Yoga has become increasingly popular as people seek ways to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Mysuru, a city located in the southern part of India, has become a hub for yoga practitioners from all around the world. Mysuru is home to many yoga studios offering various yoga classes, from traditional to modern styles.
The city has a rich and diverse yoga culture, with classes suitable for all levels of practitioners, from beginners to advanced. Some of the most popular styles of yoga offered in Mysuru include Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, and Iyengar. While some studios focus on a specific style of yoga, others offer a variety of classes to cater to different needs and preferences.
Many yoga studios in Mysore are known for their experienced and skilled instructors, who provide personalized attention and guidance to students. The studios offer a peaceful and serene environment conducive to yoga practice, with some even located in beautiful natural settings. Whether you want to deepen your practice or simply want to try yoga for the first time, Mysuru is a great place to explore and experience the many benefits of this ancient practice.
Our list of the top 14 yoga studios in Mysore will help you cut to the chase and choose an appropriate place to start your yogic journey.
1. K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Gokulam 3rd Stage, Mysore
K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute or KPJAYI is one of the oldest and most popular yoga studios in Mysore. It was established in 1948 and is the birthplace of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga style, which has become popular worldwide. The teachers are genuine, caring and attentive. The whole atmosphere is amazing, with like-minded people coming together from all over the world. The neighborhood is a good place for yoga, philosophy, chanting and other related activities.
Krishna Pattabhi Jois, the founder of KPJAYI, is renowned for developing and popularizing the flowing style of yoga exercise known as Ashtanga vinyasa yoga. He played a pivotal role in establishing modern yoga as a form of exercise in the 20th century, making him one of the few Indians who contributed significantly to this movement. Jois studied under T. Krishnamacharya from 1927 to 1929 in his village and later from 1932 to 1953 in Mysore. During his studies, he immersed himself in essential yogic texts, including Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Yoga Yajñavalkya, and the Upaniṣads.
The studio offers traditional Ashtanga classes and beginner classes. There are no teacher's training courses or 200 hours classes. All classes begin on the 1st of the month and you must attend for at least a month but no longer than 3 months. There are no 1-week or 10 days classes.
Price not available
2. Mysore Krishnamacharr Yoga Foundation
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Chamrajpura, Mysore
For the past 15 years, the Mysore Krishnamacharr Yoga Foundation has been an integral component of the Mysore yoga system, serving as a primary hub for teachers' training for the last decade. The yoga shala provides a clean, private space for yoga practice, and students must register for at least one month. The Mysore Krishnamacharr Yoga Shala places significant emphasis on preserving the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system and adheres to the original yogic scriptures as the basis for their teachings.
The management of Mysore Krishnamacharr Yoga Shala is overseen by Kanchen Mala, who has received instruction from several distinguished teachers in asana and adjustment and is highly knowledgeable in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and hatha yoga. Sri BNS Iyengar taught her Pranayama, Mudra, and Philosophy, while Sri Balaji Rao Thombre and numerous other renowned teachers instructed her in Meditation and Chanting.
At Mysore Krishnamacharr Yoga Shala, the focus is on providing instruction in every aspect of yoga, ranging from Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, and Philosophy, to Chanting, Ayurveda, and Teacher Training. All courses come with a certificate, with the Philosophy course being exclusively for TTC students. This center offers opportunities to learn Ashtanga Vinyasa and Hatha yoga, attend asana adjustment classes and gain knowledge about Ayurveda.
Price not available
3. Yoga Darshanam
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Gokulam 3rd Stage, Mysore
Yoga Darshanam was established in 1998. Since then, it has gained widespread recognition as a renowned yoga brand, particularly among yoga teachers seeking to become skilled and top-notch instructors. It teaches yoga in pure form without any variations or deviations. The brand offers tailor-made yoga courses and a distinctive training system that adheres to the classical yoga lineage, promoting yoga globally.
Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar established Yoga Darshanam and now serves as its Managing Director. He has an Advanced Yoga Teachers Training certification from the Shivananda Vedanta Center in Kerala. He also had the privilege of meeting and studying under the guidance of Yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar and his son Prashanth and daughter Geetha. In recognition of his contributions to national economic and social development, he was honored with the Rashtra Vibhushan award in 2015.
Some of the popular classes which you can join are beginners yoga, advanced yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, Hatha yoga (Iyengar style), yoga therapy practice, Mudra yoga therapy, kids yoga training, Pranayama & meditation, pregnancy yoga, partner/Acro yoga, Ayurveda course and Kriya or detoxification. Yogadarshanam has meticulously crafted a yoga training program consisting of two distinct tracks: Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training. Both tracks offer three levels of training, ranging from Level 1 to Level 3.
