Please remember when working with your yoga that it is important not to push yourself to much. Give your body time to adapt to the changes going on. Pause for a couple of seconds before moving to the next posture. If you feel winded or your muscles shake please stop what you are doing and relax a little. Then when you feel better, continue if you like. If you ever feel dizzy, then stop and sit down. If you feel pain stop.
Here are some simple things to keep in mind while you work on your yoga.
Firstly, if you need to use a block, wall, chair or a strap, then it is a part of your yoga. They are part of your asana (posture) practice. Yoga should not be a competition, with yourself or anyone else. The best way to get the most from your practice, is to relax. If you relax you will find that you have better balance then if you are tense. Your breathing will be easier too, so you will relax more... :)
If you are just beginning, do not try to control your breathing. Just breath normally.
When you are in an posture (asana) and you feel you muscles getting tight. Pull back a little. This allows your muscles to relax, and then they may give you just a little more length.
Please keep in mind that when you are in standing postures, that there should be an arch in your feet. Keeping the arch and pulling the knee cap up (towards the pelvis) will help activate the muscles in your legs, and help to prevent injuries.
When doing standing postures which have one leg at 90 degree angle. The knee should be above the ankle.
In one legged postures where one leg is placed on the ‘standing’ leg. The non-standing foot should NEVER be placed on the KNEE. It should be below or above the knee.
Please remember that when doing any twist. That the ‘twist’ comes from the waist when exhaling, and not on the inhale. The twist moves up the spine rather like a spiral staircase. Please do not over twist.
In some postures you may have to put your arms above your head. When you lift your arms above you head. Only do so, so long as your shoulders do not rise up towards your ears. In time you will find increased flexibility, and you will be able to put your hands together without raising your shoulders. As with any situation, there are exceptions.