Creating Balance

“Life is all about balance.  You don’t always need to be getting stuff done.  Sometimes it’s perfectly okay, and absolutely necessary, to shut down, kick back, and do nothing.” Lori Deschene

“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create” Jana Kingsford

As a yoga teacher, I often tell my students about inviting more self-care, living in the present moment and finding time to rest and recover.  However, this is not always an easy task to do.  Our minds love to chime in when our bodies are trying to rest.  Thoughts about past events or conversations.  Things that we need to do next.  It never fails that when I sit down to relax, I often feel guilty since I know I “should” be doing something more productive.  However, doing nothing is actually doing something!  Your body, mind and spirit require the time to recharge.  Pushing yourself only leads to excess stress hormones collecting in your body and breaking down your immune system.  Scheduling time to yourself is key.  I book time in my calendar for downtime.  Time to do yoga, get a massage, meditate, watch a TV show, etc.  Something that just allows me to recover and feel more like myself again.  Some days are easier than others.  But each day, hit the reset button and try again.  No judgments, just do your best.

Short open hip sequence for creating balance.

This sequence is meant to show a strong still lower body while the upper body moves and flows.  The balance between moving and settling into a calm stillness is found in a single yoga pose.  There are also quiet moments of holding the posture.  Enjoy!

  • Begin in Warrior 2, facing left side of mat
  • Eagle Arms (wrap  left arm under right) or Bear Hug (hold onto opposite shoulders)
  • Movement = Inhale lift elbows for a mini back bend, Exhale lower
  • Release back to Warrior 2
  • Inhale Reverse Warrior
  • Movement = Exhale lower your right arm down, Inhale raise your arm up and over
  • Exhale Warrior 2
  • Inhale Reverse Triangle
  • Exhale Triangle Pose
  • Movement = Arm circles, Inhale reach up and back, Exhale as you bring your arm down and back around
  • Inhale Star Pose
  • Exhale Goddess (or Horse)
  • Movement = Shoulder stretches, Inhale center, Exhale lean into the shoulder stretch
  • Inhale Star Pose
  • Exhale Warrior 2

 


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