I HAVE NOTICED . . . as I walk through class, only a few students practice with the breath. This means, only a few students are even remotely coming close to experiencing the full beauty of yoga. Breathing, with the ujjayi breath, (breath with sound) is essential and quite simply the most important aspect of your practice. Begin your practice by filling your body with the breath. Start by pulling your breath from the far reaches of your low belly. Allow the breath to rise slowly and fully up your spine. Then, without a seam in your breath reverse the process, squeezing your belly button toward your spine. The breathing should not be labored or convulsive, rather soft and full. Remember, the ujjayi breath is resonant. You accomplish this by slightly closing the nasal/throat passageway and sounding a little like Darth Vader. Good luck in your practice and remember the practice is the breath.