Yoga for Balance

By: Sue Fuller, from Wellbeingworldonline.

The physical body is rarely symmetrical, most people are aware that one side of the body is stronger or more flexible than the other. These imbalances will slow down and restrict our flow of vital life force or prana which can eventually lead to minor aches and pains, incorrect alignment, emotional stress and tension and inefficient functioning of the internal organs. To help us maintain and enjoy optimum levels of health, it is important that we work to find balance both physically and emotionally and yoga is the perfect activity to help us do just that! Balance is not about strength!

Balance is not about strength or standing on one leg. Finding balance goes beyond the physical aspect. If we take the words Ha tha Yoga and look at the literal translation which is;- sun moon yoke the joining or coming together of the sun and the moon. It is obvious that one of the main objectives of Hatha Yoga was to bring harmony or balance to opposites and help them work together for positive changes to occur. From this starting point it soon becomes apparent that Yoga by its very nature provides us with a stream of postures and techniques to balance our entire being. For example;- postures work right and left sides of the body to help balance our strength and flexibility, postures that focus on the lower body are taught alongside those that focus on the upper body, forward bends and back bends compliment each other, twists are performed on each side, strong standing postures are balanced with floor based postures, after a physical practice a time is also dedicated to relaxation techniques and so on. Once the body is experiencing a greater sense of balance we can start to enjoy improved levels of health and vitality. We are less likely to injure ourselves, falls and tumbles will become rarer, aches and pains experienced due to incorrect posture will diminish, energy levels will be enhanced as stress and tension caused by imbalances are removed (pranic energy can travel freely throughout the body), internal organs will function more efficiently, circulation will improve and greater levels of oxygen and nutrients will be received by the cells. Not forgetting that the mind will become clearer and more focussed too. With a little extra attention Yoga has the ability to rebalance our entire being.

Quick Tip for improving your Balance Do balancing postures during your yoga class fill you with fear? If the answer is yes, then it is worth coming right back to basics and working on postures that help to open the body, especially the chest and heart area. Balancing becomes easier when energy can flow freely around the body. If the chest is closed and the shoulders are rolled forwards it can be difficult to balance as the body is pulled forward and out of alignment. Baddha Konasana (The Cobbler or Bound Angle) dha Konasana is a simple seated posture that is easy to perform. Next time you practice it try doing so whilst paying attention to balance, all opposites, alignment and all physical and energetic sensations experienced. Begin by sitting with a straight spine and the soles of your feet together. Become aware of the connection between your sitting bones and the floor, then work to draw up your lower abdominal muscles maintaining the connection between your sitting bones and the floor. Take your time to feel that you are growing up out of the crown of your head, feel the length of your spine as you maintain a connection between your sitting bones and the earth. Instead of holding onto your feet allow your wrists to rest lightly on your knees, to help open the chest and the area around the heart. Now take your focus to the sides of your body, both sides of your body from your underarms to the floor should be equal in length, also notice the position of your torso and keep your chest open, make sure that your body is not rotating keep it square to the front. Now notice your knees, both knees should be releasing equally towards the floor. As you hold the posture breathing slowly in and out through your nose continue to scan through all of these areas to ensure that the body remains in a state of balance. When you feel ready it is possible to work on the subtle connection between breath and movement. As you inhale allow your knees to lift slightly and as you exhale allow the knees to drift towards the floor. Remain mindful throughout.

To find out more about Sue Fuller and the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes or to listen to free samples please visit www.yoga2hear.co.uk or visit www.wellbeingworldonline.com for Yoga 2 Hear classes and audio classes by leading teachers from around the globe in Meditation, Pilates, Relaxation, Sound Healing, Vocal Training, Music and more. Sue Fuller is the creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and is the resident yoga expert for Natural Health Magazine UK. Find out more about Yoga 2 Hear or discover audio classes by leading teachers from around the globe in yoga, meditation, pilates, relaxation, sound healing, vocal training, music and more at Wellbeing World Online.