Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete. It’s a sense of harmony. Our lives are made up of so many different areas, both internal and external – (work, finance, family, friends, romance, health, our mind, heart, hobbies, etc.) that sometimes it seems impossible to give 100% to each and every area, all of the time. But guess what? That’s ok. Giving 100% to all of those areas, all of the time, does not create balance. It only creates stress.
Living a balanced life is about integrating components of your life that are important to you without focusing too much on one component or being too extreme towards one area (remember, when one area of your life is imbalanced, it can affect the others). Of course there will be times when you need to make choices about what has to come first, but as long as you don’t neglect the other areas of your life, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to live the balanced life that most of us crave.
Feeling like you’ve been focusing too much on one area of your life and putting others on the back-burner? This week’s featured classes will help you explore your capacity for balance, on the mat and off.
- Balancing Act with Sara Clark: Finding balance is a daily practice. Sometimes it comes with ease, and other times it is a quest. How you show up on your mat, and in life, is everything. Through a practice of standing on one leg, explore your relationship to balance on the mat, to support you in life off the mat. Come as you are and focus your attention on compassion and patience as you move. Props Suggested: A block.
- Balance Your Brain with Jodi Blumstein: The most difficult breathing sequence taught in the Ashtanga yoga system is the alternate nostril sequence. Taught with “kumbaka” (retentions), this sequence is quite advanced. For more accessibility, learn this breath technique without holding your breath in or out. Receive all of the benefits of deepening your lung capacity and mental focus. Begin with a quick discussion before moving directly into breath work that will bring you balance.
- Shelter from the Storm with Alex van Frank: Press the pause button on the noise of life and come into the calmness that is the essence of your being. Cultivate a nurturing practice with this series of poses that help shift you to awaken your natural balance and strength. Move through slow, mindful postures, allowing yourself to be supported by props, surrendering into the release. If suggested props are not available, substitutions are given, like using pillows, blankets or couch cushions. Props Suggested: Two bolsters and a chair.
- Slow Breath, Calm Mind with Rod Stryker: Experience first hand how your breath is the key to shaping your mind. The poses will be simple but the focus on breath will be constant throughout. Use asana to improve breath and your breath to improve mental focus. Emphasize the calming and grounding power of lengthening exhale with forward bends and twists. Close with pranayama to leave you feeling balanced and stable.
- Manage for Stress and Anxiety with Movement with Jason Crandell: Manage your physical and mental discomfort by bringing your focus to your body with this practice. Move through this flow to anchor your attention to the present moment and mitigate your mind’s tendency to spin out of control. Practice a sequence of sun salutations, standing postures, twists and an inversion, moving with intentional transitional movements between the postures. Maintain steady breathing throughout and allow your mind to reframe back to a balanced state. Props Suggested: A block.
