Question 1

What is the difference between a guided lesson and a Mysore session?

Accepted Answer

Mysore class is the traditional way of learning and teaching Ashtanga Yoga.
 • Each student practises at their own pace, according to what they have been taught.
 • The teacher offers individual guidance, teaching, and hands-on adjustments.
 • This allows for more personalised and consistent progression.
 • Led classes were introduced later, mainly for practical reasons. Your natural breathing rhythm and energy level on the day are not the priority. You follow the group’s pace, rather than your own.

Question 2

Why choose self-practice or Mysore-style classes?

Accepted Answer

This is the traditional way of learning Ashtanga Yoga.
 • It allows you to progress at your own pace, depending on your level and energy of the day.
 • It develops memory, concentration and discipline.
 • It strengthens autonomy in practice while providing personalised instruction.
 • It helps create a deeper, more personal relationship with yoga.

Question 3

Do I need to know the sequence to attend a Mysore session?

Accepted Answer

No, memorisation comes with time and is learned on the mat.
 • The teacher guides you, posture by posture.
 • Learning is progressive and adapted to each individual.
 • Each student practises the postures that have been taught to them by the teacher.

Question 4

Why yoga in the morning?

Accepted Answer

In Mysore, India, Ashtanga Yoga classes are held early in the morning - it's tradition.
 • The mind is calmer and less distracted.
 • The body is more receptive.
 • This gives a positive and stable momentum for the rest of the day.
 • It's a moment for yourself, before the hustle and bustle begins.

Question 5

Why have we chosen to teach only traditional Ashtanga Yoga in our school?

Accepted Answer

Our school has made the deliberate choice to teach only traditional Ashtanga Yoga, following the  KPJAYI lineage in Mysore.

We do not offer any other style of yoga — no Yin Yoga, no Iyengar Yoga, no Kundalini Yoga, no Power Yoga, no Sound Yoga, no Energy Yoga, no Yoga Dance, no Fly Yoga or Green Yoga, and no classes mixing yoga with Pilates or fitness methods.

Why?
The traditional method is complete in itself and was never intended to be mixed with other practices.

✦ A commitment to tradition
We are deeply passionate about Ashtanga Yoga and its philosophy, including:
 • Tristana (posture, breath, drishti),
 • the Eight Limbs of Yoga,
 • study of the Yoga Sutras, and
 • the meditative quality of movement and breath.
Ashtanga is a comprehensive method: strength, mobility, breath, endurance, purification, mental clarity and spiritual depth are all integrated into the practice.

✦ A clear pedagogical approach
Teaching one method allows us to:
 • support each student through a precise and rigorous practice,
 • follow their evolution posture by posture,
 • respect the logic of the traditional sequences,
 • ensure consistency from one session to the next.
   
✦ A distinctive identity
We leave to other studios the more hybrid or fitness-oriented approaches — yoga combined with Pilates, gym-style yoga, creative flows, toning practices, and so on.These methods may suit many practitioners, but they do not reflect our vision of yoga as a discipline rooted in a lineage.
Choosing our school means choosing the traditional path of Ashtanga Yoga, transmitted as in Mysore — with commitment, clarity, and respect for the connection between body and mind.

Question 6

What is Ashtanga Yoga, and how does it differ from Hatha, Yin or Iyengar Yoga?

Accepted Answer

Ashtanga Yoga is a traditional form of yoga based on a dynamic sequence of postures, known as a series, synchronised with the breath (pranayama).
Unlike Hatha Yoga, which is often slower; Yin Yoga, which is more static; or Iyengar Yoga, which focuses on postural alignment and the use of props, Ashtanga is a dynamic practice that leads to a state of meditation in movement.
This method develops:
 • concentration,
 • clarity of mind,
 • endurance,
 • muscular strength,
 • inner alignment,
 • stability of the spine,
 • vitality,
 • natural purification of toxins,
 • balance between body and mind.
For beginners who wish to learn yoga, Ashtanga offers a structured and progressive approach, ideal for deepening one’s practice while discovering the core principles of yoga taught in the Yoga Sutras.

