If you have been into yoga for a while, you know by now that this is a mind-body discipline; something that benefits you from the inside out. It isn’t just the physical benefits that you enjoy with the practice of yoga; there are also mental and spiritual takeaways from this practice. There are several yoga postures and exercises that help you find your balance; physically as well as mentally. They help centre you in more ways than one.
The importance of good balance
Simply put, better physical balance means better communication between your brain and your muscles, and better physical coordination. This results in a more stable posture and more graceful gait. You are more aware of the physicality and the extent of your body and its limbs so you are that much less likely to bang into things and suffer falls.
The importance of better body balance cannot be stressed enough among seniors. One of the major reasons of disability and immobility during the later years of life is the increased chance of slipping and falling. Doing the right exercises for improving balance also strengthens certain muscles to further lower chances of falling. Balancing exercises are also vital for stroke patients and can help in recovery and rehabilitation. Walking ability and upper arm strength can be restored with the help of this.
These benefits go beyond the merely physical. These exercises help you focus better; they help you concentrate and could also help to lower stress by calming the nervous system. There is evidence to show that motivation may improve and anxiety may reduce as a result of performing these exercises, particularly when they are done in a relaxing and rejuvenating natural setting.
The best yoga poses to improve balance
We know that there are specific yoga poses that help in muscle strengthening, posture improvement, weight loss and even restoring hormonal balance. Similarly there are postures that help improve balance.
Vrksasana (Tree Pose) presents the challenge of standing on one foot. With one foot flat on the ground, the other foot is brought up to the side of the opposite knee with the toes pointing downward. The hands are then extended above the head with the palms facing each other.
Utkatasana (Chair Pose) is, as the name suggests, a pose that requires the performer to ‘sit’, but without a chair. The feet are to be set hip width apart, the arms extended forward and you then pretend to ‘sit’ as far as possible without the support of an actual chair.
Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance pose) is an asana that is inspired by the Lord of Dance, Lord Shiva. It requires you to set the left foot on the floor with the right leg extended back with the foot raised up. You now grab hold of your right foot with your right hand and extend your left arm up and in the opposite direction from the right.
Other poses such as the Tadasana or mountain pose, the high lunge pose, the warrior 3 pose and the half moon pose can also help improve internal and external balance. However, it is important to do the poses that match your age, weight and skill level.
To learn more about balancing postures and to practice them regularly, join Yoga Central’s morning batch conducted in calm environs surrounded by treetops. The morning yoga classes in Bandra are conducted at the Temperance Studio on Tues-Thurs-Sat, 7 am to 8 am. Call 99675 31905 to reserve a free trial session.