Breathing fast and slow

Sometimes, I miss my yoga practice, as in, I don't make it to the Shala for practice. Some mornings, I'm too tired to rise early enough or a family obligation interferes or I accept the responsibility of some extra duty that takes me away from my yoga practice for a couple of days. Of course, I also have a work schedule, and I'm generally pretty diligent about arranging my practice around it. Still, I have never been able to practice the requisite six days at the Shala. Occasionally, I will practice the asanas at home, but more often, my home practice involves pranayama and meditation. From time to time, I am envious of my fellow ashtangis who seem able to practice every day, and sometimes more than once a day. Quickly enough, however, I am able to reign in the envy, reminding myself that this practice is a journey and its path, and the manner of its unfolding, is as unique as the many practitioners who come to the Shala to roll our their mats on the floor. The practice