Beyond "Advanced" Yoga: Why We Need to Ditch the Labels

Whenever I see yoga classes listed as “advanced” I ask myself, “what does that even mean?”

Based on descriptions, these classes are often filled with challenging poses and practices—physical, mental, or spiritual—that are not always accessible to everyone, especially the newest yoga practitioners.

However, the term advanced makes me a little uncomfortable. As does the term beginner.

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that incorporates movement, mindfulness, and the breath. It takes time to cultivate and your practice can change over time—and not necessarily in the direction of advanced.

As much as I respect the yoga teachers and doctors around me who use these terms, I have to disagree. These labels can create pressure on students to achieve a particular level and discourage those who are unsure of whether they are a good fit for a particular class.

In short, yoga is a personal journey of the body and mind and there is nothing really advanced about it. Where you are on your road is dependent on you alone. Your body’s abilities can change from day to day—or hour to hour. This doesn’t mean you are better or worse at doing yoga at a particular time or in a particular setting. Recognizing where you are in your journey is the yoga.

I used to regularly practice vinyasa-based flows (a dynamic style that connects poses with breath and movement) and could do what many people title advanced poses, such as Bakasana (Crow Pose) and Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose). But at one point, some of these poses stopped feeling good. My leg length discrepancy and scoliosis required more time in between transitions and more consideration of alignment once in a pose and some poses (thanks to my anatomy) were no longer accessible without forcing myself.

Does this mean that I am no longer a strong yoga practitioner or that I don’t deserve to teach because I can’t (or choose not to) do certain poses?

Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

The cornerstone of yoga asana is Tadasana (Mountain Pose); it is the hardest pose for me. Standing evenly on both feet is challenging with scoliosis and a leg length discrepancy. If this basic pose is one of my hardest, does this mean I shouldn’t be in an advanced class? Perhaps.

I understand the need for teachers to use broad categorizations in describing their offerings in order to establish the expectations for individual classes. The terms beginner and advanced serve a practical purpose but often paint an incomplete picture; here are some alternatives I think might work better:

• Focus on practice duration: Consider mentioning "6+ months experience" or "suitable for practitioners with XX experience" instead of using advanced.

• Highlight specific poses or themes: Briefly outline the types of postures or challenges explored in the class, allowing students to make more informed choices regarding their abilities and interests in these areas.

• Mention limitations and contraindications: Be transparent about any prerequisites or physical considerations relevant to the class, promoting inclusivity and avoiding unnecessary discouragement.

Ultimately, the most “advanced” yoga practitioners have learned to listen to their bodies, honor their limitations, and adapt their practices with compassion and wisdom. It’s about respecting your unique journey, celebrating your progress, and understanding that yoga is a lifelong practice, not a race to achieve arbitrary labels.

So, let’s embrace the individuality of yoga while moving away from predefined categories that only play into the ego and need for “achievement.” Explore your own needs at each present moment without judgement and you will find yourself at the exact level you should be.