Balance

Being a yoga teacher it is easy to assume that I am speaking of yoga poses. Vrksasana (tree pose), Garudasana, Ardha Chandrasana, Handstand, Bakasana (crane pose) and so on. And although I am teaching some of these poses in my classes this week; I think it is a search for balance in my own life that is on my mind. (It is now that we can go back to the age-old argument...the chicken or the egg? Which came first?) Is it because of my teaching these balancing poses this week that I have balance on my mind, or, is it because I am looking for a balance that I am teaching these poses? Who knows and who really cares? It is the search for balance that I think we all share and we can all understand.

When I teach these poses I start with the ground, the feet, our foundation. From there everything grows and this is how we find stability, alignment, extension, and openness. Every week I am amazed at how the words from my class seep into my life.

When looking at life, why not start from the ground? I can put my feet down! When I spread them wide I begin to feel. When I feel, I can feel the ground supporting me, holding me, inviting me to let go. When I stop and allow myself to feel, I understand that I have a foundation, security, and stability.

But how do we find balance?

If we are inflexible, it is hard to balance. When we are too loose, and non-committal, it is hard to balance. When we shift too far in one direction, it is hard to balance. When we move too fast, it is hard to balance. When we are centered...ahhh...balance is not too far away. But where is the center? The Center is a place that feels right. It is comfortable, easy, and open. You usually know when you are in the center. It’s instinctive. We need to listen and feel.

Balance. Feels right. Easy. Comfortable. Instinctive.

So, all I can do over and over again is simply begin with my feet and feel. Once I can feel it is easier to move slowly in the direction of the whisper that I hear. It is these faint whisperings from myself, my instinct, that bring me closer to my center.

Ahhh...balance is not too far away.