Balance is essential in all yoga practices, regardless of the type of yoga you choose. Through the practice of yoga, you will improve your balance in the asanas and begin to achieve balance in your life.
Like flexibility, balance varies from person to person. Some people naturally have better balance than others. However, every yoga student can improve balance and advance their practice as a result.
There are some poses that are great for improving balance. Tree pose is one that people often have trouble performing when they begin a yoga practice. Rather than avoiding it, embrace this pose as a method for improving your balance.
There are a few keys to balancing in tree pose that can be applied to balance in many other asanas. The first is to be aware of the foot that remains on the mat. In tree pose, one foot remains on the mat to balance the body, while the other is bent with the foot resting at the top of the inner thigh of the straight leg.
It’s common for the foot that remains on the mat to wobble back and forth, causing you to lose your balance. Think of your foot as a rectangle with four corners: the two sides of the back of the heel, the big toe and the littlest toe. Imagine pushing all four corners of the foot into the mat. As you begin to wobble, locate the area of the foot that is not pushing down and move your weight into the corners of the foot equally to regain balance in the pose.
Another tip that helps in many poses is to find a focal point. This should be a small object or spot that you can focus on to help you stay in balance. Ideally, you should look for a spot that is located where you will be looking in the full pose. For example, in front of you on the floor is good in tree pose. Gaze softly at this spot to help you stay in balance.
Moving slowly into the pose is essential to maintain balance. Take the time to shift the weight into the pose and get your balance before moving further into any balance pose. Moving too quickly without ensuring proper balance will result in not being able to hold the pose.
There are several other poses to practice to enhance your balance. Tree pose is a good standing balance pose. Other good standing balance poses to practice include eagle’s poses, dancer’s pose, warrior III and half moon pose.
One for the mat is the alternate hands and knees balance pose. In this pose, you are on all fours on the mat with the back straight. On the inhale, raise one arm and the opposite leg, for example, the right arm and left leg. Hold for a few breaths, return to all fours and repeat on the opposite side.