Stop and take a moment to consider the current state of your yoga practice. Have you fallen into a rut or are you in the process of growth? When is the last time you tried a new class or teacher––maybe one you’ve heard is challenging or different? Have you attempted a new asana lately, perhaps the one that scares you a little bit? If you’ve been practicing for a while, maybe it is time to step out of your comfort zone.
The best way to become a more advanced practitioner is to continue to learn about yourself and understand your strengths and your limitations. Remember we are all different: physically, mentally, and emotionally. According to the Yoga Sutras, in the eight-limbed path of yoga, self-study is called Svadyaya and it encompasses seeking within as well as learning from texts and books. Awareness is the sign of an advanced practitioner and one of the greatest indicators of it is your breath.
As you seek to become an “advanced yogi,” use the tool of calm steady breath to progress. An instant sign of a beginner is someone huffing and puffing to force themselves into a posture they aren’t ready for and that can lead to injury. Greater awareness also allows you to understand when you need a challenge and when you need to back off. Your breath is powerful and keeps you firmly planted in the present moment.
This week, we’re bringing you four of our top rated advanced yoga classes. Each instructor offers a new challenge for you and we want you to take the opportunity to test yourself. To access what may have seemed unattainable. Try each one of these classes with a discerning mind. Observe your breath. Work to understand your reaction when you are asked to do something you don’t want to do. Open yourself to trusting your breath and the sensations in your body as you move.
This week's top advanced classes 1. Align and Flow: Ashtanga Inspiration - Jack Cuneo
2. Apex Fusion Inversions: Up, Under, Down & Across - Shannon Paige
3. Absolution Flow: A Call to Arms - Mark Morford
4. Feel the Heat - Pradeep Teotia