Price INR 6,000 per month
4. Indea Yoga
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - TK Layout, Mysore
The term 'Indea' is formed by merging two words, where 'In' represents the inner self and 'Dea' symbolizes light. When combined, 'Indea' signifies 'Inner Light.' It is among the oldest Yoga Alliance (USA) certified schools in India, offering courses and workshops that cater to various levels and requirements of practitioners. The institution follows the guru-shishya parampara, creating an ideal environment for genuine learning. The yoga practice that IndeaYoga promotes emphasizes the journey from external darkness to inner light. The space is known for its serene ambiance and positive energy.
In 2004, Indea Yoga was established by Bharat Shetty to introduce people to the remarkable health benefits of yoga and its positive impact on physical and mental well-being. Having practiced yoga since a young age, he effectively managed his asthma and devotedly worked towards recovering from leg injuries sustained in a bus accident. In 2002, he had the opportunity to receive personal training and instruction from Yoga Guru Padma Vibhushan B.K.S. Iyengar in Pune, India. Bharat is also recognized as ‘Yoga Shiromani’ by Vivekandananda Kendra, Bangalore.
The on-campus courses consist of YTTC levels 1 & 2. Attending 3 years of Shikshaka Sadhana makes the teacher a level 3 teacher. You can also learn Mysore-style yoga. Apart from this, there are a few online courses like Dhrudathwa (for those who are beginning their yoga journey and want to learn the basics and fundamentals), Abhyasa (for intermediate practitioners), Ekathva (for practitioners of all levels with unique requirements) and Arogya (for healing through yoga therapy).
Price not available
5. Mysore Ashtanga Yoga Shala
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Gokulam 3rd Stage, Mysore
In 2005, Sir Panduranga Patanjali Yoga Shikshana Kendra® was founded with the leadership of the Late Sri Balaji Rao Thombre. Later in 2012, the organization established a new branch named Mysore Ashtanga Yoga Shala under the guidance of Dr. Ramesh Shetty to facilitate the promotion of their Teacher Training Course. Today, the shala is a good, safe and beautiful space filled with lots of positive energy. It is almost like a home away from home.
Dr. Ramesh Shetty, born in 1964 and raised in Mysore, holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Yoga & Nature cure diploma from Karnataka University. With over 41 years of experience, he specializes in Asana Alignment and has been teaching Hatha yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. He received numerous awards for his contribution to the field of Yoga, including an Honorary Doctorate from the Indian Virtual Academy for Peace and Education in 2019, the Yoga Visharada award by the Mysore Yoga Association in 2015, the Yoga Bushana award by the Himalaya Yoga Foundation in 2014, and Yoga Siri award by Government of Karnataka in 2013. Ramesh Shetty is a lifetime member and current President of the Mysore Yoga Association.
The YTTC has two modules Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Each module has 100, 200, 300 and 500 hours of TTC. There are also a couple of vacation courses consisting of drop-in classes and Ashtanga vacation courses. The drop-in classes include Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga primary series asana practice, Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga intermediate series asana practice and Ramesh Shetty’s style asana practice. On the other hand, the Ashtanga vacation courses consist of Pranayama, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Primary and Asana Alignment.
Price not available
6. Nirvana Yoga Shala
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Gokulam 2nd Stage, Mysore
Nirvana Yoga Shala was earlier known as Mystic School. NIRVANA YOGA SHALA focuses on developing human consciousness and its multi-dimensional expansion. It is believed that to achieve the highest level of spirituality; one must focus on the physical, astral, mental, and spiritual aspects of practice. Simply practicing one aspect is not enough. For instance, practicing Yoga Asana purifies the body, while Pranayama and Meditation purify emotions and thoughts. Additionally, studying Philosophy can help to develop one's intellect. The shala is a pristine place with great views and natural sunlight.
Dr. Sashi Kumar founded the Nirvana Yoga Shala in 2006. He is a yogi, tantric and shaman. After spending a year in Osho Ashram, Pune, he learned various Osho Therapies, Meditations, Taichi, and bodywork (Massage). He decided to take Sanyas and was initiated into the path of Meditations at Osho Ashram on Oct 28, 2000. Following this, he changed his name to Swami Deva Arhato, meaning "Divine Witnesser." He began practicing Ashtanga under the guidance of B.N.S. Iyengar at Parkala Mutt and subsequently established a Center in Gokulam. Additionally, he was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Russian Mystic G.I. Gurdjieff. He received training in various occult practices, like Akashic Records Journey, Past Life Regression, Munay ki, Tantric pulsation breathwork, etc.
Nirvana Yoga Shala provides a range of training and classes, including Ashtanga Yoga TTC, Hatha Yoga TTC, and Tantra Yoga TTC. They also offer regular classes in Ashtanga, Hatha, Pranayama, and meditations, as well as Reiki and Munay ki healing, Singing Bowls healing, Past Life Regression sessions, and training.
