Find Your Balance
As the seasons change, obligations shift as well. You may be helping children adjust to new school schedules, noticing an uptick in work demands as summer fades, or adjusting your exercise routine. The juggling act can start to feel cumbersome, and it’s easy to lose focus during times of transition. When everything around you is in motion, finding stillness and balance is essential.
In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle writes that “primary reality is within, secondary reality is without.” In other words, perceptions shape how we experience the present moment. A shift in our mindset can be reflected by the way our body holds—or releases—tension.
During stress, notice the quality of your thoughts. Are they scattered and self-critical, or peaceful and reflective? Noticing when we are ruminating is the key to unlocking change. By acknowledging thoughts without judgment, we move closer to clarity.
How to Ground Yourself
In such moments, mindful movement can be a powerful tool to return to yourself. One simple, grounding practice may be enough to help anchor your mind and make space for focus and meaningful productivity during transitions.
A recent study suggests that yoga and mindfulness can improve concentration and performance. Tree pose (Vriksana) is a great yoga posture for physical and mental strength and balance. It cultivates focus, coordination, and patience.
Try Tree Pose
Stand tall with your arms by your sides and feet comfortably apart.
Take a moment to feel your feet firmly grounded.
Choose a focal point in front of you and fix your gaze there for the duration of the posture.
Shift your weight to the right leg.
Bring the bottom of your left foot to either the ankle, inner calf, or inner right thigh with toes facing down and engage the right thigh muscle for stability.
Rotate the left hip so that the left knee goes out to the side of the body. Gently adjust so both hip points are level with each other.
Roll the shoulders up, back, and down.
Bring the palms of your hands either out by your sides facing forward, palm to palm in front of your heart, or up over your head like tree branches. It can help to have the back of a chair in front of you to lightly set your fingertips on for support if needed.
Lift up through the crown of your head. Imagine a string gently pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling, which helps elongate the spine.
Take a few steady breaths in and out through the nose.
Release the pose back to a standing position. Notice if there's a difference in sensations on the right and left side of the body.
Repeat on the opposite side.
It’s ok if your body doesn’t remain perfectly still in the posture. While a tree’s branches flow freely in the wind, it stays firmly planted with solid roots and a strong trunk.
Note: Avoid this practice if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, a heart condition, or recent or chronic injury or pain in your knees, hips, abdomen, or shoulders.
This article originally appeared on TasteForLife.com.