The Secret to Balancing on One Leg

The Secret to Balancing on One Leg

Do you ever have trouble balancing in Tree, Half Moon, Dancer or Eagle poses?

These seemingly simple poses can be challenging.

Balancing on one foot requires balanced action between the inside and the outside of the leg.  For most of us, one part is stronger than the other, and this creates struggle, imbalance and challenge.

I’ll be the first to admit it. Balancing on my left leg is still a challenge after more than 20 years of yoga!  Yes, I had a soft tissue surgery on that side, and that hasn’t made things any easier.  But the problem existed long before the surgery. My left side is my non-dominant side.

Tip #1:

Don’t hold your breath!  The first thing we tend to do is hold the breath when we are concentrating.  But eventually you’ll have to take a big inhale and this will disrupt your balance.

Tip #2:

A quick look at your feet and shoes will give you a clue if you are a supinator or pronator.  Pronators will tend to roll and drop the inner arch of the foot towards the midline floor.  Supinators will do the opposite, turning toes out, rolling to outer edge of foot.  Which are you?

Work to establish equal weight in the four corners of your feet:  big toe mound, little toe mound (at base of toes), inner heel and outer heel.  Sometimes it helps to lift the toes to connect all four points or bend the knee.  Through this, you’ll begin to strengthen the weak side of the leg.

Enjoying learning these tips?

If so, it may be time to consider enrolling in my Yoga Teacher Training Program.  In it, you’ll learn mat skill secrets to advance your practice and much more.  The next one starts July 11 and there are still some seats open.

Then let me know here how your practice is going!

Love and brilliance,

Laurel

 

 

 

 

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” –Albert Einstein