Hello 
I have a few questions…
I have been practicing yoga for about a month now. And I luv it!
My question is, how long should each pose be held for? Or how many breaths?
Second, how often should I be practicing, and how long should each session I practice be?
As of now, I hold each pose for about 7 breaths, which is about 30 seconds. And each session is about 30-45 minutes, about four times per week.
Third…I smoke, but occasionally. I read in this great Yoga book I bought at Barnes and Noble that smoking stops you from enjoying all the benefits yoga offers…I’m working on quitting. But does anyone have any info on yoga and smoking?
And fourth, How will I know when I’m ready for a more intense yoga? Right now I believe I am practicing Hatha, I do Mountain poses, Proud Warrier, supported shoulerstand and the regular shoulderstand (which I luv), and the sitting pose, and many more. I’m a little confused…is moving up a level mean longer lenght of poses or does it mean different poses?
And Fifth, and last, I promise…Can anyone recomend any great Yoga books? Or DVD’s?
Thank you-Michele