Mind, Body, Balance

Have you ever noticed that its usually easier to balance one leg than the other? We easily recognize a lack of balance in our physical selves, but it can be more difficult to recognize a lack of balance in our mind and spirit.  Our physical imbalances, however, are indicative of imbalances in our mind and spirit.  We may never fully realize that imbalance, however, except through meditation.  In Western culture, however, the word meditation frequently raises eyebrows or is brushed aside as something that we busy, successful, hard working people can't be bothered with.

Not only do we think we can't be bothered, but another common response is fear. To sit and meditate for 5, 10, or 30 minutes makes people nervous and anxious. I've heard people say countless times that they just can't sit still for that long, or they feel like they're wasting time because all they can think about it all of the things they need to do.  What could possibly be so important in our lives that we can't allow ourselves a window of time to do nothing?  Why are we so accepting of letting our bodies sit around and do nothing but we refuse to allow our minds to do the same?  And to be fair, we aren't really doing nothing.  We are simply being in the state that we are meant to be in. Yoga is our natural state.  The asanas, or poses, that one moves through in a physical yoga practice are intended to prepare the mind and body for a seated meditation practice.  The mind-body connection of yoga reveals to us where we are resisting our natural state.

Balance poses, such as Vrksasana (Tree pose), demonstrates the challenge of remaining grounded when we have less support to rely on (one leg instead of two).  Similarly, our life situation is more challenging when we feel that we have no one around us for support.  Yet we always have the one most important source of support: Spirit.  Spirit resides within so we can never be without.  Find your physical balance and see how it translates to your inner balance.

The way you feel about your yoga practice as you move through the asanas reveals your willingness to accept things as they are.  Whatever will be will be. Frustration, anger, worry, fear, these are all forms of resistance to what is happening to us in that moment. We resist challenging asanas for fear of failure.  We tell ourselves, "I can't do that."  And that is true if you have already decided that.  But when you face a challenge with a positive mindset, you can change the outcome dramatically.  Fear of lifting that other foot off the ground in an arm balance such as Crow, or lifting into headstand without the wall behind you may be all that's stopping you.  Fear tricks un into believing that we have lost our balance, that we are unsupported, that we are going to fall or fail.  Honor your body and where you are in your practice, but don't let fear be your guide. 

Try using this short practice below to regain your balance and confidence when life tries to knock you down:

Come to Balasana (Child's pose).  Sink your hips to your heels and rest or forehead on your mat or a block.

Breathe.  Let your breath become slow, deep, and balanced.  Close your eyes and take a deep breath to a count of 4. Hold your breath for a moment at the top, then exhale completely for a count of 4. Hold your breath empty for a moment and repeat this breath cycle several times.

Stand up to Tadasana (Mountain pose).  Root both feet into the mat and stand tall, shoulders drawn down from your ears and the crown of your head reaching up to the sky.

Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)
Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III)
Vrksasana (Tree pose)
Return to Tadasana and repeat previous 3 poses on the other side.

Bakasana (Crow or Crane pose)

Come to easy seated pose for 5 minutes of meditation.  End your practice with the mantra below, repeated several times. (Sound keeps the Universe in balance. Try this mantra to balance the energy of the sun and the moon within you, to build confidence, and clear your spiritual path.)

RaMa RaMa RaMa RaMa RaMa RaMa Ram Ram Ram