Hola! Headed to Morocco today, which is the first step in crossing off a big bucket list item: visit Africa. Obviously Africa is huge, and there is so much more to see, but Morocco is in Africa, so it's a baby step.
Anyway, today I'm sharing my tips for how to avoid the common mistakes I see in navasana (boat pose). This is a great pose for strengthening the core, and used to bring me a lot of rage, if I'm being honest, haha. It also strengthens the hip flexors. If you're a beginner, just bend your knees and take the shins parallel to the floor. If you're intermediate, keep working toward extended legs and keep the chest lifted. The chest caving is usually the first thing I see when form is compromised.
The biggest tip I can give is to start with a solid foundation by removing the flesh underneath the sitting bones before you even pick the legs up. Doing this will make you feel more stable and secure in the pose and will help you to balance better. Try to breathe for 5 - 7 breaths before taking a break.