As we enjoy the warm weather and slower pace of the summer months, we may also be dreading the hectic return of the Fall season. Children go back to school, vacation homes are closed, and life may resume its normal pace for many of us. It is dif­ficult to remain present when the holidays are looming and the rhythms of our lives are changing. We tend to look forward and forget to find the joy of the final days of sum­mer. Some things “can’t wait”, but most things can. Starting a new year off on the right foot depends on our ability to accom­plish this balancing act.

How do we keep our balance?

In yoga, balance is understood as one part gaze, one part breath, and one part alignment (form). Integrating these three aspects allows us to attain “eka grata”, a single pointed focus. This focus is what gives us the ability to discern what is important, and manage our lives in a healthy and sat­isfying way. Getting things done when there are so many things to do, is about honing these skills of discernment and persevering through practice.

Your gaze will cultivate a strong center. You need to know what you want to accomplish. Your center may require education, prepara­tion or support and people that you surround yourself with. It is also one’s ability to discern what is most important; the things that ground you. Priorities may be family, work, health…whatever your grounding, be certain in it and make a commitment to it. Uncertainty will weaken your center, and “throw you off balance”. Your gaze works in tandem with your alignment. It keeps you moving in the right direc­tion.

Another necessity is accep­tance. We have to acknowledge that we cannot do everything (immediately) and that many things are out of our con­trol. In fact, the only thing that we can control is our REACTION to events as they arise. Our actions and reac­tions will determine what we accomplish, and how accom­plished (satisfied) we feel. The key is to develop a clear focus, a set of reasonable expecta­tions and the discipline to work toward our goals, with patience.

Balancing on one foot or on your hands or on your head is no different. These postures require that we understand the dynamics of the shape we will achieve, a steady gaze that sees both our internal state and the activities around us, an inner (core) strength and an even “non-reactive” breath. More than that, our breath must support us. It must balance us and help us to control our reactions. …You are falling to the left…keep breathing, steady yourself. You are losing your footing, remember what supports you and “go back to it”. You are tired and just can’t do it anymore, let go, fall. Falling is one variation of every balance. You must learn how to fall and accept it, even enjoy it. Like a child, once you learn how to fall, failing will not hurt you. It becomes a learning experience, rather than an experience of frustra­tion. Get up, and slowly try again. Reestablish your center, get your gaze and alignment, muster your inner strength, recalculate your expectations, but above all, breath. Balance. Breath. Fall. Breath. Get up, and try again.