Hi there! I’ve been practicing yoga for 1 year 9 months, and it has brought me whole new life!
Although I’m aware it’s not about the level, I’m just curious how I can tell that I am intermediate. I want to hear as many definitions or suggestions as possible.
Thank you!
again i will ask you to read hyp, it gives out changes in your body as you progress, almost all Upanishads on yoga will list out these tell tale marks
Thank you for the great information. I’ve downloaded free version. Looks like quite informative.
I have a slightly different take on the question and thus the reply.
Commonly students ask about Yoga when they really mean asana. Equally common (here) is an underabundance of background information. If the student only has an asana practice and that practice spans less than two years (again we do not know if that is once per week or twice per day) I would tend not to direct them to the vedas, the pradipika, etcetera. I think it’s a bit overwhelming and perhaps even misleading as the mind of the beginner often is unprepared for the load.
It is also important to mention that the variance in practices can bear greatly on the answer to this question. For example an intermediate kundalini student would not be operating under the same definition as an intermediate Bikram student. An intermediate viniyoga student would not be using the same pamphlet as an intermediate ashtanga student, and so on.
What does this mean? Basically it means ask your teacher(s). I can however tell you what I believe an intermediate student is in the alignment-based practice I teach (Purna Yoga™).
That student has foundational safety elements in asana etched in their consciousness such that they align the knee properly in standing poses, protect the back, and maintain the integrity of the neck. That student is able to contract muscles while releasing others, can use the serratus anterior to abduct the scapulae, remains focused without being distracted by external stimulus, understands the concepts and has the ability to place the mind in the body and moves the breath to that placement. That student understands the nature of ego and how to transform it through the practice, begins taking their practice off the mat and applying it in their living, has a grasp of Yamas and Niyamas, and begins to more carefully see what choices they make and the outcomes they lead to.
This to me is a bit of a description of an intermediate student, and I’ve left quite a bit out.
I always thought that moving from a beginner to intermediate stage in yoga was based on how comfortable you are with the postures and so forth… A teacher can tell you what you need to improve on but only you know how comfortable you are with moving to a new level…
Hi, I would suggest that when you can comfortably hold some basic postures such as shoulderstand, forward bend, cobra and triangle for example for 3 minutes without need of adjustments then you are ready for intermediate. It is now time to go for headstand, scorpion ect. with your teacher. Also when you feel the desire to maybe practice everyday at home for even just 20 minutes then you are very nicely progressing in your asana class and may want to begin pranayama after asanas if you choose! Om Om and good luck.
It is true that each independent disciplines like asana, would have very different levels of proficiency and it will be defined under different types of approaches differently.
In Raja-Yoga, these five levels are implied:
• 1/ Seeker - an inquisitive person turns inward, understands why mind and the thinking process are pivotal in search of truth, and feels inspired to seek the ultimate truth.
• 2/ Disciple: a seeker starts practicing the Yoga methods and practices (yama, niyama, asana & pranayama) with which a spiritual expedition is launched, culminating into a vision of the path as well as of Ishvara and seeker becomes a disciple as thought process is consciously controlled.
• 3/ Yogī: discipleship of rigorous Yoga practice helps develop an insight of emotional intelligence on way to becoming a Yogī who dwells in the inner domain by non-attaching mind to thinking process.
• 4/ Mahayogī: a soul connection and advanced Yoga practices lead to intuitive spiritual intelligence and a Yogī becomes a Mahayogī who can glide through the three states of dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
• 5/ Mahaṛshi (Yoga-Master): a Mahayogī is tested intensely by Ishvara and groomed rigorously for comprehending the essence of consciousness and becoming a Master who attains a sustained spiritual state, where the three states are present at once and ever.
One may argue about the names/ labels of the levels (and free to have one’s own) but the levels are distinctly clear. This is extremely sketchy description, but true nevertheless. Important thing is that this does not measure time spent in the practice, but recognizes spiritual milestones.
[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;42044]I have a slightly different take on the question and thus the reply. [/QUOTE]
Thank you for such a priceles and profound wisdom. Now I know it?s a long way to go, but thanks to your advice, I?m sure the journey will be more meaningful. To be honest, becoming intermediate is much more difficult than I thought.
I used to see a small picture like, ?If I could do the bridge posture, I can call myself intermediate?, or ?If I could overcome the overall weakness in left side, I am intermediate?. So this bigger picture you gave me is a real gift. Thank you.
You also helped me to realize what my personal definition for being intermediate is.
My absolute purpose of practicing yoga is to find a balance within me. As a Japanese, I automatically pull myself so other?s choice will go through, when I communicate with people from anywhere, only to lead misunderstandings or end up in disadvantage.
I want to become aware of my inner voice so I will always be comfortable in any situation among virtually any people. And I think that?s when I reached to the level you mentioned.
[QUOTE=brit716;42047] A teacher can tell you what you need to improve on but only you know how comfortable you are with moving to a new level…[/QUOTE]
True… I’m trying to walk big stride to stretch legs, and funny enough, walking is such an uncomfortable stuff now!! Although I enjoy it because I know I’m improving this way. I want to try running someday, but I know I’m not ready for that level. When the walking became comfortable, I will start running.
[QUOTE=Narayani Bear;42057]Hi, I would suggest that when you can comfortably hold some basic postures such as shoulderstand, forward bend, cobra and triangle for example for 3 minutes without need of adjustments then you are ready for intermediate.[/QUOTE]
3 minutes is an interesting and new number to me. This is something I would love to keep in mind. Thanks.
And yes, I started practicing myself and that’s when I could truly listened to my body, and the flexibility has improved tremendously.
Interestingly, I started this Indian lady’s class which includes pranayama about a month ago, and I feel like I joined at the right time.
[QUOTE=Suhas Tambe;42074] ? 1/ Seeker - an inquisitive person turns inward, understands why mind and the thinking process are pivotal in search of truth, and feels inspired to seek the ultimate truth. [/QUOTE]
I like being a Seeker rather than a Beginner, because I am seeking the ultimate truth, and in fact, I found one. Yoga doesn’t just strengthen me but also make me aware of and accept weakness. And why some of the relationships don’t work is because they are not aware of the weakness of each other nor accept it.
Why are we so focussed on [I]rating[/I] our practice?
It’s not necessarily a rating, though I’ve not read the contents of the thread carefully. In the current context of western asana practice it seems relevant to assess what level of class one should be attending. Though, ideally, that should be felt from the inside out. But if most of us were already able to feel from the inside out we’d likely not be going to yoga classes in the first place:-)
It’s not a rating but a guidance to those who don’t know the direction like myself. Without guidance, how would one be able to continue the journey?