How to walk with a full cup of coffee?

In Yoga, we aim for mobility, flexibility, strength and peace of mind. How? Through challenging postures - stretching and balancing.
Balancing in the standing asanas are always interesting as many things impact your ability to do the posture; depending on your energy level, your sleep for that day, and most importantly your dristi - or gaze. Ever try walking with a full cup of coffee in your hand? Your instincts tell you to watch or keep you eye on the cup in order not to spill...when I was 16 working my first job, a waitress that had been in the biz a long time, told me that I am doing this all wrong as my hand and shoes are wet with coffee. She says gaze directly ahead, dont even keep the coffee in your focus...you see where you are going and you automatically have a steady hand. Boom, no spill.



Same with yoga and balancing. Once you focus your gaze, ideally your mind, you will find peace in the posture. Which directly translates to your everyday life. Whow whow you think, how can you just jump from a posture to life. Some things you cant explain. You can read and read about swimming but until you are in the water, floating, the concept of the weightlessness is not fully understood until experienced. Same-same with these concepts in yoga.  But there is a indirect relationship between focusing (one-pointed mind) on something, like the gaze/breath in order to assist you in succeeding to remain steady (if even for a second). There is never perfection, meaning once you achieve it that means in the future you will do it again. Nope. As I said, it depends on many factors - what did you eat today, too much sun, too little sleep, mind busy?

Key parts of the body are directly tied to balance, most of which can be improved through yoga (muscles, joints, grounding/touch, gaze/focus). There are 2 things left to anatomy of the head - brain (vestibulcerebellum) and ear (perilymph fluid).



We hear alot about balance in life - in food, in activities, in really everything...moderation. Moderation is balance. It is an important lesson in life, that no one will master but it is a daily effort we must all try not to forget.

Moral of the story today is balance in your standing postures, will help with overall steadiness and balance in your life.