#7 - Balancing the scales

and using the Yoga Sutras as a guide

I don’t know about you, but the idea of balance: of living in a balanced way; of being balanced, is something that I am constantly working on.

It’s a continuous process because the weights are always changing. Whether they be the weights of our demands and responsibilities; family life; careers; health issues - the list goes on, and, along with our own wants and needs, they’re in a constant state of flux.

Now, when I use the term ‘weights’ to describe such things - these aspects of our lives - I don’t necessarily mean that they are strictly negative, nor indeed positive.

It’s just they are there and they are something we must consider. Stuff we need to weigh-up.

Much like the weights on a set of scales, and they just are.

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

My ‘just-ares’ this last week include, but is not limited to, having a humongous stye in my right eye, and carrying on regardless. I always get them when I am run-down. They are my signal alert system. But, in this instance, being run-down wasn’t a choice. It just was.

Because I can’t suddenly stop being a mother to my children when they are ill and I need more ‘me-time’; I can’t just decide to stop all things and put my feet up when my youngest is excitedly looking forward to her birthday party, and deserves the celebration, not least because she has suffered with bug after bug after bug since the start of this half-term.

I’m a fan of slowing down, and I do so whenever I can. Especially during times of heightened activity - which March usually is, and I know that doing so is fundamental.

So I am always looking out for the tiny pockets of time - time that I get to breathe, meditate, journal and move my body. Because that is what keeps me well and this is what enables me to keep going; to swim upstream. Knowing that, eventually, I will be able to stop and rest, no matter how fleeting.

Generally, though, in periods of calm and when daily routines are flowing nicely, I still like to pace myself steadily, whenever I can. Knowing that it will serve me well when times are more hectic. To do this, I have to resist the urge to do more, and I have to be purposeful with my intention to rest and to not feel guilty.

So, where does yoga come into this, I hear you ask.

Well, for me, yoga comes in as an underlining philosophy. It is always there. Whether I am practising asana (postures) or not. Although, now, asana, has become something I just do throughout the day. Whenever I need it.

So while I like to set aside specific times for dedicated practice, such as for my morning sit, or to attend a yoga class, it isn’t always necessary because I am continuously engaged with the practice.

This is not to say, however, that I am floating around serenely and don’t need to practice. Untouched by the stresses and strains. No. I’d say it’s quite the opposite. Because everything is my practice. Whether I am on my mat or off it, I am practicing. This is known as Sadhana, and it isn’t all plain sailing. For me, being engaged with my practice in this way can, at times, be quite uncomfortable. But yoga helps me to breathe through it. To stay with it. To trust in it.

However, while I want to keep the momentum going, I want to without spinning out of control. So I’m always seeking that sweet spot of working with a gentle, present flow, and sustaining the effort it takes to get through times of challenge; the times when we have little choice but to get on with it.

Photo by Christophe Hautier on Unsplash

Looking to the Yoga Sutras for guidance

The sutra that refers to balance is sutra 2.46:

sthira-sukham asanam

Today, this sentence is more commonly known as the balance between “effort” and “ease.”

On our mat, Sthira is the part of our practice that requires us to be fully present, even when we’re uncomfortable. Finding stability in our body and in our mind is how we find balance. It is powerful. It is where we find our resilience.

Sukham is the part of our practice where, as we become more familiar with it, we begin to relax in the pose, without feeling we need to do more or try harder. We surrender. We allow. We accept.

So, an example of sthira and sukham in yoga asana is being able to approach a pose with intention, finding the place where it is neither too difficult nor too easy. And, once there, finding our breath and being in the moment. Accepting what our body can do.

Off the mat, as we become more aware of how we show up on our mats, we may begin to understand ourselves and our patterns in life more generally: Do we push too hard or give up too easily? Do we talk ourselves out of things, giving in to fear, or do we charge ahead without a second thought, perhaps injuring ourselves (and others) as we do?

It can help to reflect on which side of the scale you mostly lean toward. I really feel I’m perched between the two. But perhaps you feel more aligned with one particular side:

Sthira: all go-go-go, perfectionistic tendencies, usually feeling busy, active, and stressed. You find it difficult to rest. Slowing down is obviously the antidote to this. You could perhaps try more soothing restorative practices, such as yoga nidra.

Sukham; more go with the flow, relaxed, and usually finds it a challenge to get on with things as hoped/planned. To bring yourself into balance, consider more powerful yoga practices like Jivamukti, which will help to build strength and stamina, and add a sense of structure.

Spending time on our mats, dedicated to our yoga practice, is important for this because, as we learn to listen to ourselves on the mat, we learn to listen to ourselves off it. This is one of the aspects I love most about the practice: Its reach has the potential to go far beyond what we do on our mats.

Photo by Amauri Mejía on Unsplash

Of course, in life there will be times when we have little choice but to push forward.

Just as there will be times when we will have to relent and go with the flow.

And I believe, as it has been my experience, that this is where the magic of yoga is to be found. Because it has enabled me to implement the two forces more easily whenever I have required them.

By exploring balance in postures, and breathing through it all, whether I am finding the pose easy or uncomfortable, has enabled me to find the ability to sustain such situations off the mat; when I have been uncomfortable in other situations.

How about you?

It’s time to reflect upon your own practice and how it relates to how you live your life.

Be gentle with yourself. Remember, we’re not here to judge ourselves harshly or put ourselves down. We’re just observing and seeing what comes up.

If you’re a paying subscriber, please find The Sthira and Sukham Journal below.

As ever, please let me know how you get on with this. I’d really love to know.

So, until next week…

With kindness,

Louisa x

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References: This newsletter and journal were both inspired by an article I read called “Finding Balance on and off the mat” by Laia Bove on Eckhart Yoga.