Long holds are the hardest! I often start shaking a lot, especially in my lower legs, ankles, feet, making it hard to hold onto the pose. I'm not sure why I shake so much as I'm certainly stronger now than when I started. I've been going to this practice for a year, though I took several months off when we went back to the US for May-July.

My instructor is very, very big on alignment and proper breathing. He is so good about reminding us over and over to breath, and does lots of hands-on corrections to help us open our hips or shoulders or whatever the pose requires.

Yoga is so difficult at times, but I love to challenge myself and am very glad I started going. Don't think I've cried yet, though I know it is supposed to be a way to release emotions. That must happen with other exercise as well, because I sure cried a lot while running or cycling for a long time after losing my dad, but I haven't had too much very sad happen to me since then (and I feel very fortunate since that was 10 years ago!)