Yoga Nidra er en guidet praksis i dyb afspænding, hvor kroppen får lov til at hvile fuldstændigt, mens sindet forbliver vågent og modtageligt. Du ligger komfortabelt på måtten og bliver guidet gennem en rejse af kropsscanning, åndedrætsbevidsthed og enkle visualiseringer.

Yoga Nidra betyder “yogiens søvn” – en bevidst tilstand mellem vågenhed og søvn, hvor kroppen restituerer dybt, og sindet falder til ro på et mere subtilt niveau.

Klassen kombinerer Yoga Nidra med blid Yin Yoga, hvor kroppen langsomt åbnes gennem rolige, længere holdte stillinger. Yin-delen hjælper med at frigøre spændinger i bindevæv og nervesystem, så du lettere kan give slip og falde til ro.

Yoga Nidra & Yin giver en dyb afspænding og indre ro, som understøtter både krop og sind. Praksissen kan forbedre søvn og øge kroppens restitution, samtidig med at stress og spændinger reduceres. Den styrker også krops- og åndedrætsbevidsthed og fungerer som en god støtte til meditation samt anden yogapraksis.

Alle kan deltage – uanset erfaring. Ingen forudsætninger er nødvendige, kun lysten til at give slip og hvile.

For your first visit, we recommend joining a Guided Astanga class. Mysore and Led Classes are designed for students who are already familiar with the Astanga method, while Guided Astanga provides a supportive introduction for newcomers.

You can read more about getting started here and about the learning process here.

Visiting Practitioners. Astanga practitioners visiting Copenhagen are always warmly welcome. Please send a message to post@astangaforeningen.dk with your drop-in dates and, if possible, the name of your teacher or home shala. You can buy one-day dropin or one-week pass here.