In a led yoga class, the breath is usually cued at specific times, with specific movements, following a specific timing. This is how the class must be taught, of course, but yoga practitioners often find themselves exhaling when the teacher said inhale, and vice versa. Or, it may take three rounds of breath to match just one breath cued by the teacher. The result of mismatched breathe is an influx of thoughts. The mind gets caught up in anticipation of timing, the breath becomes labored, and the practice is compromised. This is one reason why a home practice, or self practice, can be so beneficial; it helps you find your natural breath.

Think about it — have you ever struggled to keep up with the breath cues during sun salutations? You’re not alone. It can take a lot of practice to build up the breath stamina required to keep up with certain yoga sequences in class. A home practice can help you develop an intimate relationship with your breath. The only one dictating when to inhale and exhale is you — no expectations, no scrambling, just breath and movement.

If you find a home practice intimidating because you’re not sure what poses to do, or how to start, begin with sun salutations. Commit the sequence to memory and try linking your breath to the movements. You may need to add extra breaths, but try to sync your breath to certain movements in the following way:

Inhale arms overhead.
Exhale fold forward.
Inhale look up.
Exhale, step back to plank and lower down into chaturanga. (This is where you may need to add extra breaths. You can exhale and step back to plank. Inhale there, and then exhale as you lower in chaturanga.)
Inhale cobra or upward facing dog.
Exhale downward facing dog.
Now breathe. Five breaths, or as many as you’d like.
Exhale look forward.
Inhale step forward, looking up with a flat back.
Exhale fold forward.
Inhale rise up, arms overhead.
Exhale arms down.

Try five rounds of sun salutations, becoming comfortable with the flow of breath. Once you have memorized the sequence, you can come back to it whenever you need it. You could even start each day with sun salutations. Let your home practice compliment the led classes you take as a way to deepen your connection to breath, and ultimately, to yourself.