Finding another level
In yoga spaces, ‘levels’ is a term with multiple implications. Many people engage with yoga’s mental, spiritual and social aspects, which can be understood as ‘finding another level’ beyond the physical practice of yoga asana. It’s worth remember that asana is only one of the eight limbs of yoga, and that the original intention of asana is to prepare the body to sit still in meditation. If you find yourself feeling calmer, more focused, or more observant of your thoughts and feelings after a yoga class, I think this could be expressed as ‘finding another level’.
Lots of group classes are described as ‘all levels’, which is often intended to be an indication of inclusion, but the phrase has implications of hierarchy and advancement that do not easily align with an inclusive yoga philosophy. Do I have to be able to do handstand to be an advanced yoga practitioner? Surely not, since the purpose of yoga is not ‘to do handstand.’
So that’s two understandings of levels, but right now I’m interested in a much more physical and functional use of the term. I’ve been thinking that for the vast majority of us, an extra benefit of yoga asana is confidence in functional movements. And that in turns allows us to participate more confidently in our communities and to feel better placed for active engagement with the eight limbs of yoga, particularly the yamas and niyamas.
When I think about finding another level in the classes I teach, I think about moving physically to another level. From a chair to standing. From all fours to sitting on the floor. Perhaps, with several movements and cues, from standing to lying down. If you’ve never had to notice the multiple processes involved in these actions, take a moment to acknowledge your privilege. And if you do have to consciously think about a functional movement like getting out of the bath, sitting down in the car, or carrying a heavy saucepan to the table, please know that you are part of a large group of people. You are NOT unfit/unhealthy/too stiff/too old/too weak and your body absolutely is capable of doing yoga. Find a teacher who acknowledges that these functional movements matter, and recognizes that inclusion is about more than providing three options for handstand.