Question 7

How does a beginner’s Ashtanga Yoga class work? Is it suitable if I have never practised yoga before?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ashtanga is perfectly suitable for beginners, even if you have never taken a yoga class before.
Each yoga session begins with the Sun Salutations (which act as a warm-up), followed by a progressive sequence of standing postures, seated postures, and integrated breathing exercises.
Your yoga teacher guides you step by step so that you learn to:
 • synchronise each movement with each breath,
 • understand the traditional postures,
 • discover basic Sanskrit terms,
 • improve your physical condition,
 • protect your joints,
 • choose and use your yoga mat effectively.
Ashtanga is a rigorous yet adaptable practice, ideal for students who wish to progress, build physical and mental strength, improve flexibility, and develop a deeper connection between the physical body and the mind.
The goal is to offer a form of yoga that is accessible, structured and reassuring — truly a yoga for all — even if it is your very first yoga class.

Question 8

What are the benefits of Ashtanga Yoga for the body and mind?

Accepted Answer

Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most complete methods for improving physical fitness, flexibility, posture and mental wellbeing.Thanks to its rhythmic sequences, breathing exercises, and the internal heat generated by the practice, it helps to:
 • deeply loosen and stretch the spine and muscles,
 • strengthen postural structure and deep muscular support,
 • stimulate circulation and support the elimination of toxins,
 • develop self-awareness,
 • improve stress management,
 • bring calm, release tension, and balance both body and mind,
 • strengthen vital energy (prana).
Ashtanga is a complete yoga programme, suitable for anyone seeking a dynamic, meditative and progressive practice — whether a complete beginner or a more advanced practitioner.

Question 9

What is the role of pranayama in the practice of Ashtanga Yoga?

Accepted Answer

Pranayama (breath control) — the art of breathing exercises — is one of the pillars of Ashtanga Yoga and one of the “Eight Limbs” described in the Yoga Sutras.In (http://Sutras.In)practice, the breath guides each posture, supports movement, and creates an internal rhythm that turns the class into a form of meditation in movement.
Pranayama helps to:
 • improve the quality of inhalation and exhalation,
 • calm the nervous system,
 • strengthen vital energy,
 • support the body’s natural purification,
 • increase endurance and stability,
 • help the practitioner let go and release tension.
For beginners, learning how to breathe correctly is often a revelation: it improves sleep, concentration, and the quality of every yoga session.

Question 10

Can Ashtanga Yoga help if I have sleep problems or insomnia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ashtanga Yoga can be a valuable support for people who suffer from sleep disturbances, insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep.Although it is a dynamic practice, Ashtanga acts deeply on the nervous system, the breath and stress levels, which are often the root causes of sleep issues.
Here is how Ashtanga can help:
 • The synchronisation of movement and breath soothes the mind and reduces internal tension.
 • Breathing exercises (pranayama) improve your ability to relax before going to bed.
 • Regular practice restores balance between body and mind, which is essential for restful sleep.
 • Sweating and the elimination of toxins help release accumulated physical tension.
 • The repetition of yoga postures becomes a form of meditation in movement, ideal for calming thoughts.
Even though Ashtanga is a dynamic yoga, it supports the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and gradually improves sleep quality over time.It (http://time.It)is an effective method for anyone seeking overall physical and mental balance.

Question 11

Is Ashtanga Yoga suitable if I’m looking for a disciplined, progressive and rigorous practice to improve physically and mentally?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ashtanga Yoga is particularly well suited for those seeking a rigorous, structured and progressive practice. This method is based on precise sequences, a dynamic flow, and the repetition of a set series of postures, which allows the practitioner to deepen their practice week after week.
Ashtanga develops:
 • postural strength,
 • endurance,
 • muscular reinforcement,
 • inner alignment,
 • stability of the spine,
 • a deeper connection between body and mind,
 • a steady and refined breathing rhythm.
Each session becomes a form of meditation in movement, where the practitioner learns to synchronise breath, movement and attention.
For those who enjoy progressing within a demanding yet supportive practice, Ashtanga is an ideal yoga method — far beyond a simple fitness activity.

Question 12

Does Ashtanga Yoga include a philosophical or spiritual aspect (mantras, sutras, Sanskrit, meditation)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ashtanga Yoga is fully rooted in the tradition of classical yoga and includes a philosophical and spiritual dimension drawn from the Yoga Sutras and Raja Yoga.Even though the practice begins with physical postures, it also incorporates:
 • pranayama,
 • an understanding of prana (vital energy),
 • the repetition of simple mantras,
 • the learning of certain Sanskrit terms,
 • the notion of karma yoga,
 • moments of meditative awareness,
 • and reflection on the principles of yoga (yamas and niyamas).
Ashtanga is a method that connects the physical body, energy and the mind.It (http://mind.It)offers a complete approach for those who wish to go beyond the purely postural aspect and explore the meditative, energetic and philosophical dimensions of yoga — without adhering to any religious form.

