Yoga For Balance

When I was younger I wouldn’t think twice about doing headstands in the middle of the living room or balancing on a beam in gymnastics but as I’ve grown older I’ve realized that maintaining balance isn’t as easy as it used to be!

When we’re young we tend to have little fear but as we grow older we become a little more inhibited. Yoga has really helped me get my groove back when it comes to balancing. Here are some yoga poses that really helped me develop my balancing skills. Trust me, it’s a great feeling and a great sense of achievement when you can do them without toppling over J

1. Knee To Chest

• Standing in Mountain Pose, lift your leg up and hug your knee by clasping your hands just below your knee. Now bring your knee to your chest while keeping your back straight.

2. Tree Pose

• From Knee to Chest turn your right knee out and bring the sole of your foot to the inner thigh or calf of your standing leg. Gaze forward and focus on a particular spot.
• Inhale and stretch your arms out to the side at shoulder level with your palms facing up. Exhale.
• On the next inhale raise your arms straight above your head and bring your palms together. Exhale.
• On the inhale stretch and extend your body so you get a good stretch and then bring your palms to your chest in prayer position, if that feels comfortable.
• If you really want to challenge yourself, try doing these with your eyes closed.

3. Warrior III

• Gaze forward and lift your back leg off the floor so it’s parallel to the floor.
• Extend your upper chest and gaze forward while flexing your back foot.
• Keeping your leg straight, extend your arms in front of you, keeping them shoulder width apart.
• Repeat on the other side.

I always find that focusing on a specific spot ahead of me helps me keep my balance.