Advanced is a tricky term in yoga - because it is, ideally, a goal-free practice. Realistically, learning some of the key lessons is a goal. Advanced Students respond to the "experiential learning" (somatic ed) of yoga, learning to release emotional tension from mind and body, and redirect other energy into yoga practice. "Advanced Students" have the ability to relax and enjoy life, and LISTEN to their bodies - challenging oneself without pushing beyond one's current level. Also, "Advanced Students"  do not sacrifice the form of the asana for aesthetics (or what a novice yogi would consider depth in the pose). "Advanced level" is more about learning to connect on this level, not acrobatics. The physical challenge is a blast, very satisfying, but that is a pleasurable bonus to the deeper practice.

If you get into truly advanced levels, you can connect to the "Chakti" energy within you. Some instructors get pretty esoteric and "tutti-frutti" about this - heavy duty metaphysics. A simple explanation is that we connect with our bodies and become so sensitive to our bodies' energies and needs that we go into Stage 3 Yoga. Stage 3 - we do not choose what to do - we just let our bodies move "spontaneously" into yoga poses (and some movements that do not resemble any classic yoga pose), and allow that energy to flow freely through us, as it will, taking us where it wants to go. It is a liberating, energizing and exciting practice.

I have been in this stage, and it fulfills me deeply. I just surrender to my body - sometimes it is gentle and subtle, sometimes it is a fierce and powerful tide of impulses to move strongly. Gradually, we channel the energy back into a more controlled form, and complete this practice. Afterwards, we are often speechless, body feels alive and tingling head to toe, we feel "high" in an open and healthy way, every sense in your body is heightened, body is not drained - it is energized. This is a heightened state of awareness - body, mind, and spirit are FULLY ALIVE. It is very cool.

I do not teach the deeper practices to any class that has drop-ins. Students need to be very aware of their bodies, open to the experience, non-judgmental of any energy that comes up (whether it is anger, grief, joy, sexual, focused, scattered) - all the energy can be channeled into yoga for Stage 3. Then the student needs to have a basic knowledge of yoga and movement, and a certain level of flexibility to allow the energy to flow. (like I said, it is really listening to your body so carefully that you are following its lead, without judgment, letting it express itself).

Lastly, the student needs to know how to use the "energy locks" (Bandhas). From a physiological standpoint, Bandhas are a contraction of muscles deep within the body that support the spine or basic structure of the body, enabling you to go more deeply into a pose and hold it longer with less distal muscular support and effort. Mulabhanda (A.K.A. "core lift" or "the squeeze") is the most important Bandha - lifts the perineum by subtle contraction of the transversus abdominus and (for women) cervix and uterus. For men, it also contracts comparable musculature. I don't know what your knowledge of A&P (anatomy and physiology) is, so I will keep it at that. Anyhow, this contraction lends support to the core of your body - lumbar and sacral vertebrae and abdomen. It is subtle - as people BEGIN to learn it, they contract really deeply - they yank up the whole pelvic floor from anus to genitals, and contract them tightly. It is similar to a Keggle exercise, so many novices contract the muscles all together and dramatically as in a Keggle, until they learn to isolate each muscle. As you get more experienced, you are able to control each muscle on a more subtle level, and you can lift and contract the perineum without contracting the anal sphincter. As students learn this technique, it can OFTEN release sexual energy. Care should be taken - particularly in the Springtime when sexual energy is generally heightened.  If the student is focused deeply on their yoga practice, they are able to channel that energy back into the yoga, or release unmanageable sexual energy through techniques (Kapalabhati breathing, meditation, etc.) For some students who have had sexuality issues (abuse, repressed homo- or bi-sexuality, judgmental attitudes about sex, or a lack of physical fulfillment) there can be a lot of confusing emotional and psychological issues that arise. In the yoga community (in India, as well as the US), it is considered that American Students have a more challenging time with this technique due to what is referred to as "the Puritan Damage" (not my term - it is a term used in Yoga). So, you need to be pretty comfortable with yourself before you practice channeling and directing this powerful energy. At first, some students do not see the difference in their practice. It takes a few months to really get control over these muscles, and then you see your practice evolve light years.

It has the added benefit of enhancing your sex life, and connecting you to your physical sexuality with more sensitivity and control.  Many schools of yoga are about "transcending" the body - the body is treated as profane, but this yogic lineage is Tantric.  Tantric means that you do not ignore the body - it is part of your spirituality, and the physical can be sacred, conscious, and divine.