Whether in the metaphorical or physical sense, achieving balance in life is something we all strive for...
In yoga class, we may define good balance as the ability to perform tricky poses (headstands, handstands, forearm stands, etc.), but the real purpose of learning to balance goes far beyond the physical postures we practice on our mats.
In fact, those physical postures are really just a gateway to help us connect to ourselves and our lives on a deeper, more spiritual level. Yoga isn't about mastering each and every pose, but rather about recognizing that every difficult pose you encounter in class is much like every difficult situation you face outside of the studio. The pose itself may be painful, uncomfortable, tricky or unstable, but your body is somehow capable of getting through it — and therefore, so are you.
Yoga teaches us what it means to balance, not by holding a handstand (although doing so is certainly an added perk), but through teaching us to push beyond our comfort zones while also listening to our body and respecting its limits. Balance is not achieved overnight, but rather over the course of time. As we mature in life, and in our yoga practice, we learn what feels good to our bodies and what doesn't: when to back out of a pose, and when to keep pushing; when to be a "strong warrior," and when to be a "happy baby." And that, my friends, is the true meaning of balance.
Keeping in mind that mastering a pose is not nearly as important as what you learn while attempting to do so. Here are five yoga poses to practice to help improve your balance — both on and off your mat.
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