One of the biggest fears of most of my students is losing balance and falling. It’s why I include balance and stability work in nearly every class I teach.
Balance is NOT absolute stillness, and is rarely perfect for anyone. It is the ability to remain upright and steady, even with all the fluctuations that occur.
If you stand with your eyes closed for a bit, you will probably notice the gentle swaying that happens. That’s your brain and body communicating to keep things in equilibrium.
There is no one muscle responsible for balance, nor one specific pose to practice. Balance involves the whole body: eyes, ears, brain, core, posture, hips, legs, feet, etc. Other factors can affect it too, such as medication or mental focus.
To borrow from Ralph Waldo Emerson (and Aerosmith), balance is a journey, not a destination. Practicing involves continuous awareness, curiosity, and diligence.
You can even practice balancing while sitting in your chair, by leaning to one side and observing what’s happening in your body as you reach that potential “tipping point.” When it comes to practicing, wobbles count too!
If you want to practice yoga with me, I provide many options, including group classes or 1-on-1 sessions via Zoom or in-person, and video recordings.
In Peace & Health,
Eva