September 18, 2023
Finding Balanced Action
Balance is an ever-changing and evolving goal that requires active participation.
While balance of body, mind, and spirit is a common goal of a yoga practice, it's important to recognize that it results from a relationship between effort and surrender.
We can practice being in a relationship with the qualities of both effort and surrender at the same time.
Here’s an example: The balance between activating a kind of muscular energy and the art of softening as a way to flow in and through different shapes and poses and life experiences.
It is such a gift when we can understand our own habits and patterns in our bodies, minds, and hearts and be able to recalibrate for overall ease. If we place ourselves in this ongoing current where we’re moving towards balanced action, it becomes a constant practice of pose and repose on and off the mat (which we know is a place of experimenting with what's too much and what's too little).
Knowing where we are on the spectrum between effort and surrender is important.
How do you know when you’ve hit that sweet spot? How do you know when you are out of connection?
Here are some signs to watch for while you practice...
Are you holding your breath?
Are you clenching your jaw or your hands?
Are you finding yourself lightheaded or nauseous?
Try surrendering to your practice a little more.
Is your mind wandering and thinking about your To-do list?
Are you comparing yourself to others in the room?
Perhaps you could give a little more effort and attention to your practice.
These are just a few things to notice as you seek this balanced action between effort and surrender.
How else might you know you are giving too much or too little effort in your practice?
Love,
Rachel