Yoga teachers are often asked this question in class. When you are beginning a practice, it often takes a while to feel confident in what you are doing, particularly when there is a lot of attention being brought to a visual of “what the pose should look like”.
Here is a new way to try out your practice: what if instead of trying to make your body fit the yoga posture, you FEEL into your body, and explore how the posture fits within your experience?
Ask yourself questions during your practice- does this feel safe in my body? Where do I feel strong/stretch/stable? What do I notice as sensation? How might I adjust my body to feel safer or more comfortable or more stable in this shape? Asana is not about achieving a perfect downdog, but rather about experiencing the body and all of its connections to how we see ourself and the world we live in.
On and Off the Yoga Mat 