I find balancing poses fun. It’s always a challenge to see how well I can balance on a particular day because not all days are the same. Some days it comes easy, other days, it can seem almost impossible to balance for more than a few seconds.
One of the most important things to remember when practicing balancing poses is to feel your connection to the ground before you attempt to balance. Whether you’re doing a standing balance or an arm balance, it’s important to fully surrender your weight into the earth, to feel that support. This gives you a strong base for the pose and enables you to simultaneously feel grounded yet lifted when you come into the balance.
Focus is also essential. Fixing your gaze on a focal point helps to focus your attention so that you can stay balanced. It’s like a subtle tether that helps keep your body stable as you hold the pose. Generally, the closer the focal point, the easier it is to balance. To see what I mean, try this: Stand facing a wall, with your toes about 8 to 12 inches from the wall, and lift one foot into Tree Pose. You may be surprised at how much easier it is! Have fun!