Question 13

Is this for me because I'm not flexible or experienced?

Accepted Answer

No flexibility or experience is required to get started.
 • Yoga adapts to you - not the other way around.
 • What matters is consistency, not performance.
 • Every body progresses at its own pace.(http://pace.me)

Question 14

Is Ashtanga Yoga suitable for all ages, physical conditions and profiles (beginners, seniors, athletes, pregnant women, stiff or stressed people)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ashtanga Yoga can be adapted for a wide range of practitioners — complete beginners, people with limited mobility or low fitness levels, seniors, athletes, or anyone wishing to start yoga to improve posture, breathing or overall wellbeing.
Ashtanga is based on progressive sequences, deep breathing, stretching, joint mobility and strengthening of the spine. Even if some yoga postures look challenging, an experienced teacher adapts transitions, variations and rhythm to each person.
✦ For stiff or stressed individuals
Ashtanga helps to:
 • loosen the body,
 • reduce physical tension,
 • improve respiratory awareness,
 • develop self-awareness,
 • calm the mind through meditation in movement.
✦ For athletes or those doing Pilates, fitness or stretching
Ashtanga:
 • strengthens postural and deep muscles,
 • improves endurance,
 • enhances posture,
 • balances the entire physical body,
 • supports recovery and injury prevention.
✦ For pregnant women
Traditional Ashtanga Yoga is not prenatal yoga, but certain adaptations can be offered by a skilled teacher to ensure safety and respect for the mother's changing needs.
✦ For complete beginners
The first class may feel intense, but it is never too late to learn yoga. Everyone progresses at their own pace, breath after breath, posture after posture.

Question 15

Can Ashtanga Yoga help if I have back tension, joint pain or low physical fitness?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ashtanga Yoga can help improve back pain, postural alignment, and joint mobility, even if you are starting with limited physical fitness.Thanks to the Sun Salutations (which act as dynamic stretches), the yoga postures, and the breathing exercises integrated into the practice, Ashtanga helps to:
 • strengthen the spine,
 • protect sensitive areas,
 • gently and progressively loosen the body,
 • improve mobility,
 • enhance spinal posture and overall balance,
 • develop deep and stabilising musculature,
 • reduce tension linked to stress and a sedentary lifestyle.
Ashtanga can be freely adapted by the teacher according to the student’s needs — whether it is your first class or you wish to regain confidence in your body.With regular practice, students notice genuine relief and a lasting improvement in their mobility.

Question 16

Can I practise Ashtanga Yoga at home, using videos or online classes, even if I’m a complete beginner?

Accepted Answer

Today, it is possible to practise Ashtanga Yoga at home, especially thanks to the countless yoga videos, online classes and digital resources available. You can find everything and anything online, which can easily be confusing for beginners.
However, nothing can replace practising in a traditional shala, with a yoga teacher who guides you regularly.Ashtanga is traditionally transmitted through a direct, personal and progressive relationship between teacher and student. The teacher observes the practitioner closely, understands their physical condition, breathing, strengths, limitations, and how they evolve in each posture.
This continuity allows you to practise safely, avoid compensations, and prevent injuries, which are common when learning alone at home.
Practising without proper guidance involves risks:
 • misunderstanding physical postures,
 • lack of postural corrections,
 • overloading the joints,
 • losing the natural rhythm of the breath,
 • difficulties progressing through the sequences,
 • challenges in relaxing and integrating the meditative aspect.

For beginners, the best way to build a stable and safe practice is to come regularly to a shala, with the same teacher, and establish a strong foundation.

Question 17

How does Ashtanga Yoga differ from other physical practices (Pilates, fitness, stretching, yoga sport, gentle gym, tai chi...)?

