What I Have Learned On The Yoga Mat

Is it possible to balance it all? Some days, it seems that we are the main act of the Circus, like jugglers or the tightrope performers testing our strength, flexibility, and stamina to withstand unbelievable challenges.

So, how do we move away from the Circus Act to becoming more of a Balance Act? How do we keep all of our professional and personal responsibilities and duties balanced without running out of steam or getting burned out? 

You may be just like me, with a lifelong mission to master the balance act and find the right approach to our outlook, balancing it all. 

With all of the roles and responsibilities that we manage, much is expected within this hi-tech digital non-stop world where we can work all the time -- so we do! But we can’t and shouldn’t! Our minds and bodies were not meant to be on overload all the time. 

For you know, we are all multi-tasking, answering emails after hours, eating lunch in front of the computer, talking while driving, and on and on! We must be honest about this and make profound changes, or we will all burn out or become permanently on autopilot, walking around like lifeless zombies. Who wants that? Not me! 

What’s Yoga got to do with it? 

In my quest to achieve a good balance in my own life, I have turned to yoga. You might be surprised at the many similarities we can find within yoga practice to find balance within your own life: 

• Practice For Progress Yoga is truly a “practice,” just as every day we have the chance to “practice” and improve a bit each time. We also have to remember that each day’s “practice” can depend on how you are doing that day (sleep, workload, distractions), so give yourself a break! I have found that achieving a better balance takes time, lots of practice, and patience, too. A steadier stance and stable outlook can occur when we find YOUR core or place of center -- meaning what grounds you? I find that when life catches up with me and my day gets hectic, I will close my eyes and take a deep breath. Hold it in and then breathe out slowly. With that, I can refocus and regroup, grounded and ready to get back in the “practice”. So when life gets crazy, look within yourself for solace as well as answers that may have been overlooked when you can’t hear or see in a world of distractions. 

• Get Flexible With increased flexibility and building of strength we can adapt better to change; so keep this in mind in your professional and personal life that the more you “practice” and push your flexibility level -- you may be surprised at how adaptable you are and how that ability can assist you to alter course quicker in the future or convert challenges into opportunities. 

• Quiet Time It is so healthy, as well as necessary, to quiet the mind and set an intention (goals or priorities) for your day. When you invest time in reviewing priorities, setting goals, and finding the energy, you will achieve anything! You may even want to have a self-debriefing session at the end of every day to review progress and set steps (or goals) for the next day. 

• Tune In Be tuned into yourself and be aware of what you need and want. You may need to find time to relax and quiet your mind to reboot and start fresh. Stay tuned in to what you need throughout the day to be successful in your daily “practice”.

• Namaste At the end of most yoga practices, the instructor will share the word “Namaste”, which represents the belief that there is an immense spark or light within each of us. Doing this gesture is an acknowledgment of not your light but an appreciation of others' light as well. Take the time every day to be grateful for the light (strengths and goodness) that you see in yourself as well as in others. When we honor our strengths and skills, we will soar to unbelievable heights. Additionally, when we recognize and appreciate the value of those around us, they will also rise to a higher level of success. 

Alright, now your mission is to “practice” every day, finding your balance! And know that when life gets hectic, overwhelming, or out of whack (as it tends to do!) -- get back in the game fighting to find your balance.