Balance - Week 9

We all need balance in our lives. Mind, body and emotions,all benefit from being balanced. Yoga can help with all three areas. The body work we do in class helps to bring balance to our muscles and body structure. It is good to be aware when there is an imbalance in our body, from that awareness we can then work at reducing the imbalance. Taking time out for ourselves and for our yoga gives us the opportunity for the mind to be released from the daily tasks that make up our lives, this in turn can calm emotions that can build through a stressful or even just a full and busy day.

Breathing is an excellent exercise to bring balance to the mind and the body. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, alternate nostril breathing, increases vitality and lowers level of stress and anxiety which helps to bring balance, it also cleanses.

Sit in a comfortable position with the back straight. Place the right hand thumb over the right nostril and the ring finger and little finger over the left nostril, the two middle fingers rest on the bridge of the nose. The left hand rests on the left thigh with the palm turned up The inhale and exhale are the same length. .Close the right nostril and breathe in through the left, close the left and breath out through the right. breath in through the right and then close the right and breath out through the left.This is one round. Try working 10 rounds and when finished release the hand and breath normally through both nostrils.

To work on improving your standing balance, work with bare feet and spend time spreading the feet so that they have an even contact where they release into the floor. Make sure that the knees are not locked.  Lift one leg off the floor and hold in position, then repeat with the other leg. When this exercise becomes very stable try with the eyes closed.

Keeping a good balance in our body reduces the risk of falls.  Working on balance also improves our concentration.

Next week is Week 10, the last class of the set which means we will have a long relaxation at the end of the class to look forward to.