In Yoga there is a lot of emphasis placed on the idea of creating balance, from postures that are literally balancing poses (on your hands or on one foot) to any pose that will challenge your equilibrium so you have to compose yourself and adjust to a new situation so you don’t fall over. In many ways, this physical process that occurs on the mat is a metaphor for the constant recalibrating we need to do in life in order not to become overwhelmed by new inputs and changing times. What we learn to do on the mat, we hopefully than translate into our daily lives.
Along the same vein, there is also a lot of conversation in Yoga about the idea of balancing opposites. Hatha Yoga translates as “Sun-Moon” and is about the balance between solar and lunar energies. Similarly, a skillfully sequenced class will include both energetically heating and energetically cooling poses so that you walk out of the room on an even keel, rather than at one extreme end of the spectrum.
This idea of balancing opposites is also a great model for life out in the world. It’s easy to act in habitual ways and to become monolithic in our impulses and activities, but Yoga teaches us to be mindful, and to notice and adapt to shifting circumstances. The opportunity to do so is especially evident when the seasons change, both on the mat and off.
In the summer we need to make sure to balance a rigorous practice with quieting and cooling poses so we don’t become overheated, both physically and
emotionally. As we head into Fall and Winter, however, and slowing down becomes a likely trend, the more heating postures like backbends and twists can serve us well, especially as we start to consume more and to eat heavier foods.
So as the days get shorter and colder and the desire to curl up on the couch with a bowl of soup seems more and more compelling, of course, DO SO. But also make sure that you spend 20 minutes doing some sun salutes. And if you have the time and the inclination, get to a class or put in a DVD and also do some of the more energizing poses. These stimulating postures (backbends, twists, standing poses and many inversions) will keep you lively as the urge to hibernate gets stronger, so that you balance the nesting that accompanies the cold weather with poses that create heat and vitality.
One more thought, from a reliable Ayurvedic source: (Ayurveda is the sister science of Yoga and is all about cultivating a balanced lifestyle) When circumstances permit, lie down on your left side for 10 minutes after eating (don’t fall asleep, just lie). It helps digestion by moving food towards and through your descending colon, and as our meals get heavier it’s a nice trick to alleviate that torpid feeling after a big meal.
Natasha Rizopoulos is a part of our Dream Team. She is an Internationally recognized Yoga Expert, and most importantly she is super-smart, funny, kind and a dear friend of mine. I highly recommend her Step-by-step DVD series – especially if you want to create a home yoga practice.
Also check out these amazing extra-sticky yoga mats – nothing more annoying than getting a mat without enough stick!
Kids also frequently change their tastes. It offers new schemes and designs
keeping time and cost efficiency at heart.