Tips to Improve Balancing Postures

My balancing postures are forever on a roller coaster that goes from "killing it" to "I can't even stand up straight in Mountain Pose." The majority of time when I can't stay steady in a posture is ask myself the following questions:

1. Am I breathing?

Breath is so so so important in holding any posture.  I had the privilege of having an amazing teacher during my teacher training who always asked, "Are you breathing?" and the majority of the time she asked, I wasn't.  The second I lose my breath I begin struggling in my poses and in my practice. So the next time your'e struggling in tree or dancer's pose, or even poses like revolved crescent, ask yourself if you are breathing.

2. Where is my focus? 

Finding a non-moving point to focus on while balancing. During the past 8 weeks, my crow pose has come incredibly far and the main reason for that is because I've learned where to look in this pose.  If you want a bonus balance challenge use an internal focus instead of an external point-try closing your eyes and focusing on your breath. 

3. Is my core engaged?

Admit it, we've all done it.  You're near the end of your practice and you let your belly slump in your up dogs and down dogs.  Building core strength is such an important aspect of daily balancing, and essential to every pose in yoga. If you can't quite figure out how to "engage your core" here are a few ways to think about doing so a little differently: (1) "Hug" your front ribs together. OR (2) Exhale all the air in your lungs through your mouth until you feel your abdominal muscles engage.