Layers of yoga

I’ve been thinking lately about the various layers of yoga, which I have developed and modified from the work of Ramanand Patel. He describes how what is correct at one level is often not correct from the vantage of another level, and how this helps our comfort with paradox. I would love any thoughts you have on whether this paradigm makes sense to you and how you approach these layers in your own practice.



Layer 1: Muscles. Most beginners start with a geometric understanding, which is primarily outer alignment and muscle-oriented. You modify for pain, injury and weakness. You notice the outer anatomy of your teacher and try to mimic it. You pay attention to right versus left side and where the knees are. You can hold each pose for about one minute. You forget sometimes about the breath while trying to “get the pose.”


Layer 2: Bones. Beginners to intermediate students start to learn how to transfer the weight of each pose to the bones, and thereby can hold poses longer without fatigue. Your breath is more synchronized with your asana. You can hold each pose for one to two minutes.



Layer 3: Early Integration. Your mind and body are more aligned and you observe how your body is receiving poses with some detachment. The asanas become more receptive rather than directive. You learn to adjust the pose to serve your health. For many women, that is an understanding of how we bypass strength to go straight to our flexibility edge. We adapt to our individual needs. Asanas may be held for three minutes or longer.

Layer 4: Energy. Your mind becomes attuned. You notice the difference between productive thought and unproductive thought. You develop your inner observer. You notice where energy is stuck in your body. You bring your breath and awareness there. You start to surrender to the wisdom of the body. Inner alignment starts to shift.

Level 5: Full Integration/Quiet mind. Your perception of your senses becomes more careful and discerning. You approach a place of unconditional love and freedom in your yoga. There is more being, totally present, and less doing.

Re: Layers of yoga

I can relate to your layers…….  I have noticed it in my own practice…..  I started a serious practice about two months ago and have noticed the progress and it goes along with the layers …….   the few classes were all about muslcels… :)  I really noticed how tired I was and, the poses did not come easily .. i was always checking and rechecking…. my breath was hardly used…. i always forgot…..
          then a few weeks into it….. I  noticed i could flow into a pose….. and i wasn't as tired …. so i could pay attention to my breath……
      and now at the two month mark I have noticed that my breath is very consistent and i am really deepening into the poses….
                  I am looking forward to achieveing levels 4 and 5…… :)

Re: Layers of yoga

lovely description of the layers! i find that my experience with yoga doesn’t always progress linearly. there are some days when it’s all about the energy - where it’s stuck, where it needs breath support; and other days i just need to be geometric to get embodied. Levels 4 & 5 are elusive and seem to come when I least expect it. One time in a yoga class, I was trying a difficult arm balance that always eludes me, and a small white feather landed on my mat… I tuned into the feather, it’s etheral and lightness, and the arm balance came easily. Not sure which level that was, but it felt very pure and beautful. You made me think of it - thanks!

How great that you discovered yoga. What else do you like about it?

sara/yogini

Re: Layers of yoga

I have been doing yoga tapes on and of for a several years and then for about a year I took a class at a local gym but it just never felt good …… I would read my yoga journal and feel really disconnected because I had no idea what they were talking about…. and then September  I took a class at the local yoga studio here..  
          It was after that class that i began to understand what the articles in yoga journal were talking about….. 
            what I love about yoga is that its not about results and hard work and no pain no gain but about getting in touch with your body and your energy…… yet your body shows the results but so does your soul……… 
             When i leave my yoga class i feel calm and inspired every week that feeling lasts longer and I can feel it  spreading to all areas of my life……..  
                 its the lessons of working WITH your body  not against it……… working with life and not against it…….
                                                melissa