Balance: All Things Equal

Tree Pose Yoga Balance

As I wobbled around in Vrksasana (tree pose) in my yoga class the other day I reflected on how importance balance is in our lives, and how easy it is to get out of kilter, both on and off the mat. Work-life balance, emotional balance, nutritional balance: All these things are finely tuned and it doesn’t take much to upset things. At which point I became distracted and lost my balance!

There is something frustrating about losing our balance in one-legged poses. We won’t fall and hurt ourselves as we can just put our elevated foot down to steady ourselves, but when we lose our balance we feel out of control – and the ego hates to lose control.

But good balance is more than being able to perform a yoga pose. It is what enables us to go about our daily lives. Standing, walking, climbing stairs, getting up out of a chair, let alone something as complicated as a yoga pose – all these require physical balance.

Factors contributing to balance

  • Vision

Sight enables you to perceive direction and motion. This is one reason why a yoga teacher will often advise students to look at a fixed point when attempting a balance pose – and why they are all much harder with your eyes shut!

  • Somatosensory System

The nerves in our muscles and connective tissues relay information about our position in the surroundings.

  • Vestibular System

The vestibular system monitors motion, equilibrium and spatial orientation and can be the cause of dizziness if not working properly.

  • Muscle Strength

You need muscular strength in the feet, ankles, legs and core to hold yourself upright and reposition as needed, whether stationary or in motion.

Balance is yet another one of our physical attributes that declines with age. As the things that contribute to good balance deteriorate – our muscular strength, flexibility, eyesight and vestibular system – our balance suffers too. The good news is that you can work on maintaining and even improving your balance and that yoga balances can provide the perfect opportunity to do so.

Tips on improving your balance postures

  • Feet

Start from the ground up and think about your feet. You can even do this in Tadasana (mountain pose) and practise moving your centre of gravity forward or back, to the left or to the right, all the while being mindful of the effect these movements have on your feet. Spread your toes and create a broader base in preparation for a balance. If you are practising a balance using your hands or arms, try and imagine rooting into the ground.

  • Centre of Gravity

As soon as you begin to lift a leg or move your body one way, your centre of gravity shifts. If you are aiming to lift your arms as well as your legs then the higher your centre of gravity becomes, the harder it is to balance. If you have trouble with this start with your legs and arms low and down by your sides or out like a tightrope walker to stabilise yourself.

  • Gaze

Keep you gaze fixed gently on a stationary point not too far ahead.

  • Moving

Move into your balance slowly and mindfully; abrupt movements will destabilise you. If you are practising tree pose, try to visualise a tree. Rooted and secure at the base, but fluid and moving with the wind above. Try and move back out of the balance as slowly and mindfully as you went into it – this is much harder!

  • Breath

Pay attention to the breath. Keeping your breathing calm and steady with stabilise your mind and focus your concentration.

  • Head Position

Pay attention to the position and movement of the head. Not only is it a useful counterbalance but it is also home to the vestibular system in the inner ear. Turning yourself upside down is a great way to stimulate the vestibular system.

  • Props

When needed, use a hand, a wall, a block or another human being as support or to gain stability.

  • Be Playful

Balances are fun. Don’t worry about falling over, because you will. What does it matter?  It’s all good.

Being in balance is finding a state of equilibrium, both physically and mentally. Perhaps that’s why it feels so good to achieve a balance in yoga without a wobble – and even better when feeling balanced in life.

How is your balance? Do you do anything to maintain it?

Signed by: Monika.

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Writer, blogger, mother, wife, wannabe yogi.
Good intentions, zero willpower.

Signed by: Monika Maurer

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