Finding Balance: Learning to Embrace the Wobble in Yoga and Life

When you think of balance, what comes to mind? You might picture a tree standing tall, its branches swaying in the breeze. But here’s a little secret - all trees wobble in the wind. Even the strongest, most deeply rooted trees move and sway. Just like them, our lives and bodies are constantly adjusting and finding balance, moment by moment.

What is Balance?

Balance is not about being perfectly still or unshakeable. It’s about being able to course-correct when life throws us off. It’s the ability to wobble, adjust, and find our centre again. Balance is also about allowing yourself the freedom to enjoy the ride, to be present even when things aren’t perfect.

In life, as in yoga, we all wobble from time to time. Whether it’s feeling emotionally unsteady or literally losing your balance in a yoga pose, these moments are part of the process. But what happens when we do wobble? And more importantly, how do we respond?

All Trees Wobble in the Wind

No matter how experienced you are, life is full of gusts of wind - stress, distractions or unexpected challenges. Even with the strongest foundations, we all sway. The key is having strong, steady roots to keep us grounded when things get shaky.

Yoga teaches us how to cultivate this grounding through postures and breath. When we find balance in a pose, we aren’t holding rigidly. As the ancient Yoga Sutra tells us, the aim is to find “ease and comfort” within the posture.

It’s not about doing it perfectly or holding stiff and still. It’s about breathing deeply, staying mindful, and embracing the inevitable wobbles along the way. When we approach balance in this way, the mind quiets down, and we learn to let go of the need to get it “right.”

What Happens When You Wobble?

We take ourselves so seriously sometimes, don’t we? But wobbling is natural. In yoga, when we practice balance poses, we cultivate physical strength and mental focus. These poses teach us not only to balance on one leg but also to balance the mind - to find calm in the midst of struggle.

Take Tree Pose, for example. Your experience of the pose can change from day to day. Some days you’re steady, and other days you sway or even fall out of it. It could be affected by how well you slept, a text message you recieved before practice, or even a noise outside your window. Anything can cause you to wobble.

But the magic lies in how you respond. When you come back to your centre, release the seriousness, and breathe into the moment, you find ease amidst the challenge. Each wobble becomes a chance to learn, to refine your balance and to grow. And the next time life throws you off balance, both on and off the mat, you’ll be better equipped to handle it.

Three Tips for Better Balance

1. Steady Breath: Your breath is your anchor. When your breath is calm and steady, it brings focus to both body and mind. Anytime you feel off balance, come back to the breath.

2. Steady Gaze: In yoga, we use a technique called drishti - a focused gaze. By fixing your gaze on one point, your mind settles and your balance improves.

3. Steady Mind: The mind is often the trickiest part of balancing. If your thoughts are scattered, it’s harder to stay centred. Cultivate mindfulness by observing your thoughts without attaching to them. Let them come and go, just like the wind.

If any one of these three - breath, gaze, or mind - goes off track, it’s easy to fall. But remember, falling is part of the practice. You simply get back up and try again.

The Practice of Balance

In both yoga and life, balance is a practice, not a destination. It’s not about never falling but about how you respond when you do. Every time you wobble, you’re given a chance to come back to your centre and reconnect with a sense of ease and comfort.

So next time you step onto your mat, or find yourself wobbling in the face of life’s challenges, remember: it’s okay to sway. Breathe deeply, soften your approach, and let go of the need to be perfect. In the process, you’ll not only find balance but also a deeper sense of peace and joy.