As much as your mind may say "I need to look like the instructor in this pose," it is not always true. Each one of our bones are shaped differently thanks to genetics and diet. Muscles just like our bones are the same, one side may be larger or smaller then the other due to diet, exercise, injury or repetative motion (such as a baseball pitcher with an overworked right arm). If you don't already know what are the areas in which you hold pain or tension in your body? These generally will be the areas that are overworked and need to be addressed to further your yoga
practice. Do you sit in an office all day hunched over a computer? Chances are your downward facing dog pose will be challenging, yet it will also help bring release to that tension.Write a mental list of these areas and check how they feel when you take your next yoga class. Also, when you see the super flexible instructor or yogi neighbor attempting Mermaid pose don't give into the feeling of competition, remember your body is structured differently. Listen to what it says!
Take some time to try an at home practice to test your body awareness. Doing a slow, breath filled practice at home will allow your body to relax in a comfortable setting without the pressure of following a class pace. Take a few sun salutations to get started http://www.yogasite.com/sunsalute.htm) and then move into Warrior I or Warrior II. (You may choose other poses that are challenging to your practice, if you don't remember which ones or would like to see other variations check out: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_categories). With your new body awareness in mind, try to relax. Don't force your body into a position it is not ready for. Listen when your muscles feel they are being stretched beyond a comfortable position, stop and come out of or lessen the pose. Breathe here and allow those tense muscles to renew its oxygen supply. Then go back into the pose slowly. Taking these steps will help you dig deeper into the tough poses.
When you have completed your home class take time to see what feels different in your body before rushing to your next project. Ask yourself what feels different and what did you learn? Slowly answer these questions and rest in your rejuvanated body. The best part of yoga is the mental and physical clarity after finishing your practice! Relish in it!
