Balanced Body – balanced Mind

Balance is an important aspect of many dimensions of our lives; physically, mentally, hormonally, spiritually and more. Our goal is to achieve and maintain balance through challenges and difficulties in our lives, but also between the smaller ingredients that shape our everyday life. If we can live a balanced way of life, we will be better prepared to deal with challenges once they arise. Practicing physical balance, through for example Pilates and yoga, helps us further balance in all parts of our life.

Moving from a solid foundation… Balance is about focus, attention and opposition.

When physically balancing, we actually narrow the base of support which means the brain has to process more information and therefore works harder. In addition to focus and attention, physical balance also promotes concentration and calm.

Physically, a solid base will help us balance. Strong feet and legs constitute the foundation upon which the rest of poses can be built and developed. -Just like a house needs a solid foundation in order to stand tall and not crumble, so do we.

In a similar fashion, once the fundamental parts in life; family, work, housing, schooling etc are in good place, the rest of life can take sudden, unexpected turns without throwing you too far off balance. Every expat family knows the unbalanced feeling a new place brings, before the above-mentioned corner stones of life are in place. …and strong core (values).

Just like a house is not stable without its load-bearing walls that support the rest of the structure shaped around them, we also need a strong physical core to help us balance. Also, finding balance in real life is much easier if you know your mental core – your core values. They will help you maintain your focus and priorities between things that draw your attention in different directions.

What Do we Need in Order to Achieve Physical Balance?

• Alignment – without correct physical posture, we will never be able to balance correctly
• Strength – the core plays an important roll here. Also, when balancing on one foot, one leg is doing the work of two, this is why strength is important.
• Gluteus muscles – are also very important to support the pelvis in one legged poses.
• Attention – your mind and your nervous system has to stay alert all the time, constantly checking your balance and correcting any misalignment.
• Focus – the visual attention, the focus, plays and important part in your balancing act.  – Just try closing your eyes when your eyes are closed!