Yoga & Your Breathing- a new perspective

I have practiced yoga on and off for the last 12 years. It wasn't until recently that I have gained a new perspective on the practice.
Some of the positions can be quite difficult and challenging.  I noticed that it was hard for me to maintain my breathing and balance when attempting to stay longer in a position.  This lead to unsteady balance and a lot of loud breathing.  I would then become frustrated with myself and feel defeated.  

I recently got back into the practice and started with yoga level 1.  I started to observe my behaviors in yoga class and noticed a connection to my everyday life.  Was it true when work, relationships, health, etc became hard and challenging in my life that my breath became unsteady and I became frustrated and stressed? 

Recently, something has shifted for me in yoga class.  I can really listen to my breath and how I react by breathing through the uncomfortable positions.  Practicing and maintaining a constant flowing breath in yoga class has given me a greater awareness of how this is needed in my own life when times are difficult.  

To me yoga is not about doing the positions correctly or staying in a position for an extended period of time but really about listening and knowing your breath when doing it.

Become the observer of your breath in your next yoga class...