"Does Practicing Advanced Asanas define a Real Yogi?"

How controversial is this in the yoga world... I so often have this conversation with people, students, teachers, non yoga practitioners... And it is always a fun and interesting conversation.

I think we find 2 teams:

-Team 1 believes yoga is about self love, listening to your body and most of all stepping away from ego, THEREFORE wanting to master asanas is an egoistic goal that doesn't belong in the shala.

(They usually mention that yoga has been "sexied" by fit young practitioners in bikini and it is wrong wrong wrong wrong!!!- ( and i think that’s another subject completely)

-Team 2 thinks that if people find an interest in yoga through the challenge of more advanced asanas and as a way to get their exercise in, so be it.

Guess where I position myself… BOTH! OK but mostly team 2… hehe 

Team 1 has a point, in your yoga practice your learn to quiet the mind, find presence through breath, movement and meditation.

Going deeper in the philosophy you sacrifice the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga)...

We could talk about "Ahimsa" which is part of the first of the eight limbs of yoga known as yama, or practices of self-regulation designed to free us from being victims of our own human impulses.

AHIMSA

Ahimsa is commonly referred to as “nonviolence” but more literally translated from Sanskrit as “absence of injury”and is an ancient concept originating in the Vedas—Indian spiritual and philosophical wisdom dating from as far back nearly 4,000 years ago.

What Patanjali referred to, essentially, was the attitude of the mind, rather than the literal acts of the body. It is one’s attitude that can either lead him toward liberation or hold him in suffering. An attitude of harmlessness is what is meant by ahimsa.

The principle of ahimsa must be understood in subtle ways, not only in gross. To harm anyone in the slightest way, even by disrespect, will harm the person doing the action as well as the one receiving it. The perfect practice of ahimsa, then, is very rare. For though not many people would actually kill their fellows, it is common to find people slashing at one another with angry words, or with contemptuous glances 👀

Ahimsa is also often used by those who defend the idea of not doing "difficult" asanas that can physically harm you, to not push yourself in poses that your body is not ready for. And of course!! I will never put myself or anyone in Kapotasana or Wheel pose if i don't feel ready or am not open enough yet in my back, shoulders, have the strength to support myself and so on...let alone seat on someone doing Kapotasana like in the picture!😱

A friend of mine once had a teacher step on her legs in Butterfly, and it snapped...I mean, ouch! It took her forever to recover.

PHYSICAL CHALLENGE

However, the practice of yoga is to keep us healthy physically as well. Pushing our physical boundaries and making a real physical effort is essential to maintaining optimal health, heart and lungs strength, bone sturdiness, spine mobillity...etc The kind of effort needed to PROGRESSIVELY reach a more advanced practice helps sharpen mental focus, facing fears and insecurities, building resilience, staying calm in challenge, learning to practice self compassion and letting go.

The discipline of staying in uncomfortable positions that require that effort, that are a struggle, bring such satisfaction and is so empowering.

You will need to keep your mind conscious and aware of every step of the posture, training both the body and mind to be fully present with the journey.

Foundational elements of strength can take years to build. The process of acquiring the tools can also be a very emotional experience that triggers deeply seeded fears, anxieties or other emotional traumas. If you want to build the strength that it takes to perform Bujapidasana for example you have to be brave enough to commit to the full exploration of what the posture brings up.

Through the process of mastering asanas that feel difficult, there are excruciating moments where the only thought in your mind is how tired you are. There are emotional moments when you doubt your strength and resolve. By touching these difficult places you also touch your limitations. When you brush again the limits of your known consciousness you also get very close to your spirit. As you push your boundaries a little bit of spirit seeps in and gives you strength where you would not otherwise have. It is the same small voice that dares you to think it possible against a mountain of disbelief. It is the lion heart of faith that comes in at the last possible to moment to save you from despair. The lesson of Bujapidasana is that you cannot stop when you are tired, when you doubt, when you feel like quitting or when you want it to be over. You stop when you are done.

Practically speaking what that means is that you are not “done” with the posture until you jump back to Chaturanga Dandasana (in ashtanga for example).

THE BENEFITS FIND YOU NO MATTER WHAT

Team 2 has a huge point, remember they defend that "if people find an interest in yoga through the challenge of more advanced asanas and as a way to get their exercise in, so be it. "

In my opinion whatever brings you to yoga is good enough, and as you learn more about the practice, you expand your mind, heart, consciousness, connection to all that is, balance your energy and chakras whether you think about it or not.

Little by little you feel the benefits, not just physically but emotionally, perhaps even spiritually at some point if you are open to it and have a teacher who shares a lot on the subject or you read on it. Instructing yourself on the philosophical and spiritual aspect of Yoga will make a huge difference in your practice, from how you approach it and feel within it.

Arm balances and inversions are part of the traditional sequences from the oldest gurus and teachers, so they are there for a reason. They have many lessons to teach us, and through growing within challenge we become wiser and freer from limiting beliefs, fears, and connect to our true inner power.

Doesn't it sound wonderful? Don't you want to go on the other side of what that feels like rather than hide behind the protection of "I am too old for this", or "These hard asanas do not serve me, I would rather stay in my comfort zone"?

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TO CONCLUDE

Controversy in the yoga world surrounding the pursuit of advanced asanas reflects a deeper philosophical debate between two distinct teams. Team 1 emphasizes the essence of yoga as a journey of self-love, body awareness, and detachment from ego, cautioning against the ego-driven pursuit of mastering difficult poses. They argue that such pursuits can deviate from the core principles of yoga, fostering a culture focused more on physical appearance than inner growth.

Conversely, Team 2 sees value in embracing the physical challenge of advanced poses, viewing them as a pathway for self-discovery, resilience-building, and physical well-being. They contend that individuals should be free to explore yoga in whatever way resonates with them, acknowledging that different paths may lead to the same destination of inner peace and self-awareness.

Ahimsa, the principle of nonviolence, underscores the importance of both physical and emotional safety in yoga practice. While pushing physical boundaries can be empowering, it must be done mindfully and with respect for one's limitations to avoid harm. The journey of mastering challenging asanas can be transformative, requiring commitment, courage, and self-compassion. Through this process, practitioners confront their fears, cultivate resilience, and deepen their connection to their inner strength.

Ultimately, whether one aligns more with Team 1 or Team 2, the essence of yoga lies in the individual's journey of self-discovery and growth. As practitioners delve deeper into their practice, they may find themselves drawn to different aspects of yoga at different times, and that's perfectly acceptable. What matters most is maintaining a sense of openness, curiosity, and respect for oneself and others along the journey.

So, whether you're drawn to the meditative aspects of yoga or the physical challenge of advanced poses, embrace your path with sincerity, and may it lead you to greater self-awareness, compassion, and joy.

I WANT TO LEARN EVERYTHING!

If you want to grow your practice but find that "all levels" classes avoid them, you would love practicing with me, constantly learning more advanced asanas within creative dynamic flows!! So join my channel Flow with Justine and start with 7 days free!

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