What distinguishes a beginning yoga practice from an advanced practice? Let’s be clear that an advanced practice does not have to include holding the splits while in a headstand. Let’s compare body, mind and breath and how it might be for a beginner and an advanced student.
A beginner is still learning where her body is in space, still learning the proper alignment and how to safely practice.
An advanced student knows his body and honors any limitations. He can modify any posture and understands how to be properly aligned in the modification. He knows how to safely explore the edges.
A beginners mind wanders and is distracted with many racing thoughts, new ideas, frustrations, fears and yet can also be still and peaceful.
The mind of an advanced student is focused on the here and now, focused on body sensations and the movement of each breath. Quiet accepting and alert is this mind.
The breath of a beginner is changeable. Sometimes she holds her breath unconsciously or cuts off a deep breath in search of a deeper stretch.
The breath of the master is the same as her mind; steady. The breath surrounds every movement and the deep, slow ocean breath seems almost automatic through the entire practice.
On any given day and during any given practice we all could be a beginner or a master. Both are acceptable and both can be our teacher and a means of self-discovery.
And then a favorite quote I have been using lots this year: Your body is the instrument of learning about yourself. Yoga is tuning the instrument. Your teachers give you guidance but you must take charge of tuning your own instrument.
LN
