What is balance? Balance is the art of taking control of your actions and movements. We all struggle to achieve balance in different aspects of our lives, irrespective of our age. However, have you ever pondered about attaining balance in your body? Yes, you read that right! Surprisingly, we exert more pressure on one side of our body as compared to the other, and it causes an imbalance in our body. It so happens that when you favour one side of the body, it affects the blood flow, and our muscles try to re-adjust according to the changes in our body’s behaviour. As a result, it causes pain and aches in different parts of our body. Do you also face the same problem? Are you also tired of trying out everything under the sun to balance your body? Then perhaps a balance yoga pose would be beneficial for you.
Yoga plays a pivotal role in balancing your body, and practising it regularly can give you uncountable benefits. Of course, it is not necessary to dedicate your entire day to yoga, but performing the correct yoga postures for just 15 minutes can do wonders for your body. From boosting your energy levels to calming your mind and increasing body’s flexibility, yoga does it all. So, if you’re struggling to build body balance, grab your mat and start performing yoga and relieve your body’s stress. Here are some yoga poses for beginners to balance their bodies:
Pranayama
Known as the main component of yoga, Pranayama is the art of controlling the frequency and timing of your breath. While performing this yoga, you inhale, exhale and hold your breath in a specific manner. With a combination of asanas and meditation, Pranayama promotes physical as well as mental wellness. Among the most popular benefits of Pranayama, a balanced body tops the list. Besides that, it reduces stress, improves sleep quality, maintains blood pressure, and strengthens the connection between mind and body.
Mountain pose or Tadasana
Tadasana is one of wonderful yoga poses for balance. Though the asana looks simple, it requires you to balance every body part. When practising mountain poses, you have to focus on the alignment of the feet and engage the abdominal muscles while using every muscle in the body to get the best benefits. Apart from strengthening your knees, thighs and ankles, the mountain pose improves your body posture and awareness.
Tree pose or Vrakshasana
Vrakshasana is a one-legged standing balance yoga pose that reflects the mirror image of your inner state. While performing this asana, if your mind is all over the place, it leads to a lack of focus, and you can’t stand still. To perform this asana, you have to stand straight, shift your body weight onto one leg, and place the other foot on the upper thigh of the standing leg. Then stretch your spine and centre your Drishti at a fixed point on the floor. Tree pose strengthens your entire leg and spine; thus, it aids in improving your posture and balance.
Vajrasana
Vajrasana is the best yoga to perform after having a meal. It helps boost digestion, making it one of the best yoga poses for weight loss. To perform Vajrasana, fold both your legs backwards and sit with your spine straight. Moreover, place your hands on your thighs and release your abdominal muscles. This pose strengthens thigh muscles, reduces gas formation and helps to keep your mind and body balanced.
Child pose or Balasana
Balasana is one of the simplest yoga for lower back pain as it helps in relieving stress from the spine and lower back. In this yoga pose, you stretch the spine as you bend down your chest and abdomen. The child pose increases blood circulation and allows oxygen to reach all parts of the body. It also stimulates the chakra because it stretches the spine, leading to a relaxed body and mind.
Bhakti yoga
As the name suggests, Bhakti yoga is the yoga of love and devotion. Interestingly, you don’t necessarily need a mat to perform this yoga pose. All you have to do is sit straight and concentrate on the divine power and try to connect with it. Bhakti yoga can include chants, mantras, bhajan, mudras, poetry, prayer or kirtan. Its benefits include stress reduction, pain relief, improved concentration and mood, and a balanced body.
Bridge pose or Setubandhasana
If you’re looking to amp up your morning routine, start your day with this simple morning yoga. While practising it, lay down straight on your back and bend your knees. Next, place your feet on the ground and your palms next to your hips. Once you’re set, raise your hips upwards and bring them down. Bridge pose relaxes the muscles in your lower back and strengthens your spine, which builds balance in your body.
Standing forward bend or Uttanasana
Considered one of the best deep stretch yoga poses, Uttanasana helps to stretch the entire back body. To perform this asana, stand straight and bend down your torso completely. Then place your palms near your feet such that they touch the ground without bending the knees. Try to balance your pose and inhale and exhale to lengthen your spine. Standing forward bend yoga pose helps to calm the mind and relieves stress. It also stimulates the liver and kidneys while strengthening the lower back, calves, and hips.
Bottom line
There is no denying the fact that we cannot be perfectly balanced all the time. However, if we try to balance our bodies with the yoga poses mentioned above, we can become healthier. So, if you observe your actions, you will find that you favor one side of the body over the other. But you can build balance in your body, mind and spirit with the help of yoga. With that said, you should always learn and practice yoga postures under the guidance of a yoga instructor. For more queries, feel free to reach out to us at editor@yuvaap.com!
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322011279
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.01033.x
Mr. Vijay Kumar Pandey is an eminent Yoga teacher with 15 years of experience. He excelled himself in Iyengar Yoga under the guidance of revered master BKS Iyengar Read More
