The answer to this question is very simple but don’t underestimate it because it is also very powerful. They are two things that go hand in hand and when practiced can improve your practice in huge amounts.
Breathing
Your breathing might be short, might be shallow, might be fast, it doesn’t matter, yes we are trying to train our breathing to be long, slow and deep, but most of all yoga is not about forcing, it is about flowing, embracing, accepting. So accept how your breathing is each day and flow with it.
Your breathing is a powerful tool, it is an anchor, it will bring you present which leads us to the next step to improve your practice.
“Your breathing is a powerful tool, it is an anchor, it will bring you present which leads us to the next step to improve your practice.”
Presence
Yes you are physically present in class (I can see you there hehe) but our mind wonders, to our day, to other people in the class, comparing and judging how good or bad we are at yoga, etc
Practice forgetting all that, leaving it all behind, what matters is you and your conection with yourself, you come to the mat or to the class for yourself, so practice bringing your mind back to you, your body, your own skin, your own breathing, time and time again.
It is by being present and with your breath that you will find space, that you will notice when you went too far, or when you have space to go a little further – and find improvement in the postures you are in.
This way you are going to make the most of your practice, and improve your practice every time you come to the mat, promise.