What is an Advanced Yoga Practice?

@imustbeacat

An advanced practice doesn’t consist of hyper flexibility and perfect arm balances. An advanced practice is when you can roll out your mat and flow to the tune of your body’s needs and desires. No teacher or guide needed, just you, your breath, and your mat.

♬ Stargazing (Slowed + Reverb) - Marcelo De Carvalho

Most people think an advanced yoga practice means being able to be hyperflexible, the ability to do any and every pose, and to be able to perfectly execute arm balances. Some people think an advanced practice is measured by the buckets of sweat left on the mat after a hot yoga practice.
As a yoga teacher and enthusiast, I would say that the evidence of an advanced practice is the ability to do yoga on your own, without relying on a teacher to guide you.
I advise beginners that are new to yoga to take as many in person classes as you can to better learn the poses, learn the names of the poses, and general body feedback to learn what works for you, what feels good, and what doesn’t.
Once you’re able to step onto the mat and guide your own body where it needs to go, is the moment you become an advanced yoga practitioner.

The thing I love about yoga is that there is always more to learn, no matter how “advanced” you think you may be. Every time you step on the mat is an encounter with a new body, a new self. No two practices are ever the same.