Price INR 500 per day | INR 14,000 per month
7. Mysore Hatha Yoga Kendra
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Lakshmipuram, Mysore
Mysore Hatha Yoga Kendra, which opened on February 9th, 2011, is a reputable and respected yoga school that offers high-quality yoga instruction in the traditional Mysore style. It offers a range of yoga programs and classes for students of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. The classes are designed to help students develop strength, flexibility, balance, and inner peace through the practice of asanas (yoga postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation. Presently, it teaches yoga to different age groups from 6 to 65 in separate batches.
Praveen Somu runs the Mysore Hath Yoga Kendra. He is an exceptional yoga teacher with commendable dedication toward the students. Praveen has done a Pranayama and meditation course from Mysore University and a diploma in yoga from Annamalai University. He is an expert in the two popular styles of yoga, namely Ashtanga and Hatha yoga.
There are several courses one can take at the Mysore Hath Yoga Kendra. The foundation course, Hatha yoga, Pranayama & meditation, Hath Yoga Teachers Training Level-1 RYS 200, Ashtanga Yoga Teachers Training Level-1 RYS 200 and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Primary Series are some very useful options. Besides these, you can also join back bending & hip opening classes, yoga therapy, kids yoga, yoga to manage stress and others.
Price not available
8. Atmavikasa Center of Yogic Sciences
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Ramakrishna Nagar, Mysore
Atmavikasa Center of Yogic Sciences was one of the first three international yoga schools established in the area. Their yoga shala, known as "Atmavikasa Yoga Kutira," is situated in a serene garden away from the bustling commercial yoga scene. The center is recognized for offering more than just asanas. Here you get a deep understanding of classical Hatha Yoga as a pathway to higher consciousness. Atmavikasa is renowned globally for its extensive work in Yoga Therapy and was among the first schools in the world to offer an exclusive and exhaustive Yoga Therapist Training Program. The shala has a remarkable record of "Zero Yoga Injuries ON THE MAT" to date, making it a reliable and safe space for students to deepen their yoga practice.
Acharya Venkatesha and Acharya Hema, the founders of Atmavikasa, are well-known yoga masters with decades of teaching experience. They are respected for their commitment to a yogic lifestyle and dedication to their students. Students are expected to match their level of discipline and sincerity. They are recognized for their expertise in Classical Hatha Yoga and are considered among the best in the field. Despite this, they remain approachable and humble and continuously cultivate a beginner's mindset.
At Atmavikasa, the TTC program intake is restricted to 18 members and for the others, except for the Christmas one, it is 15. Here is a glimpse of the lineup of programs for this year - classical Hatha yoga intensive for self-development, back bending for enhancing space & sensitivity in the spine, yoga therapy TTC, spiritual Christmas intensive and Masters in Hatha yoga (TTC).
Price not available
9. Sthalam 8 Ashtanga Yoga Vedanta Centre
Location of Yoga Studio in Mysore - Chamaraja Puram, Mysore
‘Sthalam’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘place’ and ‘8’ refers to the ‘8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga’. So Sthalam 8 is the place where you come to learn and practice the 8 limbs of Ashtanga. The shala is a small, thoughtfully designed ashram. Its special features include sattvic food, a rooftop cafe, comfortable accommodations, an area to study silently with no disturbances (Vidya Vaasi) and the Shiva Yoga Hall, where the classes occur. A unique approach practiced here is the application acceptance process. It is based on the ancient theory of Anubhandha Chtushtaya. This implies that not only do students choose their preferred teacher, but the teacher also selects their students.
Ajay Kumar started Sthalam 8 in the year 2000. At the age of ten, he began practicing yoga under BNS Iyengar's guidance at Parkala Mutt in Mysore. Presently, he maintains a personal yoga practice, utilizing his own experiences and lessons to provide a distinctive perspective on Ashtanga in his teachings. Ajay is also enrolled in an Advaita Vedanta program taught in Sanskrit at the University of Mysore. Over the past seventeen years, Ajay has been instructing students in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with delicate precision and a thoughtful approach.
Sunday to Friday's primary focus is on Ashtanga yoga. Thursday is for the Vinyasa class, where bandhas, breath & drishti demonstrations are conducted. Sunday is the back bending class. The routine for the other days is as follows - Monday is sound meditation, Tuesday is for silent meditation, Wednesday is dedicated to movement meditation, Thursday is uniquely for Karma yoga and Friday is for the pooja ceremony & conference. Each year there are 3 TTC programs that run for 6 weeks. Every other year second series of the course is conducted. Each course is limited to only 12 students.
Price not available