“Balance in the body is the foundation for balance in life.”
B.K.S Iyengar
I love this quote, it reminds me that the skills we cultivate on the mat can be transferred and applied to life. Eastern philosophy recognises that our body is a good teacher!
For the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on the theme of balance, my students are really interested in maintaining this skill for functional movement, and yoga can really help. In yoga we work towards balancing the care we give to the mind, body and soul. We cultivate balance within when we gather up our awareness, slow down and listen to the subtle messages of the body. Yoga illuminates the significance of balance, we revisit it over and over again in its many forms. There’s the balance of effort and ease in asana practice, the balance of being and doing, and then there’s the balance of energy levels and emotions. The physical aspect of balance plays a major role in asana practice and since it’s a motor skill we can work to improve it.
It seems that we have a natural tendency to look for balance and equilibrium. Balance brings about feelings of stability, comfort, a sense of calm and steadiness. It’s satisfying, like finding the pattern and rhythm of something. In the visual arts balance is pleasing to the eye, in a physiological sense it’s homeostasis and from a physical perspective it keeps us upright!
Postures which help us to practice balance are tricky, they require the brain to integrate information from the central nervous system, inner ear, eyes, muscles, bones and joints. As we age this cognitive process declines, but yoga provides solutions.
There are many postures which help us to improve our balance, but I first turn to those very simple practices of feeling a connection with the earth through the soles of the feet. Mountain pose or equal standing is the blueprint for all standing asana, it focuses on aligning the spine and expressing an upright position. Standing postures develop strong legs and ankles and start with building a firm foundation from the feet up. Take your mind into your feet, let your feet be free of shoes to increase their natural flexibility and strength.
Our feet have many sense receptors, enjoy exploring the tactile qualities of the surface you are walking on. The way you use your feet for support and balance gauge how steady and grounded you are, an imbalance at the feet impacts on the balance of your body. As soon as you begin to concentrate on rooting down through the points of the feet you naturally lift the arches which support the weight of the body and activate the muscles in the legs, the lower body becomes energised and stable.
Mindfully, transitioning from one pose to another is another strengthening technique. Theses meditative movements help to recruit core body strength encouraging us to make subtle adjustments as we explore shifting the joint space with control and focus. A strong core will keep you upright and steady on your feet. Yoga reminds us to maintain an upright spine, the spine is a pillar of support, its upright position with its natural curves ensures greater support for balance and steadiness. All these practices are key foundations for better balance.
Scientific research shows that our ability to balance is a good predictor of health and life expectancy. It makes sense that the more we are on our feet participating in a variety of activities, yoga, walking, gardening, cycling, dancing, sport etc, the greater our ability to be steady, strong and healthy. Our foundational yoga practices and asana which teach us to stand on one leg will bring about a stronger core body, good posture, a confident gait and maybe a longer life span!
Namaste