What Balancing Poses Teach Us About Life

What are you focused on?

So many elements of a yoga practice act as metaphors for life. 

While we are physically going through the motions, we are retraining our brains to think differently. 

One of the most beautiful ideas you can learn in yoga is balance. 

Having great balance does not come from being the best at yoga or having the perfect body. It does not come from wanting it to hold the pose more than your neighbor or by trying to win. 

We balance best when we are focusing our gaze on something that is unshakeable.

“The practice of drishti is a gazing technique that develops concentration—and teaches you to see the world as it really is.” - Yoga Journal

We are able to stay in a balancing pose longer when we are focusing on something that is not moving. We fall faster when something catches our eye and distracts us from our drishti. You probably have heard your teacher advice to focus on one spot on the floor or object in order to stay in a pose longer.

While this is a great method for building strength and improving your balance, you will find that when chasing after dreams, pursuing goals and building strong relationships, the same is true. When we focus on what is unstable, what is moving, we will fall. 

If you are constantly comparing yourself to your neighbor, you will never become truly rooted in who you are meant to be. Balance in your spirit requires letting go of expectations and focusing your drishti on concrete beliefs. If your drishti is focused on things such as comparison, envy, discouragement, self doubt and greed, you will lose your internal stillness, your balance. These things are ever changing, always trying to distract your focus. 

When you find yourself in a season where you are taking a leap and it requires some balance, focus on the things in life that are sweet. Gratitude, joy, kindness, contentment and love bring a peace and stillness to our spirits. You will make decisions out of a place of strength and you will not be shaken. 

Where can you find more balance this week? What will you focus on? 

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