Standing balance postures are some of the most demanding asanas for many people. For example, some balance comes naturally through practice, while others have to focus more on this area to be able to practice with ease. It can be due to neglecting balance exercise for a long time, or more serious inner ear issues.
There are a few organs for balance located in the ear, and these are vestibule and semicircular canals. Inner ear issues can come with a cold or have more serious cause such as migraines or a buildup of fluid or calcium in the ear. These issues should be diagnosed and treated professionally, but yoga balance postures can also aid a lot in the treatment.
Regardless of the reasons for your balance issues, yoga has the solution. It is important to practice these postures barefoot to have a better feeling of the ground. While practicing, have your gaze set on a still point in front of you. At the beginning feel free to practice next to a wall since this way you can aid yourself if you start falling.
- The first base posture for balance is the Mountain Pose or Tadasana. It is a good start to find where your imbalances are. In this pose, you are standing straight with your feet together and your arms by your side. Roll your shoulders back to assure you are standing straight. Your weight should be distributed equally in your whole feet. Test out this posture for a few times to see if you are naturally leaning to one side and correct yourself each time. With time you will start standing more correctly right away without the need to adjust the pose.
- Next asana for balance which is a part of almost every yoga class is the Tree Pose. One leg stays on the ground while the other is placed on the inner thigh of the standing leg. Make sure your hips are square, and your spine is extended. To make this posture a bit harder, raise your arms above head in prayer position. Do this with both legs and try to stay in the posture for five deep breaths.
- Another pose very common in yoga is Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana. This posture is not easy but will do miracles with your balances once mastered. Start in Tadasana and raise your right leg straight in front of you. Grab the thumb of the raised leg with your right hand and rotate it right. Once you find your balance, lift the opposite hand at shoulder height and look at the left. Your body shouldn’t be leaning to the side, and your hips should be squared. If the posture is too hard, you can keep the raised leg bent to still have the benefits from it. Repeat on the left side and try to stay for five deep breaths on each side.
- The last posture good for both balance and back flexibility is the Dancer pose. Bend your leg behind you so that your heel is going towards your gluteus. Grab the inside of the foot with same-sided arm and extend, creating a U shape with your back and thigh. Extend your opposite arm in front of you, and the torso will naturally move forward. Repeat on the other side and try to hold the posture for five deep breaths.
In all of the postures activate your core and leg muscles to have the strengthening benefits too. A good thing to imagine and try to copy is a tree in the wind. Like a tree move slightly where your body is going instead of being too stiff which can result in loss of balance. Gradually you will move less and less until standing still will feel natural to you.
