Whenever I observe someone hunched over their computers, or walking with their chest caving in and shoulders drooping down, I feel the urge to rush and correct their posture. Over the years I have observed that if people such as these begin a regular yoga practice they automatically begin to rectify both their seated and standing postures.
Yoga works with two fundamental body concepts concerning skeletal alignment namely posture and balance.
People enroll for Yoga Courses Online in India to be able to achieve better physical mental and even spiritual health, but they walk away with a wonderful bonus, which is, an amazing, elegant and well balanced posture.
Physical Benefits of Balancing Postures:
Joint Stability and Flexibility: Balancing poses first and foremost require us to position our skeletal bones in precise alignment. In each yoga posture we are taught how to position every part of the body. This releases any incorrect pressure we may have been subjecting our joints to. With the pressure off our joints, the limbs move with a new sense of ease. The controlled movements involved in balancing postures promote joint stability while simultaneously improving flexibility. This dual benefit reduces the risk of injuries and enhances mobility, fostering a greater sense of physical freedom.
Muscular Strength and Endurance: Balancing postures will activate various muscle groups, including the core, legs, shoulders and arms as well as various stabilizing muscles. Regular practice enhances muscular strength and endurance, contributing to overall physical resilience and a body which moves towards a better and better state of balance.
Postural Alignment: Balancing poses encourage proper alignment of the spine, shoulders and hips, so the danger of putting excessive load on any one body part and wearing it out is eliminated. By developing awareness of correct body alignment, practitioners also develop a more graceful physical presence.
Psychological Benefits of Balancing Postures:
Focus and Concentration: Balancing postures demand a steady mind and a focussed unwavering gaze. This requires practitioners to be fully present in the moment. This heightened concentration fosters a sense of stillness of mind much like in a meditative state, creating a de-stressing effect and mental relaxation.
Emotional Stability: The equanimity that the physical body acquires as one gets more adept at balancing postures, transcends to other levels of our being as well. With greater mastery over the physical body one comes to a place of deeper emotional stability as well. One is able to handle the ups and downs of life with greater emotional poise, because bodily balance leads to emotional balance. With regular practice one develops more steadiness and composure on the mat. This has the spillover effect of more emotional composure that then extends into our everyday life.
Inner Harmony: Life is unpredictable and uncertain. This can keep us unhinged and unbalanced. But as we intentionally work at getting our body to a state of balance, we are able to keep the mind also balanced and poised and accept external uncertainties with greater calm. As yogis develop the ability to find balance within themselves, they cultivate a deeper sense of inner poise and peace.
How Does Yoga Facilitate Balancing Postures?
The practice of yoga ‘asanas’ help open and release tension from tight areas of the body; plus build core strength as well as strength in all major muscle groups. All of this lays the foundation for us to be able to attempt, execute and hold various balancing postures. Also conscious breathing techniques in yoga enhance inner focus and tranquillity. This aids individuals to maintain acute awareness of the present moment, which helps sustain balance in both body and mind.
Need of Balancing Postures
Balancing postures in yoga are a fundamental part of the full yogic ‘asana’ practice. They develop stability, coordination as well as proprioception- the body’s awareness of its position in space and the body’s innate ability to sense movement, action and location. Practicing yoga balancing postures helps to strengthen this natural ability of the body and overcome any lack of coordination.
Are you searching for Online Yoga Classes for Beginners, or are you ready to dive into the intermediate or even the advanced level? My sessions at Yoga with Sapna are ‘Open classes’ suitable for every level of practitioner. Join up quickly and begin to improve your health right away.