Accepted Answer

Ashtanga Yoga is often compared to Pilates, fitness, stretching, yoga sport, gentle gym, or even tai chi, because all these disciplines work on the physical body. Yet Ashtanga is fundamentally different: it is not just a physical practice, but a complete yoga method, structured and transformative.
✦ A physical, respiratory and meditative practice
Ashtanga does not focus solely on strengthening or flexibility.Each posture is linked to the breath, the gaze (drishti) and concentration, creating a genuine form of meditation in movement.Unlike fitness or Pilates, the purpose is not performance or physical appearance, but the long-term balance of body and mind.
✦ A structured and progressive programme
Ashtanga is based on a specific series of postures, learned step by step.This structure helps develop:
 • good physical condition,
 • steady breathing,
 • a calmer mind,
 • and a practice that truly evolves over time.
Disciplines such as stretching or gentle gym do not follow this progressive, traditional system.
✦ An intensity different from a sports class
Ashtanga is dynamic and can make you sweat, but this intensity comes from breathing and synchronisation, not from externally imposed effort.The heat is generated internally, through concentration — which differentiates it from fitness or a typical workout.
✦ A practice that transforms both body and nervous system
While Pilates, stretching or gym focus mainly on muscular tone and posture, Ashtanga also influences:
 • stress regulation,
 • mental calm,
 • nervous system balance,
 • the ability to relax,
 • and a deeper self-awareness of breath and movement.
✦ A practice rooted in tradition
Ashtanga is a living method, transmitted through a lineage, offering a complete and coherent path.It (http://path.It)is not a replacement for other practices, but it offers something unique:a structured, inward-facing, and profoundly transformative approach.

Question 18

Can Ashtanga Yoga be learned in different settings (private lessons, yoga in the workplace, home practice, workshops, retreats…), and how does this influence the student’s progression?

Accepted Answer

It is possible to practise Ashtanga Yoga in various contexts — private lessons, home practice, yoga in the workplace, workshops, retreats, or within a yoga association. These formats can offer an interesting first introduction, but they do not replace learning in a traditional shala, in direct contact with a yoga teacher trained in the Mysore lineage.
Ashtanga is transmitted through a precise method, which requires attentive and continuous observation of the practitioner: breath, alignment, postural stability, adaptation of physical postures, understanding of the Primary Series, breath management, transition work, and the rhythm specific to each student.In (http://student.In)environments such as workplace classes, associations or home sessions, this level of precision is often difficult to maintain, as the setting is generally not designed for a traditional progression.
A shala provides:
 • a specific way of teaching, step by step;
 • the guidance of a teacher who truly knows the student, their physical condition, their bodily history and how they evolve in each session;
 • a pedagogy that respects the internal logic of the system (synchronisation, vinyasa, drishti);
 • an environment that encourages students to continue the practice in depth, beyond a simple “yoga class”.
Yoga retreats, workshops, yoga trainings or teacher-training courses can certainly enrich one’s understanding, but they never replace the importance of regularity. It is the repetition with the same teacher, in a dedicated space, that allows the practitioner to integrate the foundations, avoid mistakes, reduce risks for the joints and spine, and commit to a genuine yoga programme.
So, although one can technically practise anywhere — at home, in a club, in a workshop or in the workplace — the most authentic, stable and safe progression is found in a yoga centre dedicated to Ashtanga, in the spirit of traditional yoga.This is where the practice becomes a true path, rather than just another physical activity.

Question 19

Where to practice yoga in Nice?

Accepted Answer

MYSORE RIVIERA is a local yoga school.
 • We are open all year round.
 • Most of our students live nearby.
 • At the same time, we warmly welcome students from abroad who are staying in Nice or who wish to come and study and practise with Pierre.

ASHTANGA YOGA CENTRE
OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA

Teaching traditional Ashtanga Yoga

City of Nice (Port area) & Roquefort-Les-Pins (06330)

SCHEDULE
Find your own rythm

Mysore Classes
Mornings
6 classes/week

SPECIAL OFFER
New?

4For40
4 Mysore Classes
40 euros

OUR SCHOOL
Traditional Ashtanga

KPJAYI
Personalized teaching
Support & listening

OUR YOGA PASSES
The choice is yours

4 options
Beginner
5 Classes
Unlimited
Mini-Riviera Break

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ASHTANGA YOGA CENTRE OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA Teaching traditional Ashtanga Yoga City of Nice (Port area) & Roquefort-Les-Pins (06330)

SCHEDULE Find your own rythm Mysore Classes Mornings 6 classes/week

SPECIAL OFFER New? 4For40 4 Mysore Classes 40 euros

OUR SCHOOL Traditional Ashtanga KPJAYI Personalized teaching Support & listening

OUR YOGA PASSES The choice is yours 4 options Beginner 5 Classes Unlimited Mini-Riviera Break