Building Better Balance

I believe balance is an important part of our everyday lives. Heck, I even put the word in the name of my business!  We hear the benefits of balance lauded in many different facets of our lives.  Moderation in most things and a healthy variety of interests can be a good foundation for contentment.  Of course, living a life filled with the daily challenges we all face does not make finding that balance a simple task.  Here are a couple quick tips to help you get started in that direction.

First of all, we have to take a look “inside” ourselves and inspect how the “outside” experiences are affecting us.  What are some of the things or behaviors that you started this summer, that you would like to continue to nurture throughout the fall and winter.  Did you pick up a new hobby?  Start an exercise program? Join a yoga class? (What a great idea!)  🙂   Then inspect those things that seem out of balance for you right now.  Are your “work” and “play” out of whack?  Are you taking enough time for yourself to re-charge?  Focus on those areas in which you would like to adjust.  Remember, we’re not looking for solutions at this time, we’re just observing the external forces and making ourselves aware of them.

Second, get on the mat.  Yes, I’m a little biased with this one, but if I didn’t think it worked, I wouldn’t teach yoga classes.  There are a number of poses we can work on that will ground you, strengthen you, calm you and warm you.  (We may need that last one sooner than later!).  Yoga provides a respite from those external forces and can give you the time needed to focus on them, explore what to “do” with them and work through your strategy for them.  Give yoga a chance, if you haven’t already.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Lastly, get OFF the mat! Yes, that’s right.  Get outside.  This is one of my favorite times of the year and a perfect time to get outside in the crisp air and enjoy nature.  Let the sun warm you up and let nature calm you down.  If you can get into the woods, get far enough away that you don’t hear dogs barking or cars passing.  The goal is to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature and let it recharge your batteries.