You’re a Flamingo, Baby. Stand on One Leg

Balance postures are something I’ve struggled most with in yoga (partly because the postures that are even harder I avoid) but they’re also some of the simplest and most beneficial things we can squeeze into the day.

Balance is particularly an issue as people get older (I’ve felt the difference) so, logically, preserving good balance should help us feel younger, right?

Lately I’ve been working balance into my day as one of my “things.”  I stand on one foot (sometimes in “tree” sometimes just hanging out waiting for the microwave or folding laundry) for 10-30 seconds. Switch to the other foot, and repeat 5 times.

You know what’s scary? Even after a couple weeks I’ve felt a big increase in steadiness.

A few balancing tips that work for me:

Balance in the kitchen. Sounds dangerous, right? But having the visual orientation of all those straight lines, countertops, cupboards, etc. makes balancing much easier.
Or…balance by something else with a strong vertical line. I like to look out the window at the support beams for my patio.
Squeeze the muscles in to your legs to support bones and joints and increase stability.
Don’t fall down! Put your foot down if you feel too unsteady. Enter and exit any posture with as much grace as possible, since transitions are where it’s easiest to tweak a muscle or joint.
Hold on if necessary. I prefer keeping my foot low, because I think adding a point of contact (handhold) significantly changes the balance. When I do hold on in a posture, I try to place a finger or hand against a wall, rather than holding a counter or chair.
Count breaths, not seconds.Concentrating on breathing slowly and evenly instead of making it to the finish time. This gives your mind something constructive to do. And at 8-10 seconds per breath (my personal ideal) you count off a minute in no time.
Smile!