The "A" Word: When You Know You're No Longer A Yoga Newbie

So you've got 200 pairs of leggings, know the Sanskrit name of ALL the poses and have 200,000 followers on insta where you post yoga pics.

The yoga teacher knows you by name, and s/he has even got you to demo a couple of times.

Are you a yoga newbie?

Nope, sounds like you've been around a while, so not a newbie.

Are you an advanced yogi?

Whoa...not so fast with the 'A' word speedy...let's step this through...

Advanced Asana

Let's say you can put your foot/feet behind your head, can hold a freestanding handstand and can drop back into full wheel. So yeah, you are pretty bendy and strong.

But before we go throwing around the 'A' word...

How's your breathing? Your focus while in these advanced poses?

If you are straining like hell to hold the pose and can only think of getting to the time where the teacher tells you to come out of the pose, then no, you aren't practicing advanced asana.

Keep at it some more.

Advanced Practice

So now you can do all the 'advanced' asanas easily. Your breathing is long and deep and your focus is steadily on your drishti (focal point). Sounds like you have it all nailed. 

How's your focus between poses? What happens to it when you fall out of a pose? Do you lose your breathing? Has your mind jumped to analyzing what went wrong with the pose?

If you can't remain focussed when transitioning or when you fall out of a pose, then maybe your practice isn't as advanced as it could be. 

The interesting thing about having an advanced practice, is that you could do it on DAY ONE if you;

• adhere to the current limitations of your body (this isn't playing it safe, it's knowing where your edge is),
• keep your breathing even and deep, and
• maintain your focus for the duration of the class.

Advanced Yogi

By now you should know where I'm gonna go with this...yep...takin' it to real life. 

You can maintain your focus, and observe your emotions during the trials and tribulations of class, without reacting to them. But what about in real life?

Can you observe your emotions and choose what you react to?

Funny how being an advanced yogi isn't measured by what you do on the mat.

Keep practicing, and let's not be so quick to use the 'A' word, J.