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You may wonder why balance is considered an aspect of fitness. The task of maintaining equilibrium of the body, whether stationary or moving, is not easy.
Balance, along with agility and coordination, falls in the category of motor fitness, which involves skills of voluntary movement.
So a good sense of balance makes it simpler to accomplish day-to-day tasks.
It also adds grace and poise to the personality. But more importantly, the asanas we are going to look at today helps one develop a balanced mind and a mature outlook.
Practising these enhances concentration and develops balance at physical, emotional and psychic levels.
They also help the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety to a large extent.
Garudasana
- Stand straight.
- Bend right leg and twist it around left leg, with right thigh in front of left thigh. Top of right foot should rest on calf of left leg.
- Bend elbows and bring in front of chest.
- Twist forearms around each other, with right elbow in front. Place palms together.
- Slowly bend left knee; final pose resembles an eagle.
- Repeat using other leg.
Natarajasana
- Stand with feet together.
- Bend right knee and grasp ankle with right hand behind body.
- Slowly raise and stretch right leg backwards as high as possible.
- Reach upward and forward with other hand.
- Hold as long as possible.
- Slowly lower left arm. Lower right leg and release right ankle.
- Repeat with other leg.
Ardha bada padmottanasana
- Stand straight with feet together.
- Bend right knee and place foot as high up as possible on left thigh.
- Raise arms upwards with elbows straight.
- Slowly bend forward still keeping arms straight.
- Place palms on floor and bring forehead to left knee.
- Hold position for as long as comfortable.
- Raise torso and hands upwards, with hands stretched straight above head. Release right leg and relax.
- Repeat with other leg.
Ek padasana
- Stand with feet together, inhale and raise arms above head, palms together.
- Exhale and bend forward. Lift one leg up simultaneously. Keep head, arms, trunk and leg in one straight, horizontal line. Focus on hands or some point in front of body.
- Hold for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally.
- Repeat with other leg.
Santolanasana (variation)
- Lie down on stomach with hands by chest.
- Push yourself off ground, using arm strength. Keep elbows straight. You are now on palms and toes, with body off ground.
- Turn entire body to one side, feet in same direction and one palm on floor.
- Extend upper arm above head so both arms are in straight line.
- Hold for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally.
- Straighten body, place knees on floor, relax hands and sit back on heels.
- Repeat on other side.
You may initially find these postures difficult but with regular practice, you will be able to master them. Gazing at a point while balancing steadies the mind and helps hold postures for a longer time. Here’s to a balanced body and mind.
— Bharat Thakur is the founder of Bharat Thakur’s Artistic Yoga. For questions on yoga, write to dubai.artisticyoga
@gmail.com. For more information, log on to www.bharatthakur.com
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